Project Manager 14 month FTC

Dechra Group; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An international veterinary pharmaceuticals company is seeking a Project Manager for a 14-month fixed-term contract. You will lead planning and execution of veterinary pharmaceutical projects while ensuring compliance with GxP and regulatory standards. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of project management experience in the pharmaceutical or life sciences sectors and possesses strong stakeholder engagement skills. This role offers significant benefits including healthcare and a competitive annual leave package.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Holiday purchase scheme

Healthcare

Employee Assistance Program

Life Assurance

8% Employer Pension Contribution

Enhanced Family Leave

Discounted Pet Food

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management experience, preferably in pharmaceuticals.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams.
• Proven track record of delivering validated systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end delivery of system implementation projects.
• Lead cross-functional project team through all phases.
• Ensure compliance with GxP and regulatory standards.

Skills

Project management experience

Stakeholder engagement

GxP/GDP compliance knowledge

Vendor management skills

Proficiency in project management tools

Familiarity with ERP or WMS systems

Fluent in English

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Life Sciences, Computer Science, or Engineering

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

SAP

Oracle

Manhattan

Job description

Project Manager 14 month FTC

Job Introduction

Thank you for checking out our vacancy, we're delighted you want to learn more about joining Dechra.

Why Dechra?

A career at Dechra is different. Sure, we're a growing global company with a presence in 27 countries but our purpose is simple - to achieve the sustainable improvement of animal health and welfare globally.

If you want to be part of a team that invests in your future and ensures you have the support to reach your full potential and thrive, please read on.

The Opportunity

Dechra is an international specialist veterinary pharmaceuticals products business. Our expertise is in the development, manufacture, and sales and marketing of high-quality products exclusively for veterinarians worldwide. This role provides the opportunity to lead the end-to-end planning and execution of a veterinary pharmaceutical change project. This role ensures delivery within scope, budget, and timeline, along with full compliance with GxP and regulatory requirements.

Role Responsibility

Project Leadership & Execution

• Manage end-to-end delivery of system implementation projects across pharmaceutical business functions (e.g., Manufacturing, Quality, R&D, Supply Chain).
• Lead the cross-functional project team through all project phases: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure.
• Define project scope, goals, deliverables, and success criteria in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain a detailed project plan, timeline, risk register, and resource plan.

Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate with internal stakeholders (Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, IT, Finance, Commercial etc.).
• Manage relationship with internal and external providers, including contract adherence, SLAs, and communication protocols.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all queries and updates.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Ensure all activities are compliant with pharmaceutical GxP standards, GDP, MHRA/FDA regulations, and internal SOPs.
• Oversee validation activities including equipment qualification, system integration, and process mapping.
• Support regulatory inspections and audits during and after transition.

Risk & Change Management

• Proactively identify and mitigate project risks and issues.
• Lead structured change control processes.
• Develop contingency plans and escalation procedures.

Communication & Reporting

• Deliver regular status updates to senior leadership and governance forums.
• Prepare project documentation, reports, and close-out summaries.
• Organize project meetings, workshops, and steering committees.

The Candidate

Here at Dechra we pride ourselves on being an inclusive employer. We know that individuals' unique background and experience can bring a wealth of variety and expertise to our global workforce. For this role, we're particularly keen to hear from those who have/are:

• Proven experience managing projects preferably in the pharmaceutical or life sciences sector.
• Strong understanding of GxP/GDP compliance, pharmaceutical supply chain and logistics, and quality standards.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and vendor management skills.
• Experience with project management methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP, Agile).
• Ideally some familiarity with ERP or WMS systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Manhattan).
• Proficient in project management tools (MS Project, Smartsheet, etc.).
• 5+ years of project management experience, with at least 2-3 years in pharmaceutical or life sciences environments.
• Proven track record of delivering validated systems in a regulated setting.
• PMP, PRINCE2 or Agile certifications preferred.
• Experience working with global or cross-functional teams.
• Fluent in English written and verbal.
• Ideally a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Life Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.

Additional Information:

• Occasional global travel may be required with this role.
• This role is based in the UK / remote.

What we can offer you:

• 33 days annual (inclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Healthcare
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life Assurance
• 8% Employer Pension Contribution
• Enhanced Family Leave
• Discounted Pet Food

About the Company

If a career at Dechra has piqued your interest, find out more at Dechra Careers.

Dechra is a growing, global specialist in veterinary pharmaceuticals. Our expertise is in the development, manufacture, marketing and sales of high quality products exclusively for veterinarians worldwide.

All applications received are reviewed by our internal talent acquisition team and we will get in touch if your skills and experience match what we're looking for. Should you not hear back from us within 28 days please don't be too disappointed - we may keep your CV on our database for any future vacancies which could be suitable, and we encourage you to keep an eye on our careers site. We value diversity within our global workforce and encourage an inclusive culture. Any questions or queries, please contact us at [e-mail]