Senior Project Manager – Manufacturing Technology & Digital Innovation

Our client is a global biopharmaceutical company with a major manufacturing site in Breda, the Netherlands. The site plays an important role in the production and supply of medicines and continues to invest in manufacturing capacity, technology, automation and digital innovation. As part of this ongoing development, the organization is working on projects that connect manufacturing, engineering, automation, IT/OT, digital systems and operational teams.

We are looking for a Senior Project Manager to lead complex technology and digital manufacturing projects from initial concept through implementation and operational handover. You will work across Engineering, Manufacturing, Automation, IT/OT, Quality, Validation and external suppliers, making sure technology projects are delivered on time, within scope and in line with the requirements of a regulated manufacturing environment. The projects can cover areas such as manufacturing systems, automation, digital manufacturing, data solutions and technology infrastructure.

This is a hands-on project leadership role for someone who is comfortable taking ownership, coordinating multiple stakeholders and driving projects from planning through to go-live.

Responsibilities: Lead complex manufacturing technology and digital projects from initiation to completion. Establish project scope, planning, milestones, resources, risks and dependencies. Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Automation, IT/OT, Quality and Validation. Drive technology implementation, system integration, testing, qualification and deployment. Manage external vendors, suppliers and system integrators.

Lead project meetings, workshops, design reviews and decision-making sessions. Monitor progress, budget, risks, issues and changes and take corrective action when needed. Ensure projects meet relevant GMP, validation, cybersecurity and data integrity expectations. Prepare teams and systems for implementation, go-live and operational handover. Provide clear updates and recommendations to both technical and business stakeholders.

Requirements: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Automation, Manufacturing Systems, IT, Project Management or a related discipline. 10+ years of project management experience within manufacturing technology, automation, digital manufacturing, IT/OT or capital projects. Proven experience delivering projects through design, implementation, qualification/validation and handover. Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment.

Strong experience managing cross-functional and matrix teams. Confident stakeholder and vendor management skills. Strong project planning, risk management and problem-solving capabilities. Able to communicate complex technical topics clearly to different audiences. Professional fluency in English. Experience within pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device or another highly regulated industry is highly relevant. Knowledge of MES, SCADA, automation, IT/OT integration, digital manufacturing, data platforms or Industry 4.0 technologies is a strong advantage.

PMP, PRINCE2, Agile or a similar project management certification is also beneficial.