PLS Senior Project Manager

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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).
• Acknowledge testing to initiate laboratory work when required.
• 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

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.
• 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.

Benefits

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.