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Technical Program Manager (Pharma) - Job Opportunity at GerTEK Project Management and Technical Services

Mayo, Ireland
Full-time
Senior
Posted: August 6, 2025
On-site
EUR 75,000 - 95,000 annually based on Ireland's pharmaceutical sector compensation for senior technical program management roles, considering the specialized nature of digital transformation in regulated manufacturing environments

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive end-to-end implementation of Electronic Batch Record (eBR) and Review by Exception (RBE) systems, driving strategic digital transformation across the entire manufacturing site over a two-year timeline
Develop and execute master project plans with rigorous milestone tracking and accountability frameworks, ensuring cross-functional team delivery against critical business objectives
Champion organizational change management initiatives by gathering complex business requirements, redesigning manufacturing processes, and building stakeholder consensus across multiple departments
Oversee comprehensive system validation processes ensuring full regulatory compliance with Quality and IT policies, critical for pharmaceutical manufacturing operations
Manage program budgets and develop sophisticated financial models to measure and report return on investment, demonstrating business value to senior leadership
Provide executive-level communication through clear and timely status updates to site leadership team and Director of Digital Transformation
Lead and mentor diverse cross-functional teams including internal resources and external contractors in complex matrix organizational environments

Requirements

Education

A Bachelor's Degree or higher in a relevant field (Engineering, Science, or Technology is a distinct advantage)

Experience

6+ years of experience in a manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, or process development environment

Required Skills

Proven experience in successfully planning and executing large-scale, complex projects Strong leadership skills with demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage with peers and senior management effectively

Certifications

A formal qualification in Project Management (e.g., PMP) is a plus, but not essential
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing unprecedented digital transformation driven by regulatory pressures for data integrity, manufacturing efficiency demands, and the need for real-time quality monitoring. Electronic Batch Records represent a critical evolution from paper-based systems, enabling better compliance, reduced human error, and enhanced traceability across manufacturing operations. Life sciences companies are increasingly investing in Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and digital manufacturing platforms to meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements and support Industry 4.0 initiatives. This shift is creating substantial demand for technical program managers who can bridge the gap between IT systems and manufacturing operations. Ireland's pharmaceutical sector, representing over 50% of the country's exports, is seeing massive investment in digital manufacturing capabilities as companies like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Novartis modernize their Irish operations to maintain competitive advantage in global markets.

Role Significance

Typically managing cross-functional teams of 8-15 members including IT specialists, quality engineers, manufacturing personnel, and external system integrators in pharmaceutical digital transformation projects
Senior-level position with significant strategic impact, evidenced by direct reporting to Director of Digital Transformation, autonomous decision-making authority, and responsibility for site-wide system implementation affecting core manufacturing operations

Key Projects

Enterprise-wide Manufacturing Execution System implementations Regulatory compliance system upgrades for FDA and EMA requirements Digital manufacturing platform integrations Quality management system modernization initiatives

Success Factors

Deep understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and regulatory requirements, particularly FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU GMP guidelines, essential for ensuring compliant system implementation Proven ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships across quality, manufacturing, IT, and regulatory functions while maintaining project momentum and resolving conflicting priorities Strong change management capabilities to drive adoption of digital systems in traditionally paper-based manufacturing environments, requiring cultural transformation alongside technical implementation Financial acumen to develop compelling business cases and ROI models that justify significant capital investments in digital manufacturing infrastructure

Market Demand

High demand driven by widespread pharmaceutical digitization initiatives and Ireland's position as a major pharmaceutical manufacturing hub requiring specialized technical program management expertise

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Pharmaceutical manufacturing process knowledge is absolutely essential as Electronic Batch Records directly impact product quality and regulatory compliance. Understanding of batch manufacturing, quality control procedures, and GMP requirements enables effective system design and validation. Project management expertise in regulated environments is crucial due to the complex validation requirements, stakeholder management challenges, and regulatory implications of system changes in pharmaceutical manufacturing operations. Change management and stakeholder engagement skills are vital for successful adoption of digital systems in traditionally conservative manufacturing environments where resistance to change can derail even well-designed technical solutions.

Beneficial Skills

PMP certification or equivalent project management credentials enhance credibility and provide structured methodologies for managing complex, multi-year digital transformation initiatives Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) or similar digital manufacturing platforms provides technical foundation for understanding system integration challenges and opportunities Financial modeling and business case development skills become increasingly important for senior roles requiring justification of significant capital investments in manufacturing technology upgrades

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to lead a complete digital transformation of manufacturing records systems, providing end-to-end experience with cutting-edge pharmaceutical manufacturing technology
High degree of autonomy and direct access to senior leadership, offering significant professional visibility and strategic decision-making authority
Two-year project timeline allows for deep expertise development in electronic batch record systems, a rapidly growing specialization within pharmaceutical manufacturing
Matrix management environment across internal teams and external contractors provides valuable experience in complex stakeholder management

Career Growth

Typically 3-5 years progression to director level, with successful large-scale digital transformation projects serving as key differentiators for advancement

Potential Next Roles

Director of Digital Transformation or Manufacturing Excellence Vice President of Operations or Manufacturing Head of Digital Manufacturing Strategy Senior Director of Quality Systems and Compliance

Company Overview

GerTEK Project Management and Technical Services

GerTEK operates as a specialized engineering consultancy focused on the life sciences sector, providing project management, commissioning qualification and validation (CQV) services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across Ireland and Europe

Mid-tier consultancy with strong regional presence in Ireland's pharmaceutical corridor, competing with larger global firms like Jacobs, AECOM, and Pharmaplan while offering more personalized service delivery
Strategic positioning in Mayo provides access to major pharmaceutical manufacturing sites including Allergan, Baxter, and other multinational life sciences companies establishing operations in western Ireland
Consultancy environment emphasizing client delivery excellence, project-based work structure, and high degree of professional autonomy typical of specialized engineering services firms
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