Program Manager

The world isn’t standing still, and neither is ATS Life Sciences - We don’t follow the trends. We set them! 

 

Are you interested in being part of a team that makes a difference? Join our growing ATS Life Sciences Systems team a division of ATS Corporation, a publicly traded global enterprise with a proud history, we are helping advance the future with our factory-wide automation solutions. Within Life Sciences Systems, what we do matters – we custom design, build and service critical automated solutions for medical device and pharmaceutical companies. We are dedicated to assisting our customers in improving the quality of life for people around the world. When there is no room for error, and product failure is not an option, leading life sciences companies trust us to resolve their production challenges. 

 

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

Benefits:

• Compensation: $128,000 - $176,000
• Annual Performance-Based Incentive Bonus
• 5% RRSP match
• Stock purchase plan
• Starting 3 weeks of vacation
• Benefits package (health and dental) + $600 health spending account
• Half-Day Fridays
• Continuous learning and career growth with global mobility opportunities.
• A chance to contribute to something bigger - advancing the future of healthcare through automation.

MAJOR DUTIES: 

• Responsible for programs and large projects from receipt of purchase order through final installation and final customer acceptance. 
• Responsible for life cycle management of key customer programs and accounts: 
• Overall accountability for the entire program portfolio 
• Key customer contact at high level. 
• Continuity from project to project, site to site. 
• For selected programs, also reports to the Program Steering Committee. 
• Lead, manage and give direction to Senior Project Managers, Project Managers and Project Coordinators within assigned Project Portfolio 
• Foster and develop the project management team within given Program portfolio in a culture of teamwork and success. Utilize team resources in line with the project management strategy of consistently delivering customer solutions on time and on budget resulting in financial performance equal to or exceeding ASG Cambridge Systems Division business objectives.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead the program team to execute projects on schedule, at or below budget, delivering the contracted scope of work to all applicable codes and standards.
• Key customer contact for escalations within Program Portfolio. Responsible for customer satisfaction. Maintain regular contact (verbal and written) with key customer representative(s), ensuring all key program events and issues are documented in writing. 

Manage program risks, including: 

• Assessment and identification of risks. 
• Develop and implement Risk Mitigation Plan(s). 
• Forecasting. 

Program Planning:

• Develop suitable budget allocations for ATS labour and materials.
• Oversee program schedule development and identify all critical path activities.
• Conduct Initial Project Build Plan meeting. 
• Manage program resources. Ensure that adequate resources are assigned to all program tasks.

Program Financial Management:

• Estimates revenue recognition by quarter, ensures timely invoicing, and monitors receivables for all projects under their direction. 
• Working with the Financial Analyst, ensure that all billings and invoicing are submitted on time. Ensure that all program deliverables are accomplished and supporting documentation is prepared for each program milestone payment. Obtain necessary FAT, SAT any other customer approvals needed to enable on-time payment, including final payment and program closure. 
• Program Forecasting – prepare accurate financial and resource forecasts. Prepare reports as required by ATS Management. 

Team Leadership: 

• Demonstrate Extreme Ownership for all projects within their Program Portfolio 
• Encourage, lead, and mentor Program PM team to ensure overall continuity and efficiency is maintained at the highest level. 
• Lead by example. 
• Manage programs and program teams in accordance with all applicable ATS procedures. Ensure program teams follow the required procedures. Conduct regular team meetings and issue weekly program updates to the program team. 
• Coordinate the post project review process. 
• Share best practices. 
• Harmonization of practices.

Customer Relationship Management: 

• Customer advocate. 
• Deliver maximum customer satisfaction. 
• Develop long-term, enduring customer relationships. 
• Elevate customer issues when required to the next level of ATS management. 
• Partnership with ATS Account Manager to manage the customer. 

Management Reporting: 

• Participate in the employee evaluation process as it relates to Project Managers assigned to the Program Manager. 

Project Change Management:

• Track all contract changes and prepare CORs (Change Order Requests) as needed. 
• Review and approve PM generated CORs prior to send Approval Pack for Director level approvals 
• Ensure customer caused/requested changes are executed by the team only after receipt of customer agreement. 

Business Development: 

• Recognizes Change Order opportunities and executes in a profitable yet ethical way. 
• Supports sales with customer visits and presentations as required. 
• Assists in the development of existing strategic accounts.
• Promotes aftermarket service offerings and spare parts packages. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education: 

• A three or four-year Engineering degree or diploma or equivalent, specializing in electronics, electrical, mechanical or controls engineering is required.
• Completion of or in the process of achieving the Project Management Professional (PMP) designation is an asset.
• Second Business degree or diploma is an asset 

 

EXPERIENCE: 

• Must have experience managing automation programs in excess of $25 million with multidisciplinary teams. 
• Must have experience managing automation programs that involve multiple projects and managing Project Managers within those programs. 
• Must have a proven track record of providing positive leadership and coordination to a multi-disciplined project design and construction team. 
• Must have acted in a leading role with a minimum of five years’ experience in a variety of programs/markets on a multidisciplinary team.
• Must have a practical working knowledge of the automation industry and customer processes.
• Preference will be given to those who possess an excellent manufacturing or process engineering background, a superior mechanical aptitude and proven trouble-shooting skills.
• An ability to work effectively with customers according to deadlines and under pressure-filled conditions is essential.
• In addition, must be familiar with the use of computerized word processing software, spreadsheets and AutoCAD or similar drawing package.

KEY ATTRIBUTES: 

• Leadership
• Negotiator/Dealmaker 
• Problem-solver 
• Customer skills (management, satisfaction, relationship building) 
• Technical 
• Business knowledge and experience 

 

Compliance: 

• Ensure that all business activities are performed with the highest ethical standards and in compliance with the ATS Code of Business Conduct. 
• Safety – ensure that all project activities are conducted in accordance with ATS and legal standards. Ensure that a PSHSR is prepared and acted upon.
• Demonstrate leadership in Health, Safety and Environment compliance. 
• Hold team members accountable for health, safety and environmental compliance as part of the annual performance review process. 
• Ensure that the requirements of the health, safety and environment management system are implemented and maintained. 
• Carry out hazard assessments, inspections, and audits as required by legislative framework and/or corporate requirements. 
• Ensure that training is provided to all departmental employees are per established in the training matrix. 
• Implement appropriate corrective measures for unsafe conditions and unsafe acts. 
• Ensure that appropriate equipment, materials and protective devices are provided and maintained in safe condition. 
• Provide information, instruction and supervision to employees. 
• Take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of employees. 
• Attend HSE Due Diligence for Management training sessions. 
• Acquire global awareness of assigned key customer accounts beyond the local region. 
• Assist Applications Engineering with preparing quotations and customer interaction. 
• Attend the program status meeting as requested by the Director, Program Management. 

If you're excited about this role, but do not meet all the qualifications listed above, you are still encouraged to apply

 

Why YOU should join our ATS Life Sciences Systems team: 

We value our PEOPLE - The foundation of a great company is having the best team which is why we continuously work to develop, engage, empower and energize our people. The best people want to work with the best team - the best teams are diverse and inclusive teams.

 

What we do MATTERS - our Life Sciences projects contribute to improving the lives of people around the world! ATS has made a commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030! 

INNOVATION and PROBLEM SOLVING is at our core - Our pursuit of continuous improvement in everything we do. Our focus is on building diverse teams, stimulating innovation by challenging conventional thinking, encouraging fresh ideas and promoting creative problem-solving

We prioritize internal GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT - ATS offers endless opportunities for professional growth and development – with a tuition reimbursement program, individual development programs and a commitment to promoting from within - there is space for you to grow your career at ATS! 

 
We offer COMPETITIVE Total Rewards - Competitive starting salaries, overtime pay eligibility, paid vacation, Employee Incentive Bonus program, comprehensive health and dental benefits including Lifestyle Spending Account, 5% RRSP matching program and optional Employee Share Purchase Program 

The Compensation offered will be based on the local job market and may vary depending on factors such as the job-related knowledge, skills, experience of the selected candidate, as well as other objective business considerations. Subject to these considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as an annual cash incentive in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and/or other benefits. Details of these benefit plans will be provided when the selected job candidate receives an offer of employment.

A place to BELONG: We celebrate our uniqueness and ensure that all employees have equal opportunities for growth and development. We believe that unique experiences are essential for our success and innovation.

This role represents an existing vacancy within the organization.

 

ATS is in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA), 2005 and will, upon request, assist those who may require specific accommodations due to a personal disability. We would ask that those who require assistance to notify our offices as soon as possible if accommodation is necessary .

The ATS applicant tracking system may utilize AI software with pre‑defined, rule‑based filters to organize and manage application materials. Rule‑based filters operate solely on fixed criteria and do not perform autonomous evaluation or generate independent recommendations. All hiring decisions continue to involve human review and judgment.