Job Description
Job Description
About Company:
JC Automation Corp. (JCA) was founded in 1997 with the mission of filling a gap between technology and regulatory requirements in the life science manufacturing industry. The company offers highly capable resources at an affordable cost to build solutions and execute projects in: Automation, Control Systems Integration, Information Technology, System Integration and Regulatory Compliance.
JCA is a HUBZone Certified Small Business Firm, NMSDC Certified Minority Business Enterprise, and Certified Critical Industry Supplier. It’s mission is to add value by delivering quality services & solutions on time all the time by transforming processes & technology into business advantages.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are seeking a senior-level Portfolio Manager to provide strategic leadership and governance for a portfolio of capital projects executed within regulated GMP manufacturing environments. This role is accountable for ensuring projects are delivered consistently, in alignment with business objectives, compliance expectations, financial targets, and execution standards.
Operating primarily as a management and oversight role, the Portfolio Manager will lead a multidisciplinary project organization composed of Project Managers, Project Engineers, Commissioning & Qualification (C&Q) resources, Project Controllers, Project Coordinators, and Compliance resources. The ideal candidate possesses strong technical and project leadership expertise to provide guidance, challenge decisions when appropriate, and ensure projects are executed according to approved plans and industry best practices.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Portfolio Leadership: Lead and oversee a portfolio of capital projects executed across GMP-regulated manufacturing environments, ensuring delivery in alignment with scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards.
- Team Management & Development: Manage and develop a multidisciplinary project organization including Project Managers, Project Engineers, C&Q Resources, Project Controllers, Project Coordinators, and Compliance Resources.
- Governance & Standards: Establish project governance, operating cadence, reporting structure, and portfolio management standards across all projects. Promote standardization of project delivery methodologies and lessons learned.
- Portfolio Performance Monitoring: Monitor project health through KPIs, dashboards, forecasts, risk assessments, and portfolio performance reviews. Drive prioritization and allocation of resources to maximize delivery effectiveness.
- Escalation & Issue Resolution: Serve as the primary escalation point for project execution challenges, staffing constraints, schedule risks, compliance concerns, and stakeholder issues. Facilitate decision-making and remove organizational barriers.
- Financial Oversight: Oversee capital forecasting, portfolio budgets, financial tracking, and resource planning activities. Review and challenge financial performance assumptions and mitigation actions.
- Compliance & Quality: Ensure projects maintain compliance with GMP, EHSS, quality systems, validation requirements, and internal governance expectations throughout the entire project lifecycle.
- Stakeholder Management: Partner with clients, leadership teams, suppliers, and contractors to maintain alignment and transparency. Lead portfolio reviews and executive reporting on project status, risks, and strategic recommendations.
- Organizational Growth: Support organizational development by identifying capability gaps, succession planning opportunities, and team development initiatives.
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related technical discipline.
- Minimum 8 years of experience managing Capital Projects within GMP-regulated environments.
- Minimum 5 years of experience leading project organizations and managing multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing project portfolios and multiple concurrent capital projects.
- Proven track record leading Project Managers, Engineers, C&Q, Controls, Compliance, and project support functions.
- Strong understanding of project governance, portfolio management, resource management, and project controls.
- Experience managing project financials including forecasting, budgeting, cost tracking, and executive reporting.
- Working knowledge of the full capital project lifecycle: engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, qualification, validation, startup, and closeout.
- Strong understanding of GMP regulations, quality systems, and EHSS requirements in regulated manufacturing operations.
- Proficiency in project management and reporting platforms (MS Project, Smartsheet, Primavera, SAP, or equivalent).
- Advanced Microsoft Office 365 proficiency (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).
- Bilingual: English and Spanish.
Preferred
- PMP, PgMP, or equivalent portfolio/project management certification.
- Experience supporting large pharmaceutical or medical device organizations (J&J/Janssen, Kenvue, Amgen, BMS, or similar).
- Experience managing portfolios with multiple simultaneous projects and cross-functional teams.
- Familiarity with CQV, CSV, automation systems, digital manufacturing, and compliance programs.
- Experience in contractor management, staffing coordination, and regulated capital expansion programs.
SKILLS
Technical Skills
- Capital project portfolio management in GMP-regulated pharmaceutical environments
- Project lifecycle management: engineering, procurement, construction, C&Q, validation, startup, and closeout
- Project controls: cost tracking, forecasting, variance analysis, cash flow, and integrated project scheduling
- GMP, EHSS, quality systems, and regulatory compliance
- CQV and CSV familiarity — understanding of commissioning, qualification, and validation requirements
- Project management platforms: MS Project, Smartsheet, Primavera, SAP, or equivalent
- RFP development, change order management, and contract oversight
- Microsoft Office 365 — advanced Excel, PowerPoint, and reporting tools
Soft Skills
- Strategic leadership — ability to lead large, multidisciplinary project organizations and drive accountability
- Executive communication and stakeholder management across client, contractor, and leadership levels
- Decision-making under pressure with ability to challenge plans and escalate issues appropriately
- Coaching and mentoring — developing project managers, engineers, and technical teams
- Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent portfolios and shifting priorities
- Cross-functional collaboration across Engineering, Quality, Operations, Finance, and Compliance