Principal Portfolio Project Manager
Vwr · Usa-Pa, United States
The Opportunity:
Avantor is seeking a highly experienced Principal Portfolio Project Manager to lead a portfolio of complex, global programs and capital investments within its Life Sciences business. This role is responsible for both portfolio management and project execution, ensuring strategic initiatives are appropriately prioritized, funded, governed, and delivered to achieve business objectives.
The position oversees multiple large-scale CAPEX and business transformation initiatives simultaneously, including projects related to manufacturing, engineering, operations, EHS, PSM, IT, real estate, supply chain, and commercial functions. The successful candidate will operate within a matrixed global organization, coordinating cross-functional teams, external vendors, municipalities, and suppliers to deliver projects that meet or exceed approved business case objectives.
In addition to leading individual programs and projects, this role will manage a portfolio of strategic investments, balancing priorities, resources, risks, and capital allocation to maximize business value. Projects may range up to $100M, requiring strong executive communication, strategic leadership, disciplined governance, and a proven track record of delivering measurable business outcomes.
How you will thrive and create an impact
Portfolio Management & Strategic Prioritization
o Manage a portfolio of strategic initiatives and capital investments across Engineering, Operations, EHS, PSM, Real Estate, IT, Supply Chain, and Commercial functions.
o Evaluate, prioritize, and balance project investments based on strategic alignment, business value, risk, resource availability, and organizational capacity.
o Partner with business leaders to develop and maintain multi-year portfolio roadmaps supporting Avantor's strategic objectives.
o Facilitate portfolio governance reviews, investment decisions, funding approvals, and executive prioritization discussions.
o Identify portfolio-level risks, dependencies, constraints, and opportunities to optimize value delivery.
o Develop executive portfolio dashboards and reporting to provide visibility into capital deployment, resource utilization, project performance, and business outcomes.
o Ensure portfolio investments align with approved business cases, operational priorities, and enterprise strategy.
Global Program Leadership
o Lead and manage multiple concurrent global programs and CAPEX projects across manufacturing and operational domains.
o Drive end-to-end project execution from concept through commissioning, qualification, startup, and operational handover.
o Ensure programs align with Avantor's strategic objectives, operational priorities, and Life Sciences growth initiatives.
o Lead global cross-functional teams without direct reporting authority to achieve program objectives.
CAPEX & Manufacturing Project Execution
o Manage projects involving process equipment, assembly systems, manufacturing technologies, automation, and facility infrastructure across global locations.
o Lead facility expansions, process improvements, equipment installations, operational efficiency projects, and capital investment programs.
o Support projects focused on EHS, PSM, IT, Commercial, Supply Chain, and Real Estate initiatives.
o Ensure technical solutions meet quality, compliance, safety, operational, and business requirements.
o Manage projects and programs that may exceed $50M in capital investment.
Stage-Gate Governance
o Drive projects through a structured stage-gate process, ensuring appropriate documentation, stakeholder engagement, approvals, and governance at each phase.
o Prepare and present business cases, project charters, gate reviews, and investment recommendations to senior leadership.
o Support enterprise portfolio governance processes to ensure projects are appropriately prioritized, funded, and aligned with corporate objectives.
o Lead executive reviews and provide recommendations regarding project continuation, acceleration, modification, or termination.
Financial & Schedule Management
o Maintain rigorous control of project budgets, forecasts, schedules, risks, and financial performance.
o Manage portfolio-level capital planning, forecasting, cash flow projections, and benefit realization tracking.
o Ensure projects achieve approved business case objectives and KPI targets.
o Develop and manage integrated schedules, proactively identifying and mitigating risks affecting cost and timing.
o Optimize allocation of capital and resources across competing initiatives.
Business Case Development & Benefits Realization
o Develop, validate, and maintain project business cases and investment justifications.
o Establish measurable KPIs and benefit realization targets for each initiative.
o Track actual business performance against approved commitments following implementation.
o Ensure projects deliver expected productivity, capacity, quality, compliance, cost reduction, and revenue objectives.
Stakeholder & Vendor Management
o Collaborate with stakeholders across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Commercial, EHS, and IT organizations.
o Manage relationships with external contractors, equipment suppliers, engineering firms, consultants, regulatory agencies, and municipalities.
o Support procurement activities, vendor selection processes, contract negotiations, and supplier performance management.
Leadership & Team Management
o Provide direct and indirect leadership to project teams across multiple regions and business functions.
o Influence stakeholders and leaders within a highly matrixed organization.
o Foster collaboration, accountability, transparency, and execution excellence.
o Mentor and coach project managers and team members on project management best practices.
Executive Communication & Influence
o Communicate project, program, and portfolio performance clearly and effectively to executive leadership.
o Deliver concise, data-driven reporting on portfolio health, capital deployment, project status, risks, and business outcomes.
o Build strong relationships with senior leaders and external partners.
o Present complex technical and business issues in a manner that supports informed decision-making and organizational alignment.
Change Management & Organizational Readiness
o Drive stakeholder engagement, communication planning, organizational readiness, and adoption activities.
o Ensure business operations are prepared to successfully transition into new processes, systems, and facility capabilities.
o Support sustainable implementation and realization of expected business benefits.
Independent Judgment & Advanced Problem Solving
o Operate with a high degree of autonomy and accountability.
o Independently plan and execute work while addressing complex issues, risks, and deviations.
o Analyze ambiguous situations involving operational, financial, technical, and organizational considerations.
o Apply strategic thinking and sound judgment to develop scalable solutions.
o Make significant recommendations regarding investment priorities, resource allocation, and execution strategies.
Expertise, Thought Leadership & Development
o Serve as a subject matter expert in portfolio management, capital program execution, project governance, and PMO best practices.
o Contribute to continuous improvement of project management methodologies, stage-gate processes, governance frameworks, and portfolio management practices.
o Provide coaching, mentoring, and informal training across the PMO organization.
What we're looking for
o Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Operations, Manufacturing, Business, or related discipline.
o Minimum of 12 years of progressive project, program, and portfolio management experience, including lea