Project Manager

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Act as a central conduit for project communications between clients and Charles River staff for biologics testing projects. Coordinate project update meetings, calls, and status reports and create detailed meeting minutes; publish, and track, deliverables, and action items.
• Coordinate project start-up and key tasks such as kick-off meetings, project scheduling, and document and material transfers.
• Develop and maintain project timelines through collaboration with technical leads and site schedulers.
• Partner with operations/technical management to prioritize ongoing work to manage and meet competing project deadlines.
• Ensure accurate and efficient in-take and log-in of client samples and material; ensure compliance with internal SOPs and timelines to enable timely initiation of client testing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional representatives to track and disseminate ongoing project status, including additions and changes to the scope of work, for cost and billing purposes.
• Manage and control project scope, timelines, and budget, and when appropriate, submit scope changes and SOW revisions/amendments to client services team.
• Collaborate with sales colleagues to submit new SOW requests to client services team; may assist with scope and pricing reviews.
• Utilize project management software that allows timely and open communication of project status to all stakeholders. 
• Update various information systems related to project and customer data such as project trackers, timelines, and LIMS. 
• Oversee delivery of final reports and project documents to clients; monitor and track these tasks when completed by non-PM teams or staff.
• Collaborate with laboratory, finance, and accounts payable departments to ensure accurate and timely client invoicing and verify project pricing and completion in LIMS/SAP.
• Follow-up on discrepancies in client billing/invoicing and when needed request credit/debit memos to address billing errors.
• Field and respond to customer requests, inquiries, and complaints; able to identify when escalation or help is needed and can engage the appropriate colleagues.
• Participate in local/departmental committees and initiatives (i.e. process improvements, harmonization).
• Ensure adherence to pertinent regulatory requirements and to departmental policies, GMP practices, and procedures [SOPs, safety procedures and biosafety protocols].
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) or equivalent in project management, business, biological sciences, or related discipline. 
• Experience: minimum 4 years related experience in project management in a laboratory or research environment. Experience in a CRO/CMO preferred
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
• Other: Ability to multi-task, excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail. Possess analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Ability to prioritize and re-evaluate priorities as situations change. Working knowledge of computer software (MS Office, MS Teams, Excel, Smartsheet) and database experience preferred)