MES Program Lead

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com.

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Supply Chain Engineering

Job Sub Function:

Automation Engineering

Job Category:

Scientific/Technology

All Job Posting Locations:

Gent, East Flanders, Belgium

Job Description:

CAR‑T is an innovative therapy that leverages a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer. By genetically modifying a patient’s T‑cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells, this transformative technology offers new hope to patients who have exhausted other treatment options.
 

Are you ready to drive the next wave of digital readiness within CAR‑T manufacturing?
 

Join our dynamic team within the CAR-T organization in Ghent as New Programs MES Lead, where you will lead the delivery of MES-related programs supporting capacity expansion for the CAR-T EMEA manufacturing sites. These programs are essential to ensure that our MES solution stays aligned with operational needs, regulatory requirements, and the rapid growth of CAR‑T manufacturing envrionment.
 

In this key role, you will manage all aspects of project governance—scope, schedule, budget, risks, and alignment across functions—for new programs impacting the MES landscape in Ghent. You will act as the responsible person who ensures that MES changes and new electronic batch records are delivered effectively, on time, and in full support of our mission: bringing our life‑saving product to patients.
 

You will report directly to the MES Manager and will work closely with MES Technical Experts who will provide technical expertise. While MES expertise is beneficial, deep system knowledge is not required—the priority is strong project leadership, communication, and execution discipline in a fast‑paced, advanced therapy environment.
 

As New Programs MES Lead, your main responsibilities include:
Program & Project Management

• Lead the end‑to‑end delivery of MES‑related programs, including significant process updates (batch records changes) and the design of new batch records.
• Develop, align, and maintain a comprehensive project plan covering scope, schedule, budget, and resource needs.
• Drive project governance, ensuring traceability of decisions, clear ownership, and timely escalation of risks.

Cross-Functional Coordination & Communication

• Act as the central communication hub between Operations, QA, engineering, and vendor partners.
• Facilitate cross‑functional alignment on program requirements, milestones, and constraints.
• Ensure structured communication across the organization, including progress updates, issue reporting, and milestone tracking.

Issue Resolution & Adaptability

• Lead cross‑functional problem‑solving to address deviations, delays, or scope changes affecting MES deliverables.
• Quickly adapt plans, re‑prioritize activities, and coordinate required adjustments in response to evolving business needs.
• Drive a proactive, solution‑oriented mindset to maintain project momentum and minimize operational impact.

Strategic Contribution

• Support the scaling of CAR‑T manufacturing by ensuring MES programs are delivered to enable capacity growth.
• Identify improvement opportunities to strengthen project delivery frameworks and MES change management processes.
• Act as an ambassador for digital excellence within CAR‑T EMEA.
   

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

A master’s degree in Engineering, Business, Life Sciences, Supply Chain, Computer Science, or a related field is required.

Experience and Expertise:

• 6+ years of relevant industry experience in manufacturing, digital systems, operations, or project management.
• Proven experience managing projects in a regulated, fast‑paced, or technology‑driven environment.
• Prior exposure to MES, advanced therapies, electronic batch records, or digital manufacturing systems is highly preferred.
• Strong project management skills, with ability to manage scope, schedule, budget, risks, and cross‑functional alignment.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills; ability to simplify complexity and maintain stakeholder engagement.
• Strong problem‑solving capabilities and ability to independently drive actions to completion.
• Proven ability to lead without direct authority, fostering collaboration and decision‑making across functions.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity, adapting quickly to evolving priorities, and maintaining momentum in a dynamic environment.
• Proactive, solution‑oriented, and able to bring clarity and structure in complex situations.
• Fluent in spoken and written English; knowledge of Dutch is a plus but not required
• Experience in cell therapy, biologics, sterile operations, or other GxP manufacturing environments.
• Project management certification (PMP, Prince2, Agile) is an asset.
• Familiarity with validated/regulated system lifecycle management

#SCEngineer

 

 

Required Skills:

 

 

Preferred Skills:

  

 

The anticipated base pay range for this position is:

€79,800.00 - €137,770.00

 

 

Benefits:

In addition to base pay, we offer the following benefits*: an annual bonus with set target (% of pay) depending on pay grade / location, where the actual amount is based on the employees’ and companies’ performance of the previous calendar year, or sales commissions. Moreover, we offer vacation days, parental leave for a minimum of 12 weeks, bereavement leave, caregiver leave, volunteer leave, well-being reimbursement, programs for financial, physical and mental health. We also offer service anniversary and recognition awards, and subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees - and in some location’s eligible dependents - can participate in several insurance plans. For more information, visit Employee benefits | Supporting well-being & career growth | Johnson & Johnson Careers.

 

*This is for informative purposes only. Amounts and actual benefits may vary by location and are subject to change.