Project Leader External Manufacturing; m​/f​/d

We are looking for an experienced Project Leader In External Manufacturing (m/f/d) in Rotkreuz.

Job Posting

Title:

Project Leader External Manufacturing (m/f/d) – (S) – RZ

In a global, cross‑functional environment, the External Manufacturing organization plays a key role in enabling high‑quality, reliable and innovative consumables used throughout the diagnostic workflow. The area is responsible for driving new product development, ensuring robust supply, managing product lifecycle activities, and building strong internal and external partnerships that ensure operational excellence and continuity.

As a Project Leader in External Manufacturing, you will work at the intersection of product design, industrialization, and supplier management. Together with your project team, you guide the end‑to‑end development of new consumables — from initial concept and requirements definition, through design and verification, to establishing manufacturing lines and processes at external partners, ensuring a seamless flow from raw materials to final packaged products.

Your leadership will directly support the delivery of reliable, innovative solutions that benefit laboratories and patients worldwide.

The perfect candidate brings a solid background in IVD product development and production engineering, combined with strong leadership skills and the ability to influence diverse stakeholders. Additionally, we are looking for someone who excels at communication, promotes diversity and inclusion, and fosters seamless collaboration within teams and across organizational boundaries.

• Manage and drive one or more product development projects, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and stakeholder expectations
• Define and deliver project outputs including product requirements, specifications, and technical documentation in close collaboration with internal teams and external manufacturing partners
• Identify project risks and issues early, lead mitigation activities, and conduct impact analysis to maintain project stability and compliance
• Plan and control project budgets, resources, and timelines, ensuring efficient allocation and adherence to project goals
• Monitor project progress against plans, ensuring timely and high‑quality delivery of all work packages, including those executed at external partner sites
• Lead and coordinate cross‑functional project teams within a matrix organization to foster collaboration, accountability, and effective execution
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers, facilitating seamless coordination throughout the product lifecycle

• M.Sc. or
  
  B.Sc. degree in Engineering, Natural Science or a related discipline (PhD also accepted)
• At least five years of proven experience in IVD product development and production engineering, including hands‑on involvement across the product lifecycle
• Strong knowledge of process management methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) and of in‑vitro diagnostics regulatory frameworks such as ISO 13485, IVDR and FDA 21 CFR Part 820
• Experience collaborating with external manufacturing partners and overseeing industrialization activities at supplier sites
• Ability to think strategically and systemically, with a high openness to trying new ideas and supporting change initiatives
• Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated track record of consensus building, conflict management and driving effective decision‑making in challenging situations
• Self‑motivated, autonomous, structured and goal‑oriented working style with the ability to balance short‑term mitigation and long‑term solutions
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to establish credibility, build rapport across all levels of the organization, and foster an inclusive and collaborative environment
• Executive presence, resilience under pressure, and a high degree of decisiveness
• English fluency is a MUST (spoken and written)
• Willingness to travel internationally (10–20%)

• Start date:
  
  1 May 2026
• Latest
  
  Start Date:
  
  1 August 2026
• Planned duration: 12 months
• Extension (in case of limitation): very likely
• Workplace:
  Rotkreuz
• Workload: 90–100%
• Home Office: 20–40%
• Travel: 10–20% International
• Team: 11
• Department:
  Business Support (DODCF)
• Working hours:
  
  Standard