Safurah Khan
O'Fallon
Summary
Results-driven project manager with expertise in cross-functional collaboration, achieving a 50% increase in operational efficiency through strategic planning and effective team building. Proficient in implementing Lean Six Sigma methodologies to streamline processes and enhance productivity. Strong focus on stakeholder engagement to drive successful project outcomes.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Scientist - Technical Project Manager & Transfer Lead
Pfizer
Chesterfield
07.2019 - 06.2025
- Coached and directed scientists and technical leads in executing research and manufacturing operations, enhancing team effectiveness and project execution.
- Supported Virtual Plant style operations by coordinating execution of Internal and CMO manufacturing, batch readiness, tracking and cross functional issue resolution.
- Set execution expectations, operating cadence and reporting standards across cross functional teams, improving alignment, accountability and on-time delivery.
- Built executive roadmaps and coordinated timelines across R&D, MSAT, QA, Regulatory, Supply Chain driving operational improvements by 20% through site collaboration, negotiation and engagement across 3 sites and 6 teams.
- Improved tech transfer success rates at internal and CMO manufacturing by implementing standardized risk assessment and documentation review frameworks.
- Accelerated issue resolution during manufacturing campaigns through structured deviation triage and root-cause methodologies.
- Developed and standardized project management tools, including agendas, action logs, risk register, visual dashboards and escalation pathways.
- Led multi-year projects saving $500K by optimizing clinical manufacturing processes and accelerating delivery by six months through workflow enhancements.
- Managed end-to-end delivery of portfolio projects, including stakeholder coordination, budget planning, scheduling, and execution oversight by leading crossfunctional meetings, mentoring and applying people management skills towards meeting expectations and objectives.
- Led crisis management efforts during manufacturing disruptions, coordinating cross-functional responses and conducting root cause analyses.
- Developed and maintained mitigation strategies for project timelines and capacity constraints, preventing major delays in regulatory submissions.
Senior Associate Scientist - Operations Manager
Pfizer
04.2010 - 05.2019
- Led risk mitigation planning for global project timelines and capacity constraints preventing major delays across regulatory submissions.
- Championed process improvement efforts across operational workflows to optimize resource utilization and reduce rework, collaborating with cross-functional teams and implementing Performance Management strategies.
- Partnered with Quality and Regulatory teams to meet time-sensitive project milestones, ensuring adherence to global compliance initiatives.
- Presented program status, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership, influencing timelines, resourcing, and technical decisions.
- Delivered IND documentation through streamlined workflows and document control systems, facilitating QA-aligned project coordination.
Senior Associate Scientist - Discovery Operations Manager
Pfizer
07.2008 - 03.2010
- Managed junior staff performance, onboarding, and mentoring across multiple projects and internal systems resulting in a 2-fold increase in productivity.
- Directed process improvement initiatives across operational workflows, enhancing resource utilization and minimizing rework.
- Developed training materials and SOPs for internal staff and external partners, ensuring alignment with HR and QA standards.
- Enhanced process visibility through creation of SharePoint-based tracking systems utilized by multiple departments.
- Supported readiness for internal and external audits through documentation and process alignment.
Education
MASTER OF SCIENCE - BIOLOGY
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Edwardsville, ILBACHELOR OF SCIENCE - BIOLOGY
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Edwardsville, ILLean Six Sigma Black Belt -
SSGI
Business Analytics Certification -
University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School
GxP Refresher Training Certification - ICH Q8, Q9 and Q10
National Science Foundation
Project Management Professional Certification -
Exercising Leadership Foundational Principles -
Harvard X
Asian Leadership Essentials Program -
McKinsey & Pfizer
Business Communication -
University of British Columbia
Skills
- Project management
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
- Strategic planning
- Stakeholder engagement
- Data visualization
- Project management tools
- Smartsheet
- SharePoint
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Collaboration software
- Interpersonal communication
- Team building
- Task prioritization
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Documentation control
Certification
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, SSGI, 170508923
- Business Analytics Certification, University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School
- GxP Refresher Training Certification: ICH Q8, Q9 and Q10, National Science Foundation
- Project Management Professional Certification, 4021347
- Exercising Leadership Foundational Principles, Harvard X
- McKinsey - Asian Leadership Essentials Program, McKinsey & Pfizer
- Business Communication, University of British Columbia
Community Service
- Director of Policies & Procedures, PMIMSL Chapter, Manage a volunteer team towards governance and policy alignment in accordance with PMI and bylaws.
- Mentor, Mentored junior colleagues for professional growth resulting in next level promotion within team.
Signature Achievements
- Led cross-functional programs in regulated environments, aligning delivery with organizational goals and resource limits.
- Drove program efficiency and service improvement by capturing and monitoring performance metrics, identifying operational gaps, and implementing continuous improvement strategies.
- Managed initiatives through the full project lifecycle, including requirements gathering, planning, resource management, execution, deployment, and closure using enterprise project management best practices.
- Delivered executive-level communication, including status reporting, dashboards, and presentations that translated complex data into actionable insights for senior leadership.
- Negotiated priorities, resources, and timelines across stakeholders to resolve issues, mitigate risks, and maintain delivery commitments.
Timeline
Scientist - Technical Project Manager & Transfer Lead
Pfizer
07.2019 - 06.2025
Senior Associate Scientist - Operations Manager
Pfizer
04.2010 - 05.2019
Senior Associate Scientist - Discovery Operations Manager
Pfizer
07.2008 - 03.2010
MASTER OF SCIENCE - BIOLOGY
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - BIOLOGY
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt -
SSGI
Business Analytics Certification -
University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School
GxP Refresher Training Certification - ICH Q8, Q9 and Q10
National Science Foundation
Project Management Professional Certification -
Exercising Leadership Foundational Principles -
Harvard X
Asian Leadership Essentials Program -
McKinsey & Pfizer
Business Communication -
University of British Columbia