Technical Project Manager, R&D

What You'll Do

• Coordinate and monitor R&D project activities, ensuring timelines, milestones, and dependencies are clearly defined and tracked.
• Maintain and regularly update the R&D project tracker, giving leadership full visibility into progress, workloads, testing status, and project risks.
• Prepare executive-level project status reports summarizing major updates, outcomes, and potential roadblocks.
• Serve as the central operational point of contact for R&D, ensuring alignment across stakeholders and consistent communication.
• Identify resource, packaging, or equipment needs that may impact project timelines and escalate promptly.
• Provide oversight to lab team members working on equipment and testing activities, ensuring alignment with project priorities and timelines.
• Manage cross-functional workflows involving packaging, scheduling, procurement, and production readiness.
• Support the team by ensuring loose ends across projects documentation, scheduling, supplies, packaging, and deadlines are proactively monitored and addressed.
• Assist with planning and coordinating new product launches, ensuring timelines are met and project components are fully prepared.
• Understand the timing and general concepts of analytical and formulation equipment (e.g., HPLC) in order to effectively coordinate team workflows, without requiring hands-on use.


Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Work closely with R&D, QA, Regulatory, and Production teams to ensure project milestones align with broader organizational priorities.
• Facilitate communication across departments, ensuring transparency and consistent execution of project plans.
• Support transitions of new formulations and products from R&D into production by coordinating timelines, documentation needs, and operational readiness.
• Partner with procurement and facilities teams to track supplies, materials, and equipment needs related to R&D operations.


Continuous Improvement
• Support implementation of standardized documentation, reporting, and communication tools to improve operational efficiency.
• Recommend improvements to workflow processes, reporting structures, and project management practices within R&D.
• Contribute to a collaborative and accountable environment that promotes operational excellence and innovation.


Qualifications
Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related scientific field.
• 3–6 years of experience in R&D operations, project management, product development, or technical program coordination.
• Experience in the food industry or consumer products strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with analytical or formulation environments (conceptual understanding; no hands-on scientific work required).


Skills:
• Strong organizational and project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent communication abilities for cross-functional coordination and executive reporting.
• Working knowledge of R&D or production operations, timelines, and process flow.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Smartsheet, or other project tracking tools.
• Proactive, adaptable, and comfortable overseeing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong ability to manage timelines, anticipate operational needs, and maintain structured workflows.


Perks
• 100% company-paid Medical, Dental, Vision premium coverage, plus Short-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• 401K with company match.
• Paid time off and company-paid holidays
• Enjoy free daily lunch


Work Environment
• This is a full-time, in-office and in-lab position based at our Elmhurst compounding pharmacy facility (5 days per week).
• Requires adherence to laboratory safety, documentation, and compliance protocols.
• Frequent collaboration with formulation scientists, analytical chemists, QA, and production teams.




This role bridges the gap between scientific execution and operational coordination. The R&D Scientist and Project Coordinator will help bring structure, accountability, and transparency to a growing R&D and analytical function, ensuring that scientific innovation continues to advance efficiently, accurately, and in compliance with regulatory standards.