Research Program Manager Jobs in Providence, RI (NOW HIRING)

Overview
The New Product Introduction (NPI) Program Manager is responsible for leading end-to-end program delivery for new products transitioning from R&D into manufacturing. This role ensures successful post-launch production by tightly managing program schedule, product requirements, budget, and cross-functional resources.
The NPI Program Manager serves as the central orchestrator across R&D, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial to drive execution, mitigate risks, and ensure readiness for sustained production.
This position reports to the Head of Program and Project Management with close interaction with the Taunton Site Director and Senior R&D associates.
Responsibilities
Program Execution & Governance
• Lead the full lifecycle of NPI programs from development through production readiness and post-launch stabilization
• Establish and maintain integrated program plans, milestones, and deliverables aligned to business objectives
• Oversee receiving site phase-gate acceptance, ensuring clear entry/exit criteria and decision-making rigor
• Provide structured program governance with regular status reporting, risk tracking, and escalation management
Schedule Management
• Develop and own the integrated NPI master schedule across all functions
• Identify critical path activities and proactively manage dependencies and constraints
• Ensure alignment of R&D timelines with manufacturing readiness and product transfer milestones
• Drive accountability for on-time delivery and escalate risks to timeline adherence
Product Requirements & Readiness
• Ensure product requirements, specifications, and success criteria are clearly defined, documented, and transferred
• Partner with R&D and Quality to ensure completeness of design outputs, documentation, and validation requirements
• Confirm manufacturing readiness, including process definition, work instructions, and acceptance criteria
• Drive closure of gaps in product definition prior to launch
Budget & Financial Management
• Track program financial performance and identify cost risks and opportunities
• Drive cost-efficient product transfer and launch execution
Resource & Cross-Functional Leadership
• Align with cross-functional teams (R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, EHS) to deliver program objectives
• Identify resource needs and resolve capacity constraints across sites and functions
• Act as primary liaison between stakeholders to ensure alignment and accountability
Manufacturing Transfer & Post-Launch Readiness
• Ensure complete and successful transfer of products into manufacturing, including all processes, materials, and documentation
• Oversee production readiness reviews and first-pass yield performance post-launch
• Drive rapid resolution of issues during initial production ramp
• Ensure long-term manufacturing stability and scalability
Risk, Issue & Compliance Management
• Ensure compliance with EHS, ISO, and regulatory standards throughout the NPI lifecycle
• Engage EHS and Quality early to proactively address risks to manufacturing and safety
Continuous Improvement
• Lead improvements to NPI and product transfer processes, including standard work and best practices
• Implement lessons learned and drive standardization across programs
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or related technical discipline (advanced degree preferred)
• 8+ years of experience in NPI, product transfer, or complex manufacturing program management
• Proven experience leading phase-gate product development and launch programs
• Strong understanding of manufacturing readiness, validation, and regulatory environments
• Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional teams and large programs
Company Description
Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, our innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across chemistry, physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, ensure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combating antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, our passionate team of ~16,000 colleagues turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide.
Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It benefits our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.