Program Manager

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of .
• Free medical coverage for employees* via the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

This role is based in Columbus, Ohio, within the Nutrition Division, and plays a key leadership role in ensuring Abbott’s ingredient supply is qualified, compliant, and aligned with business objectives. The position provides strategic oversight of a large, complex portfolio of global ingredient qualification initiatives, partnering closely with cross‑functional teams and suppliers. This role combines portfolio governance, project and people leadership, and resource stewardship to deliver high‑quality outcomes within Abbott’s robust quality and compliance framework.

What You’ll Work On

• Provide strategic oversight and governance for a large portfolio of ingredient qualification projects, ensuring project health, prioritization, and adherence to timelines
• Ensure new suppliers, ingredients, and commodities are qualified in accordance with Abbott’s documented processes and business objectives
• Adhere to and support the Abbott Ingredient Qualification Governance process, including portfolio management, prioritization, and senior‑level status reporting
• Oversee workload, capacity, and labor allocation across cross‑functional teams to ensure efficient and intentional use of resources
• Guide, mentor, and support project managers and interns responsible for individual ingredient qualification projects
• Direct activities associated with the most complex global ingredient qualification initiatives to ensure successful, on‑time delivery
• Identify project risks and issues and communicate them promptly to leadership and key stakeholders
• Partner with external suppliers to collect and validate required quality and compliance documentation
• Drive Enterprise Excellence initiatives focused on standard work, process measurement, benchmarking, and continuous improvement
• Utilize IT systems and tools such as DevEx, SharePoint, Planview, OneNote, and Excel to manage projects and portfolio execution
• Plan, organize, and prioritize daily work to meet established schedules and competing priorities
• Communicate effectively across all organizational levels and collaborate globally across functions and regions
• Demonstrate sound judgment, accountability, and a mindful leadership approach within defined authority levels
• Deliver business objectives within highly evolved quality and compliance systems

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• 7+ years of relevant experience with a strong understanding of ingredient qualification or related regulated processes
• Demonstrated ability to lead high‑complexity, global projects
• Proficiency in English with strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Experience leading large project portfolios and providing people leadership in a global, matrixed environment
• Strong understanding of quality, compliance, and governance frameworks
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across cross‑functional teams and senior leadership
• Demonstrated strengths in planning, execution, resource management, and continuous improvement