Program Manager

Job#: 3036082

Job Description:

Applications Program Lead (Contract | Manufacturing Factory Stand-Up - Regulated Industry)

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Applications Program Lead to drive the end-to-end delivery of manufacturing and enterprise application capabilities for a new factory stand-up over a 2-year program. This role will lead the replication, modernization, and deployment of critical systems from an existing site to a new facility within a regulated tobacco manufacturing environment.

The Program Lead will own the application workstream across MES (TrakSYS), WMS (Blue Yonder), SAP integrations, and supporting plant systems-ensuring alignment with engineering commissioning, validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), and production readiness milestones. This position requires strong program leadership, cross-functional coordination, and hands-on execution across multiple phased go-lives and final decommissioning of the originating site.

Travel requirement: ~50% between locations.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Execution

Lead the application program workstream for greenfield factory deployment, aligned to construction, commissioning, and production timelines.

Develop and execute integrated program plans, including phased go-live strategy, cutover, hypercare, and stabilization.

Manage scope, schedule, risks, dependencies, and stakeholder alignment across IT applications workstream.

Provide executive-ready status, risks, and decision points to leadership.

Manufacturing & Enterprise Applications Delivery

Lead poc, build, deployment, and integration of:

oMES (TrakSYS)

oWMS (Blue Yonder)

oSAP (ERP integrations)

oSupporting plant systems (labeling, reporting, shop-floor data, quality systems)

Replicate and optimize application capabilities from current site to new factory.

Ensure all solutions meet regulated environmental requirements (traceability, auditability, compliance).

Architecture, Infrastructure & Licensing

Partner with IT infrastructure and architecture teams to design and deliver:

oApplication environments (servers, storage, compute)

oDatabase platforms (performance, HA/DR, backup/recovery)

oSystem integrations and data flows across plant and enterprise systems

Lead software licensing consolidation, compliance, and cost optimization across both sites.

Requirements, Testing & Business Readiness

Lead business and functional requirements development (BRDs, user cases, traceability).

Own UAT strategy and execution:

oTest planning, script development, execution, defect management, and sign-off

Drive business readiness:

oSOP alignment, role mapping, training plans, and user adoption support

Validation & Commissioning (QT / Engineering Alignment)

Partner with Engineering and Quality to support validation activities, including:

oAlignment to IQ/OQ/PQ milestones

oDocumentation and evidence required for regulated system readiness

Ensure applications are synchronized with equipment commissioning and line qualification schedules

IT Relocation & Deployment (Plant + Office)

Develop and execute relocation plans for all IT assets, including:

oPrinters (incl. label), scanners, HMIs, end-user devices

oMonitors, sit/stand stations, peripherals, and collaboration tools

Coordinate device staging, provisioning, asset tracking, and floor deployment.

Site Decommissioning

Lead decommission of application systems and IT assets at the current location:

oApplication shutdown, data archival/retention

oLicense termination or reallocation

oHardware disposition and documentation closeout

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

Manage system integrators and key vendors (MES, WMS, SAP ecosystem).

Ensure delivery quality, timeline adherence, and documentation completeness.

Drive cross-functional alignment and decision-making across business and IT leaders.

Key Deliverables

Fully operational application ecosystem supporting new factory launch

Successful execution of multiple phased go-lives with minimal disruption

Validated and compliant systems aligned to regulatory requirements

Consolidated and optimized licensing and infrastructure footprint

Clean decommission of legacy systems and site assets

Required Qualifications

10+ years of experience leading large-scale IT/application programs in manufacturing environments

Proven experience delivering greenfield or multi-site factory deployments

Deep experience with:

oMES (TrakSYS preferred)

oWMS (Blue Yonder preferred)

oSAP integrations

Strong background in:

oRequirements management, UAT, and business readiness

oComplex system integrations and plant deployments

oProgram governance, risk management, and executive reporting

Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment (tobacco, pharma, food, or similar)

Demonstrated ability to support IQ/OQ/PQ or equivalent validation processes

Strong stakeholder leadership and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with shop-floor/OT systems, data historians, labeling/print systems

Familiarity with industrial networks and plant device deployment

PMP or equivalent program management certification

Experience with multi-site IT consolidation or carve-out programs

Working Conditions

Contract Details

Duration: 18-24 months

Work Model: On-site required and off-hour support required during key deployment phases

Travel: 30-50% as needed for site coordination and cutover support

Hybrid of plant floor, construction/commissioning environment, and office settings

Travel required (~50%), with increased presence during:

oCommissioning

oUAT cycles

oGo-live and hypercare periods

Short Posting Summary

Lead the deployment of MES (TrakSYS), WMS (Blue Yonder), SAP integrations, and plant applications for a new regulated manufacturing facility. Own requirements, UAT, validation alignment (IQ/OQ/PQ), infrastructure coordination, multiple go-lives, IT relocation, and legacy site decommissioning. Contract role with ~50% travel.

Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

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