Project Evaluation Manager - Torrance

About the role

This role is ideal for someone with a strong technical background in peptide chemistry, API development, or CDMO operations who enjoys translating complex technical requirements into clear project scopes, timelines, and cost evaluations. You will work closely with clients, internal subject-matter experts, operations, quality, regulatory, and commercial teams to assess customer needs and develop strong technical evaluations that support business growth.

Responsibilities

• Technical Evaluation of Client Requests
• Review and pre-evaluate client RFIs, RFPs, process descriptions, analytical packages, quality requirements, and other technical documentation.
• Absess peptide sequence complexity, synthesis feasibility, purification strategy, scale-up risks, and manufacturing considerations.
• Partner with internal subject-matter experts across Process R&D, GMP Manufacturing, QA, QC, Supply Chain, and Regulatory to define the technical scope and execution strategy.
• Deliver draft proposal evaluation reports to Sales, including technical scope, timeline, and cost assumptions.
• Proposal Development and Costing
• Translate technical assessments into comprehensive and client-friendly proposals.
• Develop proposal content related to work packages, including PR&D, scale-up, GMP manufacturing, analytical development, method qualification, regulatory support, CMC support, timelines, pricing, and project milestones.
• Support cross-functional costing exercises to align operational effort with financial and commercial targets.
• Ensure proposals are consistent, compliant, competitive, and aligned with PolyPeptide’s capabilities and strategic priorities.
• Client Engagement and Pre-Sales Support
• Participate in client calls, scientific discussions, and due diligence meetings.
• Clarify project scope, explain technical rationale, and refine proposal content based on client feedback.
• Support Business Development in positioning PolyPeptide’s technical capabilities, including SPPS, LPPS, hybrid synthesis, complex modifications, purification strategies, and HPAPI handling.
• Internal Collaboration and Alignment
• Serve as the technical counterpart to Business Development and Sales during client interactions.
• Facilitate internal review meetings with Manufacturing, Quality, Project Management, and other key stakeholders.
• Ensure quotations are aligned with capacity planning, equipment availability, operational readiness, and strategic business priorities.
• Support the development, implementation, and execution of global commercial processes and tools.
• Ensure evaluation and proposal activities comply with applicable legal, compliance, regulatory, quality, finance, and pricing standards.

Requirements

• Education: Master’s degree or PhD in Organic Chemistry, Peptide Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific field. MBA or additional business degree is a plus.
• Experience: 5 or more years of experience in peptide synthesis, process research and development, CMC development, or CDMO operations. 3 or more years of experience in proposal development, technical evaluations, tech transfer, project design, or a similar client-facing technical role.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of SPPS, LPPS, peptide purification, RP-HPLC, IEX, analytical development, and GMP manufacturing requirements. Ability to evaluate technical feasibility, identify project risks, and support practical execution strategies. Experience with peptide/API development and manufacturing in a regulated environment.
• Skills and Competencies: Ability to translate complex technical information into clear, accurate, and client-friendly proposals. Strong project scoping, risk assessment, and cost-modeling skills. Effective communication skills across scientific, operational, commercial, and client-facing teams. High attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong organizational skills. Ability to manage competing priorities and tight timelines in a fast-paced CDMO environment. Customer-focused mindset with strong presentation, negotiation, and collaboration skills. Ability to work cross-functionally in a global, matrixed organization.

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree or PhD in Organic Chemistry, Peptide Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific field. MBA or additional business degree is a plus.
• Experience: 5 or more years of experience in peptide synthesis, process research and development, CMC development, or CDMO operations. 3 or more years of experience in proposal development, technical evaluations, tech transfer, project design, or a similar client-facing technical role.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of SPPS, LPPS, peptide purification, RP-HPLC, IEX, analytical development, and GMP manufacturing requirements. Ability to evaluate technical feasibility, identify project risks, and support practical execution strategies. Experience with peptide/API development and manufacturing in a regulated environment.
• Skills and Competencies: Ability to translate complex technical information into clear, accurate, and client-friendly proposals. Strong project scoping, risk assessment, and cost-modeling skills. Effective communication skills across scientific, operational, commercial, and client-facing teams. High attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong organizational skills. Ability to manage competing priorities and tight timelines in a fast-paced CDMO environment. Customer-focused mindset with strong presentation, negotiation, and collaboration skills. Ability to work cross-functionally in a global, matrixed organization.

Skills

• Ability to translate complex technical information into clear, accurate, and client-friendly proposals.
• Strong project scoping, risk assessment, and cost-modeling skills.
• Effective communication skills across scientific, operational, commercial, and client-facing teams.
• High attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and tight timelines in a fast-paced CDMO environment.
• Customer-focused mindset with strong presentation, negotiation, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a global, matrixed organization.

Benefits

• Paid Holidays (13 Holidays)
• Paid Vacation Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Birthday Off
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Basic Life Policy & AD&D
• 401K (6% Matching)
• Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Student Debt Reduction Program
• Fresh Fruit Program

Company Values

• INNOVATION: We are curious and explore new ways. We are ambitious and find solutions.
• EXCELLENCE: We have a strong technical knowledge and we deliver results. We deliver quality in everything we do.
• TRUST: We believe in teamwork and collaboration. We lead by example and accept responsibility.

About PolyPeptide US

PolyPeptide is a specialized Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) for peptide and oligonucleotide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). By supporting its customers mainly in pharma and biotech, it contributes to the health of millions of patients across the world. PolyPeptide serves a fast-growing market, offering products and services from pre-clinical through to commercial stages. Its broad portfolio reflects the opportunities in drug therapies across areas and with a large exposure to metabolic diseases, including GLP-1.

Perks & Benefits

• Paid Holidays (13 Holidays)
• Paid Vacation Leave
• Paid Sick Leave
• Birthday Off
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Basic Life Policy & AD&D
• 401K (6% Matching)
• Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Student Debt Reduction Program
• Fresh Fruit Program