GMSx Manufacturing Workstream Lead – Release Train Engineer (RTE) / Program Manager

GMSx Manufacturing Workstream Lead – Release Train Engineer (RTE) / Program Manager (Remote)

Location: Canada (Remote)
Employment Type: Full-Time

About Cognizant

Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, helping clients modernize technology, reimagine processes, and transform experiences. We engineer modern businesses to improve everyday life. Our associates around the globe help clients build stronger, more agile, and innovative organizations.

Our Life Sciences practice partners with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to advance digital manufacturing, operational excellence, and business transformation. We help organizations leverage Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Industrial Data Platforms, Connected Worker technologies, Advanced Analytics, and Pharma 4.0 capabilities to improve quality, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Role Overview

Cognizant is seeking an experienced GMSx Manufacturing Workstream Lead – Release Train Engineer (RTE) / Program Manager to lead integrated planning, execution, and delivery coordination for a large-scale Manufacturing Transformation Program.

This role serves as both a Release Train Engineer (RTE) and Project/Program Manager, connecting manufacturing stakeholders, business leaders, site operations, product teams, technology organizations, and vendors to ensure successful delivery of strategic manufacturing initiatives.

The successful candidate will drive agile planning, cross-functional alignment, dependency management, and governance while supporting manufacturing modernization initiatives including MES implementations, Manufacturing Data Fabric integration, Golden Batch programs, Connected Worker solutions, OEE initiatives, and Process Analytical Technology (PAT) roadmaps.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience leading complex digital manufacturing programs within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or highly regulated life sciences environments.

Work Model

This position is fully remote within Canada, providing flexibility to work from home while supporting global manufacturing transformation initiatives.

The successful candidate will collaborate with stakeholders across manufacturing sites, business teams, technology organizations, and vendors throughout North America and globally. Occasional travel may be required for site visits, planning events, workshops, and key implementation milestones.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Delivery Management

• Lead integrated planning, execution, and delivery coordination for the Manufacturing Workstream.
• Develop and maintain the integrated workstream plan, release roadmap, milestones, resources, delivery schedules, and dependencies.
• Manage risks, issues, decisions, action items, and delivery commitments across multiple workstreams.
• Ensure delivery activities are aligned with strategic objectives, operational priorities, and measurable business outcomes.
• Drive accountability for execution across business, technology, and operational teams.

Agile Release Train Leadership

• Serve as the Release Train Engineer (RTE) supporting coordinated execution across multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Facilitate:
  • Program Increment (PI) Planning
  • Agile Release Planning
  • Cross-Team Coordination Meetings
  • Scrum of Scrums
  • Delivery Reviews
  • Retrospectives
• Promote agile delivery practices while adapting approaches to meet the needs of regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environments.
• Foster transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the program.

Manufacturing Digital Transformation

• Coordinate delivery and implementation of key manufacturing initiatives including:
  • Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
  • Electronic Batch Records (EBR)
  • Manufacturing Data Fabric integration
  • Connected Worker programs
  • Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) initiatives
  • Golden Batch capabilities
  • Advanced manufacturing use cases
• Partner with MES Program Leadership to support implementation activities and ensure critical dependencies are managed effectively.
• Drive readiness planning, implementation support, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with:
  • Manufacturing
  • Quality
  • Training
  • Engineering
  • Site Operations
  • Product Teams
  • Data Scientists
  • Technology & Digital Organizations
  • External Vendors
• Facilitate alignment between business requirements, technical capabilities, and operational priorities.
• Manage stakeholder communications, expectations, and decision-making processes.
• Resolve delivery challenges, conflicts, and cross-functional issues that may impact program success.

Dependency, Risk & Governance Management

• Provide visibility into program risks, blockers, resource constraints, and dependencies.
• Drive resolution of cross-functional delivery issues and escalations.
• Ensure governance processes support successful program execution and compliance requirements.
• Maintain transparency of delivery status and progress against defined objectives.

PAT Roadmap & Manufacturing Innovation Support

• Support evaluation and prioritization of Process Analytical Technology (PAT) opportunities.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement, vendor discussions, business-case development, and roadmap planning activities.
• Assess opportunities based on business value, strategic impact, technical feasibility, and implementation costs.
• Integrate approved initiatives into broader manufacturing transformation roadmaps.

Executive Reporting & PMO Coordination

• Prepare concise executive-level reports that communicate:
  • Progress Against Objectives
  • Program Milestones
  • Key Risks
  • Decisions Required
  • Dependencies
  • Next Steps
• Partner with PMO teams to support portfolio governance and enterprise reporting activities.
• Provide leadership teams with actionable insights and program status updates.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Information Technology, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Significant experience leading complex transformation programs within:
  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
  • Biotechnology
  • Medical Device Manufacturing
  • Regulated Life Sciences Organizations
• Proven experience serving as:
  • Release Train Engineer (RTE)
  • Program Manager
  • Agile Program Lead
  • Project Manager
  • Delivery Lead
• Strong experience supporting manufacturing digitalization initiatives.
• Demonstrated delivery experience involving:
  • Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
  • Electronic Batch Records (EBR)
  • Manufacturing Operations Systems
  • Shop Floor Technology
  • Industrial Data Platforms
  • Connected Worker Programs
  • OEE Initiatives
• Strong knowledge of:
  • GMP Requirements
  • Data Integrity Principles
  • Computer System Validation (CSV)
  • Quality Systems
  • Regulated Manufacturing Environments
• Exceptional stakeholder management, facilitation, and communication skills.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive alignment across cross-functional teams.
• Strong risk management, planning, and execution capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with:
  • Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
  • Golden Batch Programs
  • Process Performance Analytics
  • Digital Batch Record Transformation
  • Process Analytical Technology (PAT)
  • Pharma 4.0 Initiatives
• Experience supporting multi-site manufacturing rollouts and global deployment programs.
• SAFe® Certification or equivalent Agile-at-Scale certification.
• Experience implementing enterprise operating models within manufacturing organizations.
• Familiarity with advanced manufacturing analytics and digital manufacturing transformation programs.

Industry Expertise

Candidates should demonstrate experience in:

• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Biotechnology Manufacturing
• Manufacturing Digital Transformation
• Agile Program Delivery
• SAFe Framework
• Release Train Engineering
• Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
• Electronic Batch Records (EBR)
• Computer System Validation (CSV)
• GMP Compliance
• Data Integrity
• Connected Manufacturing Platforms
• OEE Programs
• Process Analytical Technology (PAT)
• Industrial Data Platforms
• Pharma 4.0

Salary and Other Compensation

The annual salary for this position is anticipated to be between CAD $110,000 and $140,000, depending on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law.

In addition to base salary, this position may be eligible for:

• Annual performance-based bonus
• Merit-based compensation increases
• Employee referral bonuses, where applicable

The compensation information provided is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify compensation information based on business needs and applicable laws.

Benefits

Cognizant offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Prescription Drug Coverage
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Vacation and Company Holidays
• Retirement Savings Programs (subject to eligibility)
• Parental and Family Support Benefits
• Employee Wellness Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development Opportunities
• Access to Training, Certifications, and Career Development Programs

Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and applicable provincial regulations.

Why Cognizant

• Lead high-impact manufacturing transformation initiatives for global life sciences organizations.
• Partner with industry leaders driving modernization and digital manufacturing excellence.
• Shape the future of MES, Connected Worker, OEE, and Manufacturing Data Platform strategies.
• Collaborate with executive stakeholders, technology leaders, and operational teams across global organizations.
• Access ongoing leadership development, professional training, and career advancement opportunities.
• Join a global organization committed to innovation, excellence, and improving patient outcomes.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all associates feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, color, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.