About this role
At Thorne, we work to deliver high-quality, science-backed solutions to empower individuals to take a proactive approach to their well-being. Each day begins with a mission to help others discover and achieve their best health. We count on our team members to challenge and push the boundaries to make that happen. At Thorne, you’ll be joining a team of more than 750 passionate individuals committed to our cause of providing superior health solutions at every age and life stage. The R&D Tech Ops Project Manager is responsible for leading complex, cross-functional projects within the Technical Operations segment of Thorne’s Research & Development organization. This role manages multiple workstreams from idea through launch using Thorne’s Stage Gate process, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with established quality and operational requirements. Projects may include production optimization, quality and compliance initiatives, consumer expectations, cost savings and business continuity, core product growth, technology transfers, and line extensions. The R&D Tech Ops Project Manager establishes project plans, timelines, milestones, risks, and deliverables while creating alignment and accountability across project teams. Working closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Brand, Finance, Medical, Scientific, Clinical, Regulatory Affairs, and other cross-functional partners, this role serves as a central point of coordination for Technical Operations projects. The ideal candidate combines hands-on manufacturing knowledge with strong project leadership, operational excellence expertise, and the ability to translate complex technical and business requirements into clear, executable project plans. Travel Requirements: Approximately 15% Lead multiple Technical Operations projects from initial concept through implementation and launch using Thorne’s Stage Gate process and established R&D Project Management Office (PMO) practices. Serve as the R&D project lead and advocate for assigned Tech Ops initiatives, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, within scope, and at the expected level of quality. Develop comprehensive project plans, timelines, milestones, deliverables, resource requirements, and success measures for assigned initiatives. Lead, coordinate, and facilitate cross-functional project teams, establishing clear roles, responsibilities, priorities, and accountability throughout the project lifecycle. Partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Brand, Finance, Medical, Scientific, Clinical, Regulatory Affairs, and other stakeholders to align technical and business requirements. Manage projects involving production optimization, quality and compliance, cost savings, business continuity, technology transfers, core product growth, consumer expectations, and line extensions. Proactively identify project risks, dependencies, constraints, and potential roadblocks and develop mitigation and contingency plans to protect project timelines, budgets, scope, and quality. Monitor project performance against established milestones and proactively address schedule, resource, budget, quality, or execution risks. Maintain accurate and current project documentation, serving as the central source of truth for project plans, decisions, timelines, deliverables, risks, and status. Prepare and communicate project status reports, highlighting progress, milestones, risks, challenges, decisions, and recommended solutions for project teams and business stakeholders. Facilitate project meetings, decision-making discussions, and cross-functional working sessions to drive alignment, accountability, and timely resolution of issues. Build strong, trusting relationships across project teams and stakeholder groups to promote transparency, collaboration, and effective execution. Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, from production-floor employees and technical subject matter experts to senior executives. Apply project management and operational excellence methodologies to identify opportunities, improve project execution, and support effective decision-making. Develop and lead improvement strategies and initiatives that strengthen operational performance and project management effectiveness. Track project outcomes, lessons learned, successes, and challenges and apply insights to continuously improve future project execution and R&D PMO practices. Maintain rigor and consistency across project management systems, reporting, documentation, and governance to ensure timely and reliable project information. Support a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.