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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Work closely with: Manufacturing Quality Training Engineering Site Operations Product Teams Data Scientists Technology & Digital Organizations External Vendors

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.

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.

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.

Prepare concise executive-level reports that communicate: Progress Against Objectives Program Milestones Key Risks Decisions Required Dependencies Next Steps

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.

Candidates should demonstrate experience in:

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Biotechnology Manufacturing

Manufacturing Digital Transformation

Agile Program Delivery

SAFe Framework

Release Train Engineering

Computer System Validation (CSV)

GMP Compliance

Data Integrity

Connected Manufacturing Platforms

OEE Programs

Process Analytical Technology (PAT)

Industrial Data Platforms

Pharma 4.0

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.

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.