Associate Director of Project Services

About Company

At the heart of what we are, we are a small company that specializes in manufacturing personal care products. While we are much bigger now than what we were 20 years ago or even 5 years ago, our company was built on a belief that being small meant that we had to be faster than our competition, smarter, braver and of course, nicer. We knew that in order to make it, we had to produce products that our customers needed, in time, priced right, and with the highest quality. We knew innovation meant pushing the envelope on design and thinking. Most importantly, we knew that developing relationships meant building a reputation for coming through on promises and standing behind our product. That is who we are today and how we operate every day.

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Project Services is responsible for leading and executing the successful launch of new products, process improvements and technology transfers, with a strong emphasis on project management and risk mitigation. This role manages both Project Managers and a technical team, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to required quality standards. This position acts as the primary interface between cross-functional teams and Outside Sales for launch execution, overseeing risk analysis, line trials, and initial production activities.

The Associate Director of Project Services heads cross-functional meetings between R&I, Quality, Production, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Outside Sales.  They are responsible for development of OKRs that drive performance and evaluation based on those metrics.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

•  Ensure the safe and consistent execution of launches.
• Lead the Project Services team, including Project Managers and technical specialists, to drive successful project execution for new product launches and technology transfers.
• Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of projects from approval through commercialization, ensuring alignment with customer timelines and company objectives.
• Develop and implement robust risk assessments for product launches, identifying technical and operational risks and mitigation plans.
• Manage and oversee execution of line trials, ensuring successful scale-up to production, and resolve technical issues that may arise during trials.
• Oversee Packaging Engineering activities related to line trials, tooling, speed, yields, and clean setups for first production runs.
• Collaborate with R&I, Quality, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Sales to ensure cohesive execution of projects and alignment of technical and operational requirements.
• Maintain and track OKRs for project timelines, launch performance, and team effectiveness.
• Support coding and documentation processes for components, raw materials, bills of materials (BOMs), finished goods specifications, and assembly procedures.
• Promote continuous improvement in project execution processes, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and reduce time-to-market.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets for the department.
• Coach, mentor, and develop the Project Services team to build a high-performing, collaborative group.
• Establish strict timelines and assign deadlines to all activities included in taking an approved lab batch from lab-scale all the way to commercialization.
• Analyze risk and create risk assessments related to product launch feasibility, timing, and technical requirements.
• Maintain reliable and safe manufacturing systems while improving production rates, efficiencies, yields, costs, and changeovers.
• Collaborate with Sales to ensure communication with customers.

Technical Skills Required

• Comprehensive understanding of product development, product launch and product supply chains.
• Strong understanding of Quality systems and requirements for ensuring product quality.
• Strong understanding of stability and compatibility protocols.
• Advanced knowledge of production equipment and associated batching and filling capabilities.
• Strong knowledge of packaging materials, components, and testing methodologies.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project) skills.

Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 7+ years of experience in a cGMP personal care or cosmetic facility, preferably in contract manufacturing.
• Experience should include roles in developing, deploying, and managing production processes and applications, specifically in packaging or processing.
• Experience working with ERP or LIMS systems, preferably SAGE X3.
• 5+ years of experience managing direct reports.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to sit, balance, climb, stand, bend, squat, squeeze, kneel, turn, crouch, stoop repeatedly.
• Physically able to lift 50 pounds periodically.
• Frequent exposure to varying temperatures, loud noises, heavy machinery, fumes, airborne particles, electrical, chemicals, and moving parts.
• Frequent use of computer screen and headphones.