Project Manager - Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Interim Project Manager Consultant

Location: Carlsbad, CA (2-3 days onsite per week)
Duration: Immediate Start through March 1, 2027
Schedule: Hybrid; onsite 2-3 days per week initially, with potential flexibility as the engagement progresses
Industry: Skincare / Consumer Products

Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Interim Project Manager Consultant to provide immediate support to an overwhelmed Senior Project Manager and help drive critical product and operational initiatives across the organization. This consultant will be responsible for managing project plans, coordinating cross-functional teams, monitoring risks and timelines, and ensuring successful execution of key business initiatives.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on project management professional with at least 7 years of experience leading complex projects, preferably within consumer products, skincare, cosmetics, healthcare, or other regulated manufacturing environments.

Key Responsibilities
Lead and manage multiple projects from planning through execution and completion.
Develop, maintain, and drive detailed project plans, timelines, milestones, deliverables, and status reporting.
Coordinate cross-functional activities and ensure project objectives are achieved on time and within scope.
Monitor project budgets, resource requirements, timelines, and overall project performance.
Identify project risks proactively and develop mitigation strategies to minimize impact on cost, quality, and delivery schedules.
Manage relationships with external contract manufacturers, suppliers, testing laboratories, and other third-party vendors.
Facilitate project meetings, communicate project updates, and ensure accountability across stakeholders.
Support change management initiatives as needed to drive successful adoption of project outcomes.
Establish project management best practices and help create structure where formal PM tools and processes are still evolving.
Qualifications
7+ years of project management experience leading cross-functional projects.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in fast-paced environments.
Strong organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Experience building and maintaining project plans, schedules, risk logs, and executive status updates.
Ability to work independently while partnering effectively with leadership and functional teams.
Preferred Qualifications
Portfolio management experience.
PMP or other project management certification.
Experience working within regulated manufacturing environments.
Experience supporting skincare, OTC products, SPF, mineral sunscreen, dermatologist-dispensed, or clinically tested consumer products.
Experience working with project management tools such as Smartsheet, Asana, Monday.com, Jira, Microsoft Project, or PLM systems.
Experience working with external manufacturers, suppliers, and product development teams.Project Management, Proven Project Management, Project Budgets, Create Workflows, Schedule Project Timelines, Manage Timelines