Director, Project Management

The Swiss based Bachem Group is a public, innovation-driven company specializing in the development and manufacturing of pepTides and oligonucleoTides. As a full service provider Bachem offers products for clinical development and commercial applications as well as a comprehensive catalog and exclusive custom synthesis. With 50 years of experience and subsidiaries in Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan, Bachem is the partner of choice for the biotech and pharma industry worldwide.
Bachem. Leading Partner in Tides

In order to continue our organic growth, we are constantly looking for talent.

Your Responsibilities

The Director of Project Management is responsible for leadership of the Project Management Department at Bachem. The Director supports Project Management activities, is responsible for optimization of Project Management business processes and tools and is responsible for the development of the Department to maximize the effectiveness of the Project Management team and positively impact its interactions with customers and internal stakeholders and achieve the business needs of Bachem and its customers.

Your Tasks

• Provides leadership to the project management team at Bachem Americas
• Directs the delivery of customer facing projects within cost, time and quality requirements
• Establishes and maintains a high level of departmental services for both the internal organization and external customers
• Works with functional leadership of stakeholders to ensure successful execution of contractual commitments
• Represents the department in support of developing and attracting new business in collaboration with Business Development
• Works with direct reports to develop, gain approval, and execute on the project strategy ensuring the customers and internal stakeholder commitments are met
• Plans and controls the departmental budget
• Anticipates and identifies complex issues which pose a challenge to achieving strategic goals; proposes and implements plans to resolve such issues and execute corrective actions
• Develops the organization to meet future business needs for both internal and external customers
• In close collaboration with the Global Project Management team, develops and maintains project management systems, tools and processes fit for a global project management organization.
• Develops and implements continuous improvement and optimization initiatives across the department
• Works with team members to develop and achieve short term and long term personal and organizational goals
• Develops employees according to their strengths and the requirements of the organization
• Models Bachem leadership principles in leading and developing the department
• Performs other duties, as required.

Your Profile

• BS or MS degree in Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering or related scientific discipline. Advanced degree (such as MBA) preferred.
• 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or CMDO industry with at least 5 years of experience in leading teams and cross-functional management activities within the industry, and at least 3 years managing a team of project management professionals, or equivalent combination of education and experience in R&D, manufacturing and customer communications.
• 5-10 years’ experience in Project Management field
• Strong leadership skills with ability to translate strategy into action
• Demonstrated direct line management responsibilities and leading of cross-functional teams
• Expertise in developing and managing project plans including scope, deliverables, schedules, risks and resource requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to take accountability and empower individuals and teams to make effective decisions aligned with organizational and customer objectives
• Experience in negotiating contracts with third parties
• Ability to develop and mentor effective teams
• Demonstrated ability to help teams anticipate, plan and adapt to an evolving environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with all levels within the company
• Demonstrated ability to effectively organize, multitask, and work in a fast-paced, deadline driven work environment
• Solid understanding of project management principles and business processes
• Strong time management, planning and organizational skills
• Ability to travel approximately 20% of the time, including international travel
• Advanced knowledge and demonstrated capabilities in Microsoft Project, Word, Excel and other reporting and tracking tools. Experience with CRM and ERP software is a plus.

Preferred

• In-depth knowledge of peptide and oligonucleotide process development and manufacturing

Candidates for positions as US employees of Bachem Americas, Inc. (“Company”) must be in the process of or fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and provide the Company with proof of vaccination as a condition of employment, except for U.S. employees who request and qualify under applicable law for disability and religious accommodation from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. An applicant who receives an offer of employment from the Company for a position as a U.S employee will be required to provide proof of vaccination status, or request and receive a disability or religious accommodation for which the applicant is entitled under applicable law, before their first day of employment or any later deadline specified by the Company in the offer letter. The Company is an equal opportunity employer and provides employment opportunities and makes employment decisions without regard to an individual’s disability, religion or on any other basis prohibited by law.