PLS Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager – Pharmaceutical Analytical Outsourcing

Shift: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Are you ready to work making the world a safer, healthier place? Join our mission to continuously move science forward; to innovate and advance all aspects of our business to improve the health and safety of our communities and lives.

This is a full-time, hybrid position located in Oakdale, MN, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Compensation: $70,000 - $80,000 per year

Make an Impact. Build a Career.

Pace® Life Sciences delivers a comprehensive suite of contract CMC development, CTM manufacturing, regulatory compliance, consulting, and facility support services to the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and gene therapy industries. Operating across a network of CDMO sites, GMP analytical testing laboratories, and manufacturing support centers, we partner with clients to efficiently advance programs from early development through commercialization.

Our experienced industry experts and continued investment in state-of-the-art facilities reflect our commitment to quality, speed, and reliability. United by a shared purpose, we bring meaningful value to patients, healthcare professionals, and health businesses worldwide by delivering services that support a safer, healthier future.

Summary

The Senior Project Manager plays a critical role in delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring the successful execution of complex analytical testing projects. This position serves as the primary liaison between clients, laboratory teams, and sales staff, facilitating clear communication, managing project milestones, and ensuring all work is completed on time, within scope, and in compliance with industry standards.

The Senior Project Manager will oversee large and technically complex projects, coordinate cross-functional resources and maintaining a high level of scientific and operational understanding. This role supports multiple Pace® Life Sciences Analytical Outsourcing laboratories across Oakdale MN, Lebanon NJ, Morrisville NC, and San Germán PR.

Essential Functions

The following duties represent the core responsibilities of the role; additional tasks may be assigned as needed.

Project Leadership & Execution

• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and budgets for analytical testing projects.
• Serve as the primary client contact for project updates, deliverables, issues, and scope changes.
• Support sample management for large or complex projects, ensuring regulatory and project-specific requirements are met.
• Update and maintain project status, cost details, and client information in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Approve testing to initiate laboratory work when required.

Client Engagement & Communication

• Lead client meetings, including preparing agendas and distributing meeting minutes.
• Host on-site client visits and support sales team activities as needed.
• Liaise with quoting and sales teams to initiate new quotes for scope changes or additional work.
• Provide specialized analysis and interpretation of data results to clients.
• Communicate project risks, issues, and progress to stakeholders with clear recommendations.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to industry standards, regulatory requirements, and internal quality protocols.
• Collaborate with QA and clients to support timely completion of investigations and CAPAs.
• Maintain accurate and accessible project documentation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate with laboratory, QA, sales, and operational teams to ensure efficient resource allocation and timely project completion.
• Track client account health and escalate concerns to management when necessary.
• Contribute to site forecasting by providing financial updates and projections for ongoing and upcoming work.

Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Provide guidance and support to project team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and support implementation of best practices.
• Promote a positive, cooperative work environment aligned with Pace® values and mission.
• Comply with all Environmental Health and Safety requirements.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, or related scientific field required; advanced degree preferred.
• PMP certification is a plus.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in project management or technical operations, preferably in analytical testing or a laboratory environment.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience will be considered.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong organizational and time management abilities with experience managing multiple complex projects.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a commitment to customer service excellence.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Extensive knowledge of analytical testing methodologies, instrumentation, and laboratory operations.
• Ability to interpret and communicate complex scientific data.
• Familiarity with pharmaceutical industry standards and analytical testing requirements preferred.
• Experience with regulatory compliance and quality systems (ISO, GLP) is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated tact, discretion, and professionalism in client and team interactions.

Other Requirements

• Performs all other duties as assigned.
• Supports and promotes the mission, values, and culture of Pace® Life Sciences.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mobility to work in a lab and office setting, use standard office and lab equipment and stamina to sit for extended periods of time; exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or move objects; vision to read printed materials and computer screens; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a lab and office setting. Work is subject to chemicals, fumes, gases, noxious odors, and related items in a lab and sample setting.

Find Your Place at Pace - We need you - your curiosity, your talents, and your drive - to help us advance this important work.

BenefitsWhen you join Pace®, you commit to work that makes a positive impact on our communities and our world. We commit to supporting you with benefits and perks that make a positive impact on your life. Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program which includes competitive salaries, medical, dental vision, 401K retirement savings plan (100% vested immediately in the employer match), life, disability and voluntary benefits, paid time off for holiday, sick and vacation days, HSA, wellness program, flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, Employee Assistance program, parental leave, optional legal coverage and ID theft.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Pace® provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, creed, color, religion, genetics, protected veteran status, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.