Thoratec Switzerland GmbH is part of the medical device division of Abbott Laboratories, a fortune 500 company with over 115’000 employees worldwide. We are the global market leader for implantable and extracorporeal blood pumps based on magnetic levitation technology. Our life-saving systems, which we develop and manufacture in Zurich, are used for advanced heart failure patients needing short- or long-term circulatory support.
Our location in the heart of the city of Zurich has around 130 employees in the areas of development, quality and production of the CentriMag System and the HeartMate 3. We are looking for a motivated and talented Project Manager
Your Role & Impact
As an individual contributor, the Project Manager plans and manages projects focused on continuous improvement and sustaining engineering of products, manufacturing equipment, and processes from concept through completion. The Project Manager is responsible for all aspects of project planning, cross-functional coordination, and reporting.
The following activities are required as part of the Project Manager's normal job responsibilities:
Assess and fully understand management's direction to effectively address customer needs.
Plan and manage projects, including resource and risk management, to ensure completion on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
Support ongoing regulatory documentation and processes.
Mild travel is required for training, project planning activities, and stakeholder management (internal and external).
Provide technical support to other functions as required.
What You'll Do
Support the long-range strategic goals of Abbott Heart Failure (HF) and contribute to the effective operation and continuous improvement of the Project Management Office (PMO).
Lead projects in collaboration with cross-functional project team members and external stakeholders (e.g., suppliers and service providers).
Understand product processes and customer needs to continuously improve product performance (e.g., product requirements and specifications).
Direct and support technical activities, such as design changes, V&V testing, protocol releases, regulatory and patent submissions.
Apply project management best practices and Lean principles to improve products and processes in alignment with regulatory requirements.
Lead the planning, execution, and governance of Continuous Improvement (CIP) and Capital Expenditure (CapEx) initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, business priorities, and operational excellence goals.
Lead project initiation activities through the creation and presentation of data-driven business cases that support strategic decision-making and stakeholder alignment.
Provide financial stewardship for assigned projects through effective budget management, accurate forecasting, and timely month-end accrual reporting.
Manage high-priority strategic projects and regularly report project health status to the Project Management Office (PMO) and management. Effectively manage stakeholders both internally (e.g., project sponsors and steering committee members) and externally (e.g., suppliers and service providers).
Establish effective lines of communication and feedback with Manufacturing, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, Finance, Regulatory and R&D to ensure the timely identification, escalation, and resolution of issues that may adversely impact quality or reliability.
What We're Looking For
MS Engineering or equivalent knowledge.
3 – 10 years of experience in Engineering.
Advanced experience in project management and best practices.
Good understanding of regulatory and quality system requirements.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and present information effectively to stakeholders at all organizational levels, including senior leadership, while demonstrating strong project management soft skills.
Demonstrates a high degree of accountability, a proactive problem-solving mindset, and resilience in navigating complex and high-visibility project environments.
Strong financial management skills and business acumen, with the ability to manage budgets, develop forecasts, analyze financial performance, and support strategic decision-making.
Optional: Lean Six Sigma certificate.
We are looking for service-oriented person with a strong maker mentality who would like to be part of our enthusiastic team with broad responsibilities.
Do you have what it takes? Then send us your application including motivation letter, curriculum vitae, letter of recommendation and diplomas today. We are looking forward to meeting you in the heart of Zurich!
