PROJECT MANAGER II

Primary Purpose

The Project Manager II leads cross-functional projects from initiation through completion, ensuring that project scope, milestones, deliverables, and customer expectations are clearly defined and achieved. This position manages project planning, execution, resource coordination, risk management, and stakeholder communication to support successful delivery within approved timelines and budgets. The Project Manager II supports New Product Introduction (NPI), product development, technology transfer, and commercialization activities, coordinating internal teams and customers to advance projects into commercial manufacturing. This role also contributes to the development and continuous improvement of Formulated Solutions' Project Management Office (PMO), including standardized tools, processes, and reporting practices.

Project Planning and Execution

• Lead assigned projects through initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout.
• Define and document project scope, objectives, deliverables, assumptions, constraints, and acceptance criteria with customers and internal stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, milestones, dependencies, and resource requirements.
• Coordinate responsibilities across project teams and establish clear ownership and accountability for deliverables.
• Monitor project performance against approved scope, timelines, budgets, and customer commitments.
• Identify resource constraints and coordinate with functional leaders to resolve competing priorities.
• Maintain accurate project records, action logs, decision logs, and status reports using approved tools.

New Product Introduction and Commercialization

• Coordinate NPI projects from development through manufacturing readiness and commercial launch.
• Partner with Product Development, Analytical Research and Development, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Operations to align project activities.
• Coordinate timelines for material and packaging readiness, analytical testing, scale-up, technology transfer, validation, and required documentation.
• Track launch readiness requirements and confirm that required reviews, approvals, and outstanding actions are addressed before progression to the next project phase.
• Identify technical, operational, material, or scheduling issues that could affect commercialization and coordinate resolution with appropriate subject matter experts.
• Facilitate the transition of completed projects to commercial operations and customer account teams, communicating ongoing responsibilities, commitments, and unresolved risks.

Customer and Stakeholder Communication

• Serve as the primary project contact for assigned customers and internal stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain clear communication regarding project scope, progress, milestones, risks, and decisions.
• Lead project kickoff meetings, technical reviews, status meetings, and closeout discussions.
• Prepare and present project updates outlining accomplishments, upcoming activities, schedule changes, issues, and recommended actions.
• Document meeting outcomes, assign action items, and follow up to ensure timely completion.
• Respond to project inquiries and coordinate technical responses with the appropriate functional experts.
• Escalate significant issues and decisions requiring leadership support or approval.

Risk Management and Change Control

• Identify, assess, and monitor project risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Develop mitigation and contingency plans with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Facilitate problem-solving activities to resolve issues affecting scope, quality, cost, resources, or delivery.
• Assess proposed project changes for their impact on timelines, budgets, resources, technical requirements, and customer commitments.
• Coordinate required reviews and approvals before implementing changes.
• Maintain current project plans and communicate approved changes to affected stakeholders.

Financial and Resource Coordination

• Track assigned project budgets, expenditures, and financial commitments in collaboration with Finance and functional leaders.
• Monitor customer fee-for-service milestones and confirm completion and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with Finance and Commercial teams to support accurate, timely billing.
• Identify potential cost overruns, unplanned work, or changes requiring revised customer agreements and escalate appropriately.
• Coordinate project resource needs with department leaders while respecting functional reporting responsibilities.

PMO Development and Continuous Improvement

• Support the implementation and consistent use of PMO standards, templates, tools, and reporting practices.
• Identify opportunities to improve project planning, execution, communication, and delivery.
• Promote repeatable processes that reduce rework and improve consistency across projects.
• Facilitate lessons-learned discussions and incorporate relevant improvements into future projects.
• Contribute to departmental goals, procedures, and performance measures.

Critical Skills and Abilities

• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate with customers, technical teams, and leadership.
• Ability to lead cross-functional activities and influence results without direct supervisory authority.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Effective analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to understand engineering, laboratory, product development, and manufacturing information sufficiently to coordinate activities and recognize issues requiring technical review.
• Sound judgment in identifying risks, resolving issues, and escalating concerns.
• Adaptability to changing requirements, priorities, and business needs.
• Consistent attention to detail, accountability, and follow-through.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and OneNote.
• Working proficiency in Microsoft Project or comparable project scheduling and tracking software.
• Ability to maintain project dashboards, schedules, action logs, and financial tracking tools.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation and translate cross-functional inputs into actionable project plans.