Associate Director, Core Team Leader, Pharmacy Automation

About the Role

BD’s Pharmacy Automation portfolio covers a wide range of hardware and software technologies, including storage and dispensing robots, pouch packagers, vial filling systems, blister card production systems, inspection systems, central fill solutions, and enterprise pharmacy management software solutions. The Program Manager/Core Team Leader leads the cross-functional Core Team and Extended Team in executing all aspects of product development projects over the complete product life cycle—from inception through development, transfer to manufacturing, post-launch commercialization, and sustaining the product.

The role is ultimately responsible for the execution, quality, and results of the project and the success of the resulting product in the market, ensuring core products within the platform are supported. Responsibilities include creating project work breakdown structures, integrated project plans, project charters, and managing day-to-day team activities, progress tracking, budget management, and risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Apply extensive technical expertise and full knowledge of cross-functional disciplines to develop technical and business process solutions to complex problems.
• Execute milestone-based program planning (Daily Standup, risk register management, Gantt chart planning) for both sustaining and product development projects.
• Apply agile concepts (Daily Standup, Sprint Planning, Sprint Retrospectives, Sprint Reviews, PI Planning, etc.).
• Lead complex product development initiatives with functional and multifunctional teams, modifying methodologies for quicker, validated results.
• Define program resource needs and project plans to execute prioritized work within the platform/portfolio.
• Prepare project contracts, Target Product Profiles (TPP), business cases, and influence leadership to secure cross-functional resources.
• Lead the core team, hold team members and leadership accountable for resource allocation and task delivery.
• Own the platform product roadmap and ensure delivery of each element of the product development pipeline.
• Ensure structured design and development processes, compliance with quality management systems, and alignment with regulatory requirements.
• Prepare and deliver balanced, data-driven presentations for interim, gate, and critical business reviews.
• Align product value proposition, program scope, and strategic business objectives.
• Architect projects, incorporating all cross-functional elements to meet product and project requirements.
• Ensure timely and effective governance mechanisms, including core team meetings and technical/commercial reviews.
• Identify and manage project risks, ensuring timely mitigation and resolution with stakeholders.
• Lead cross-functional problem resolution, including root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions.
• Challenge the Core Team to rethink assumptions and approach challenges creatively.
• Build high morale and ensure team commitment to target goals by creating a common purpose.
• Provide leadership updates at phase gate reviews and key project milestones.
• Implement strategic and technical direction for the product/project/portfolio cross-functional core team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience leading complex, multiyear new product development programs in a matrix organization.
• Demonstrated experience with milestone-based program planning, including Gantt chart planning and risk register management.
• Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Experience managing complete product life cycles from inception through development, manufacturing, launch, and post-launch sustainment.
• Track record of managing project budgets and delivering programs on time, within budget, and meeting quality standards.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all organizational levels.
• Understanding of quality management systems and regulatory requirements in product development.
• Demonstrated analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, including root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MBA or other business/technical/management degree).
• Experience in pharmacy automation, medical devices, or healthcare technology sectors.
• Experience leading hardware and software integrated products, particularly in automation, robotics, or dispensing systems.
• Hands-on experience with agile methodologies (Daily Standup, Sprint Planning, Sprint Retrospectives, Sprint Reviews, PI Planning).
• International experience working across multiple geographies and cultures.
• Experience with complex technology portfolios, including storage/dispensing robots, pouch packagers, vial filling systems, blister card production, central fill solutions, and enterprise software.
• Experience developing business cases, integrated business plans, and Target Product Profiles (TPP).
• Certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional), Agile/Scrum, or Six Sigma.
• Experience managing multimillion-dollar programs with varying degrees of size, cost, complexity, and risk.
• Proven track record of building high-performing teams, mentorship, and elevating team performance.
• Experience owning platform roadmaps and managing product development pipelines.
• Background in large capital equipment manufacturing and commercialization excellence.

Skills

• Exceptional leadership to elevate cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional performance.
• Strong communication skills (verbal, written, and presentation) with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences.
• Analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead teams through team building, mentorship, and cross-functional leadership.
• Skill in setting clear objectives and metrics to drive consistent, high performance.
• Ability to facilitate and nurture high-performing team dynamics.
• Skills to engage, influence, and direct all functions involved in product development.
• Exceptional influencing skills to achieve goals without direct authority across functions, geographies, and cultures.
• Ability to balance on-time delivery, budget, quality, and market/customer expectations while articulating necessary tradeoffs.
• Expertise in integrated program planning, tactical project execution, risk management, and communication.
• Strong time management, self-control, continuous learning, and adaptability.
• Ability to synthesize disparate data points into sound business decisions and clarity in ambiguous situations.
• Critical thinking throughout the project development journey and team leadership.
• Ability to condense complex issues into easy-to-understand messages.

Schedule

This role requires a minimum of 4 days of in-office presence per week to maintain BD’s culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations. Remote or field-based positions will have different workplace arrangements.