Project Manager - Analytical Services/CRO - Inhalation & Nasal

Spherical Search have partnered up with a well-known Analytical Services/CRO company who specialise in the inhalation and nasal drug delivery space, working with a range of pharmaceutical companies and drug delivery device developers. My client is currently looking for a Project Manager to work at their Cwmbran site. This would be a hybrid role with the option to work from home some days.

ROLE OVERVIEW

• To manage the delivery of the revenue generating portfolio of work for our customers, internally and externally efficiently and effectively.
• Forming temporary teams within the company to bring about the successful completion of defined deliverables for our customers.
• To manage and support the delivery of internal and research/development projects as required when part of the active portfolio.
• Maintain and improve project management processes, supporting or leading their establishment and development as required.
• Work closely with project teams to align timelines, ensure deliverables are achieved, provide excellent customer service and customer-experience when working with us.
• Lead the technical teams to deliver on their commitments within the timeframes/budgets identified, limiting the impact of scope-creep and additional costs/wastes.
• Manage customer complaints, issues or challenges robustly, swiftly and decisively, seeking senior support if required in a timely manner.
• Liaise with other department leaders to define, prioritise, and progress projects, supporting effective resource deployment.
• Forecast and report accurate financials for client accounts.
• Effective communication of all projects to all required parties, including internal stakeholders, resource managers, customers, suppliers and senior leadership.
• To enhance the reputation of the company continuously.

JOB DETAILS / RESPONSIBILITIES

Job descriptions cover approximately 85% of a role, and are not an exhaustive list of responsibilities and duties. You are expected to carry out other activities that are within reasonable scope of the role.

BASICS

• Always promote company’s best interests by the positive and effective manner in which you perform your duties.
• Maintain an up to date training record and submit to your line manager at least every 6 months for review, making updates and amendments as necessary.
• Read and Understand all assigned SOPs via the QMS system in the timeframe specified.
• Ensure confidential information pertaining to the company is not divulged to 3rd parties without appropriate legal framework or permission.
• Use of IT equipment (e.g. phones, laptops, etc.) is in line with the appropriate company policies.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leading the planning, implementation, and delivery of projects within the company portfolio.
• Working with resource leaders (Heads of Department/Principal Scientists) to form project teams and manage the resources for delivery.
• Planning and scheduling project delivery timelines and expectations with customers.
• Ensuring deliverables meet the required specification and quality definitions within the contract.
• Ensuring project management processes, systems and expectation are fully complied with in the project lifecycle demonstrating full oversight and control of a programme (e.g. decision logs, meeting minutes, invoicing, deliverables entries, SAP interactions).
• Managing changes in scope of a project diligently and swiftly, preparing documentations, communication and ensuring the customer relationship is enhanced through diligent change management practices.
• Tracking of project performance and taking corrective actions needed (e.g., deliverables, onboarding, etc.).
• Managing client relationships in line with our values, while ensuring positive customer-experience is conserved.
• Evaluating project outcomes and measurement of successes, supporting the advancement.

PEOPLE

• To inspire all departmental team members by personal example and good work ethic, ensuring alignment to the work being conducted to the values, vision and core strategy.
• Accountable for ensuring training plans are followed.
• Ensuring absences are logged and tracked in the system and are not in conflict with any other team members or key events.
• Accountable and responsible for ensuring adequate resource levels are available vs. the portfolio, recruiting new team members as required.

SCIENCE & RESEARCH

• Participate in any relevant conferences and training packages to enhance technical understanding.
• Act as a PM for R&D projects when accepted as part of our active portfolio, working with internal stakeholders to deliver non-revenue generating deliverables.

QUALITY & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

• Ensure all assigned Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are read and understood within the requested timeframe, seeking clarification on any points not understood or that can be executed practicably immediately.
• Contribute to the authoring of SOPs and Business Operating Procedures (BOPs) as required.
• Review and approve SOPs and BOPs for areas you and your group are involved in.
• Ensure periodic reviews are conducted in timely manners and are not delayed.
• Ensure your training record is up to date and complete at all times (audit ready).

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• To identify inefficiencies and improvements in workflows, processes and systems honestly and promptly.
• To complete improvement projects on-time, to-track and in-full, where assigned.

CUSTOMERS & SERVICE

• To seek to reduce cost and waste whenever possible.
• To coordinate and host on site client visits and teleconferences.
• Attend any offsite meetings/conferences deemed necessary.
• Ensuring the on-time and in-full completion of revenue generating tasks wherever possible including mitigating challenges effectively.
• Ensuring you communicate plan changes/challenges quickly to relevant stakeholders.
• Ensuring excellent client relationships are maintained or enhanced as projects and work progresses.
• Communicating issues on projects and programs immediately to project team and customers if required (ensuring unsanctioned or unapproved work does not continue).
• Ensuring work being conducted by the team is within scope of the current contract.
• Ensuring work outside of the current contracts is not progressed without customer/senior management approval and captured in change orders as required.
• Lead by example, treating our customers ethically, with respect and demonstrating exemplar levels of honesty and integrity with the work we do.
• Manage our customers’ expectations realistically and ensure commitments are honoured, communicating expediently when they cannot be.
• Ensure project review meetings are held at an appropriate time across the duration of the project, with the appropriate key stakeholders in attendance.

HEALTH SAFETY & THE ENVIRONMENT

• Ensure any accidents are logged correctly (accident book or EHStar) and promptly.

SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES

• Ensure systems and processes are fit for use always, challenging and improving if necessary, supporting the properly managed change/improvement process.
• Responsible and accountable for ensuring you follow all defined systems and processes completely, adhering to process steps and requirements.
• Ensure issues with IT systems are logged with a ticket. Do not allow issues to continue without resolution.
• Drive adherence to recognised revenue and invoicing commitments each month in order to meet targets as closely as possible.
• Ensure invoicing and reporting of financial figures is accurate and compliant to relevant guidelines.
• Understand and adhere to financial regulations and processes as they pertain to your work.

CAPABILITIES & TECHNOLOGY

• Ensure excellent levels of housekeeping to ensure standards are maintained after you have conducted work in those areas.
• Ensure issues, problems or improvements with the use of the facilities is communicated to the Operations Coordination group promptly, supporting improvements if necessary.

ROLE CONTEXT

COMMUNICATION & COLLABORATION

• To ensure good communication and collaboration with all other groups on:
• Resource management and planning.
• Health, Safety and Environmental concerns.
• Training and Personal development.
• Business Development and new opportunities and clients.
• With customers on how their programs are progressing and supporting prompt issue resolution.
• Managing and sharing the facilities and capabilities.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATION

• Preferably a degree in a science, pharmacy or relevant discipline of grade 2.1 or above.
• Preferably Project Management qualification (APM, Prince 2 or equivalent).

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Proven project management experience of a minimum of 1 year and willingness to work collaboratively to achieve results.
• Demonstrated proactive and organised approach, able to exert influence over those whom they do not have direct authority and proven ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks.
• Excellent customer related experience and client facing skills.
• Ability to communicate and work with personnel of all levels, internally and externally.
• Proven flexibility in adjusting to a rapidly evolving workload and remaining calm under pressure.
• Displays adherence to and promotion of the company values at all times.