Sr. Project -Manufacturing Engineer (Alajuela, Costa Rica)

Life Unlimited. At Smith and Nephew, we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living

This role is responsible delivering and leading different programs ranging from small-scale to complex, large-scale engagements, related mostly to new raw materials, suppliers, dual sourcing, and any program related to advanced engineering.

Responsible for the proper leadership, execution of processes, materials, qualifications/validations, and project management, and the proper use of project and prioritization models. Must comply with the company QMS and international medical devices standards. Must lead and manage cross-functional teams across multiple functions such R&D, DQE, QA, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Tooling & Automation, and Regulatory Affairs, among others, owning and driving all the deliverables within the Program Life Cycle of several programs at the same time.

What will you be doing?

• 50% Coordinate a portfolio of projects, handling changes and interventions to maintain the portfolio's progress, and serve as the main point of reference for the overall health and savings pipeline.

• 30% Develop project documentation including procedures, timelines, documents related to validations (IQ, OQ, PQ, PPQ, Change Control documents etc) datasheets test records etc.

• 20% Monitor program progress and ensure that program deliverables are of the highest quality, meeting or exceeding client expectations.

What will you need to be successful?

Successful candidates would need the following:

Education:

• Bachelor´s Degree in a relevant engineering field

​Experience:

• > 3 years in Project Management, desirable at least 2 years as ME

Competencies:

• Proficiency in English (verbal and written).

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills

• Proven ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously, balancing priorities effectively

• Problem-solving mindset with the ability to adapt to changing program requirements and teams’ leadership.

• Leadership capabilities to guide program teams and collaborate with clients.

• Proactively look at and beyond own team for opportunities to improve

• Attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality results.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Ability to work independently, within a team, and collaboratively across teams.

• Good communicator with active listening skills.

• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities

• Proven people management skills in leading project team members, supporting succession planning, and team development.

• Capable of prioritizing and help to prioritize multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

• Ability to efficiently cope with change and manage risks and uncertainties

• Experience in leading complex, multifaceted projects successfully

• Strong interpersonal and negotiating skills

• Qualification / Validation knowledge.

• Strong teamwork spirit and ability to teach and train co-workers in project management. Proactively prioritize and support personal development and the team´s development.

• Invest in time training, coaching and mentoring others

• Share timely and appropriate feedback and support.

Technical/Functional:

• Scope Assessment and Resolution: Proficiently assesses program scope, identifies gaps in requirements, and efficiently resolves them.  Remove barriers and simplify ways of working.  Provide clarity of objectives, KPIs, priorities and what is required to deliver.

• Effective Planning: Develops comprehensive work breakdown structures, aids in accurate estimations, validates estimate confidence, and consolidates them into a robust program schedule, that fits business needs. Accountable for keeping teams’ performance on track through effective delegation workload and resource management

• Program Finance: Demonstrated track record of managing program budgets and financial resources to ensure successful program delivery; identifies gaps and efficiently resolves them. CAPEX process leadership & management by planned schedule.

• Optimizing Critical Path: Demonstrates the ability to optimize the critical path to enhance program efficiency and timely delivery, per company needs. Able to manage personal time and empower others to take accountability for decisions and outcomes.

• Problem Solving and Decision Making: Identifies program-related problems, selects appropriate solutions, and promotes action to ensure program progression.  Work across teams to remove barriers, find root causes and solve problems.

• Risk Management: Recognizes active program risks, vigilantly monitors risk triggers, and executes predefined contingency plans when required. Escalations on time and to the proper quorum. Critically challenge, support and review risks and opportunities.

• Scope Management: Proficiently manages scope changes, driving discussions about scope versus schedule/budget and reaching conclusive decisions.

• Resource Negotiation: Skilled in negotiating necessary resources: human capital, budget allocation, or equipment, considering the larger organizational program portfolio.  Drive continuous review and lessons learnt culture in teams.

• Variance Analysis: Expertly identifies deviations between planned and actual program outcomes across dimensions (scope, schedule, quality, risks), taking corrective actions as needed.

• Estimation Techniques: Applies various estimation techniques to refine future program planning, improving accuracy and predictability.

• Proficient Tools Utilization: Demonstrates proficiency in MS Program, as well as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Minitab, and internal tools as Ariba, Esker, SAP, etc.

• Data Analytics & Automation: Able to contribute and appreciate the need of centralized database - previously executed projects/ program with simple dashboard to pick and choose type of product, complexity, schedule, effort, cost, quality, good practices and pitfalls for future references.

 Leadership:

• Applies Business Acumen: Demonstrates a deep understanding of Wide Area Networking Business, able to uncover and articulate the program's business case effectively. Take ownership for clarifying customer needs and taking appropriate action.

• Strong Teams Building: Establishes and nurtures a sense of camaraderie and motivation within the program team and amongst the cross functional teams.  Build diverse, inclusive and respectful teams, with a sense of real belonging, seek and value different perspectives.

• Stakeholder Relationship: Develops positive working relationships across various stakeholders, fostering collaboration and achieving shared goals.  Make time to listen, understand and adapt to the views and opinions of others

• Clear Role Definition: Defines and assigns roles and responsibilities within the program team, ensuring clarity and accountability. Develop trust across the team collectively and individually.

• Effective Communication: Listens attentively, comprehends, and executes decisions with precision, involving relevant stakeholders for quality outcomes.

• Decisive Leadership: Takes proactive and assertive steps to make well-informed decisions, considering potential impacts on program outcomes.

• Influence and Conflict Resolution: Influences and gains consensus in challenging situations, navigating conflicts towards constructive resolutions.  Emotionally and behaviorally aware, understands their impact on others and moderates the behaviors appropriately.  Proactively address challenging situations and have difficult conversations and  Empower and challenge others to act in the best interest of our company.

• Change Management: Initiates and leads to change efforts, addressing resistance and setbacks, and fostering an environment of constructive debate.

Inclusion + Belonging - Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving. Learn more about our Employee Inclusion Groups on our website https://www.smith-nephew.com/

Other reasons why you will love it here!

• Your future:  stock purchase program, referral bonus, subsidy in transport and food, recognition program.

• Work/Life Balance: Extra days off, birthday off, voluntary hours.

• Your Wellbeing: company doctor, medical insurance, gym, health campaigns, employee assistance program, parental leave,  

• Flexibility: Hybrid work model (for more professional roles), flexible schedules.

• Training: Training program, unlimited learning.

• Extra perks: employees association, and more…