Consultant, Manufacturing Project Manager,… at Novanta · Irvine

Consultant, Manufacturing Project Manager, Region-for-Region Location: Irvine, CA Build a career powered by innovations that matter!  At Novanta, our innovations power technology products that are transforming healthcare and advanced manufacturing—improving productivity, enhancing people’s lives and redefining what’s possible.  We create for our global customers engineered components and sub-systems that deliver extreme precision and performance for a range of mission-critical applications—from minimally invasive surgery to robotics to 3D metal printing. Novanta is one global team with over 26 offices located in The Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.  Looking for a great place to work?  You have found it with a culture that embraces teamwork, collaboration and empowerment.  Come explore Novanta. Job Summary​ As an external consultant, you will serve as Manufacturing Project Manager and lead region‑for‑region (R4R) manufacturing programs to localize production, expand capacity, and reduce supply risk across global regions. You will translate engineering drawings, BOMs, and specifications into clear manufacturing requirements and supplier capability needs. You will identify, qualify, and ramp suppliers while managing project plans, milestones, risks, dependencies, and readiness reviews. You will drive cross‑functional execution across Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain to deliver on cost, quality, delivery, and scalability targets. Primary Responsibilities Lead region‑for‑region manufacturing programs from design transfer through production readiness. Develop and manage detailed project plans, milestones, risks, dependencies, and mitigation actions. Review engineering drawings, BOMs, and specifications to translate design intent into manufacturing capability requirements. Identify, evaluate, and onboard domestic and international suppliers based on technical capability and regional fit. Coordinate supplier qualification, readiness reviews, and manufacturing ramp‑up activities. Partner cross‑functionally to resolve tradeoffs related to cost, lead time, quality, and manufacturability. Track manufacturing readiness through documented evidence and structured reviews. Proactively identify manufacturing and supply chain risks; lead root cause analysis and corrective actions. Maintain clear program documentation, action logs, and stakeholder communications. Required Experience, Education, Skills, and Competencies 8+ years of experience in manufacturing project management, operations, supply chain, or industrial engineering. Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and supplier management. Proven experience working with domestic and international suppliers. Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications. Strong program management, organization, and attention to detail. Effective cross‑functional communicator with the ability to drive alignment and execution. Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related field. Travel Requirements Up to 50% travel, including domestic and international travel. Physical Requirements Ability to work in manufacturing environments, including standing and walking. Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and wear required PPE or clean‑room gowning. Compensation & Benefits: The hourly bill rate will be contingent upon the external consultant's SOW. Depending on the position offered, annual bonuses and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of the total compensation package. Novanta supports all aspects of your life’s needs, offering a comprehensive suite of medical, financial, and wellness benefits designed to enhance your quality of life. Novanta is proud to be an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, military and veteran status, disability, genetics, or any other category protected by federal law or Novanta policy. Please call +1 781-266-5700 if you need a disability accommodation for any part of the employment process.