The posting
Project Manager – Operations
Location: Lyngby, Denmark
Do you have a proven track record of turning complex operational challenges into tangible results? Are you motivated by getting close to manufacturing operations, analysing performance and working with teams to implement improvements that make a measurable difference?
We are looking for a Project Manager who combines strong analytical and problem-solving capability with the drive, resilience and hands-on approach required to deliver outcomes in complex manufacturing environments.
If you enjoy taking ownership, solving difficult problems and seeing your work translate into improved operational performance, this could be your next career move.
The position
As a Project Manager, you will work as part of our internal operations and manufacturing consulting team, delivering complex improvement, operational readiness and ramp up projects across our global manufacturing network.
This is not a traditional PMO or project coordination role.
You will be expected to get close to the operation, spend time on the shop floor, understand what is really happening within the production environment and use data and structured problem-solving to identify opportunities for improvement.
More importantly, your responsibility does not end when the solution has been identified. You will work alongside manufacturing teams and stakeholders to turn recommendations into actions and deliver tangible operational outcomes.
Our projects are typically intensive assignments, with project teams substantially dedicated to one project at a time. Assignments will often run for six to twelve months and can sometimes continue for longer.
Your key responsibilities will include:
• Taking ownership of project workstreams and operational improvement initiatives from diagnosis through to implementation and delivery.
• Driving operational readiness and ramp-up of new production lines, helping manufacturing operations achieve stable target performance.
• Working directly with manufacturing sites and shop-floor teams to understand operational challenges and identify bottlenecks, losses and improvement opportunities.
• Analysing operational performance data and developing capacity models, process maps and improvement scenarios.
• Translating complex analysis into clear recommendations, practical implementation roadmaps and measurable actions.
• Driving implementation and following improvements through to tangible operational outcomes.
• Working with production teams to establish sustainable changes in performance and ways of working.
• Collaborating with stakeholders across manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain and site leadership.
• Influencing stakeholders and maintaining momentum when implementation is challenging or priorities change.
• Communicating progress, risks, recommendations and outcomes clearly to relevant stakeholders and project leadership.
This is a hands on role. You should be comfortable moving between analytical problem-solving and the realities of implementation on the manufacturing shop floor.
The position is based in Lyngby, Denmark, and requires flexibility for up to 50% global travel.
Travel requirements will depend on project assignment and may change throughout a project. The ability and willingness to travel flexibly according to business and project requirements is therefore an essential requirement of the position.
Qualifications
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate a proven track record of delivering outcomes, rather than simply participating in projects.
You combine strong intellectual and analytical capability with the practical judgement, resilience and persistence required to turn ideas into results.
To succeed in this role, you:
• Hold a relevant degree in engineering, science, business administration, economics or another relevant discipline.
• Have relevant professional experience within areas such as manufacturing, operational excellence, operations consulting, engineering, supply chain, procurement or complex cross-functional project work.
• Can demonstrate a proven track record of taking ownership and delivering tangible outcomes through projects, operational improvements or complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrate strong analytical and structured problem-solving capability.
• Are comfortable personally analysing operational data and using it to identify performance gaps, bottlenecks and improvement opportunities.
• Can translate analysis into practical recommendations and then follow those recommendations through implementation.
• Are comfortable working hands-on with manufacturing sites and shop-floor teams.
• Can operate effectively in complex and ambiguous environments where the solution may not initially be obvious.
• Demonstrate strong stakeholder management, collaboration and communication skills.
• Have the resilience and persistence to continue driving change when implementation is difficult or initial solutions do not deliver the expected results.
• Are professionally proficient in English.
• Are able and willing to travel globally for up to 50% of your time according to project requirements.
Relevant experience from operations or management consulting can be particularly valuable, including experience gained within operational practices or projects.
We are also interested in candidates from complex manufacturing environments such as pharmaceuticals, automotive, aerospace and FMCG, particularly where you have worked with operational improvement, production ramp-up, manufacturing performance or Lean ways of working.
Pharmaceutical manufacturing, GMP and validation experience are advantageous but are not essential.
Experience working within a Lean manufacturing environment can also be beneficial. Formal Lean certification is not required.
Likewise, formal project management qualifications such as PMP or PRINCE2 are not a requirement. We place greater emphasis on your demonstrated ability to structure problems, work with people, take ownership and deliver measurable outcomes.
About the department
You will join Drug Product Manufacturing Excellence, a global unit responsible for driving performance improvements, operational readiness and transformation across Novo's manufacturing network.
The team operates as an internal operations and manufacturing consultancy, supporting our manufacturing organisation with complex operational challenges.
Our colleagues bring diverse professional backgrounds, including operations and management consulting, Novo manufacturing and support functions, and industries such as automotive, aerospace and FMCG.
What brings the team together is the ability to combine analytical problem-solving with hands-on implementation.
Our projects can include operational readiness and ramp-up of new production lines, improving capacity and performance within existing operations and solving complex cross-functional manufacturing challenges.
Rather than managing several projects simultaneously, our project teams are typically substantially dedicated to one assignment, allowing them to work closely with the operation and remain involved from diagnosis through to implementation.
As a Project Manager, you will have meaningful ownership within these assignments and will be expected to demonstrate that your work ultimately translates into operational outcomes.
The role provides significant exposure to different manufacturing environments, functions and senior stakeholders across our global organisation and offers opportunities to progress towards increasingly complex project and leadership responsibilities.
Working at Novo
Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. To do this, we approach our work with determination, constant curiosity and a commitment to finding better ways forward. For over 100 years, this dedication has driven us to build a company focused on lasting change for long-term health. One where diverse thinking, shared purpose and mutual respect come together to create extraordinary results. When you join us, you're not just starting a job – you're becoming part of a story that spans generations.
What we offer
There is, of course, more on offer here than the uniqueness of our culture and the extraordinary results we produce. Being part of a global healthcare company means opportunities to learn and develop are all around us, while our benefits are designed with your career and life stage in mind.
Salary and benefits
Salary: For this role, the Annual Base Salary ranges from 651,000 to 956,900 DKK, corresponding to the level of the position.
The placement within the salary range will be assessed during the recruitment process based on the candidate's skills, competencies, knowledge, and relevant experience.
Incentives and Benefits
The salary package may include short-term and/or long-term incentives as well as other employee benefits based on position level, location, functional area and relevant market benchmarks.
More information
Please apply in English and refrain from adding a photo to your CV to ensure fair and efficient processing.
We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.
At Novo, we recognise that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we're life changing.
We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.
