Position OverviewHelp deliver reliable, compliant biomanufacturing at scale. The Associate Director, DSM establishes and leads operations for a defined functional area, aligning people, processes, and systems to meet delivery, compliance, and financial objectives. The role drives production performance and regulatory readiness, develops frontline leaders, partners cross-functionally to meet targets, and owns area KPIs and budget.
Job DescriptionWhat You'll Do- Lead area operations to achieve production goals with rigorous execution, right-first-time performance, and schedule adherence.
- Translate site objectives into clear goals; communicate vision across multiple levels and ensure alignment with Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Process Sciences.
- Own area KPIs and budget; track performance, forecast needs, and implement corrective and preventive actions to meet targets.
- Govern process changes and documentation to maintain cGMP compliance; champion inspection readiness and lead regulatory inspections for the function.
- Develop supervisors and associate managers; build succession pipelines, coach performance, and foster a culture of safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
- Partner with support groups to remove bottlenecks, resolve deviations, drive investigations, and implement change management effectively.
- Represent Manufacturing in client interactions; support day-to-day coordination, scope discussions, and progress reviews.
- Execute other duties as assigned to support a dynamic, project-driven operation.
Minimum Qualifications- Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in a related field and 8+ years of biotech/pharma experience, including prior people leadership (managing and developing teams).
Preferred Qualifications- BA/BS in Life Sciences or Engineering; or Master's degree with 6+ years in a similar role within large pharma/biotech.
- 6-10 years in pharmaceutical/biological manufacturing operations.
- Experience leading leaders (managers/supervisors) in a changing, project-driven environment.
- Direct experience with regulatory inspections, investigations, change control, KPIs, and operational budgeting.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Deep understanding of cGMPs, inspection expectations, EHS, and end-to-end manufacturing operations.
- Strength in conceptual problem solving; able to set methods, techniques, and criteria with limited precedent.
- Proven capability to influence and negotiate outcomes with cross-functional and client stakeholders.
- Strong organizational and project management skills; continuous improvement mindset.
- Ability to coach and develop leaders; build accountable, high-performing teams.
Job Scope Factors- Complexity & Problem Solving: Solves ambiguous, multi-factor problems; implements policy and determines methods/criteria; drives multi-area projects and strategy execution.
- Discretion & Impact: Decisions directly affect short-term (
- Collaboration & Interaction: Interfaces regularly with senior and lower management across functions and with customers; persuades in sensitive, complex situations.
- Management & Supervision: Manages a department or multiple disciplines; oversees experienced professionals and/or subordinate managers; advises teams on moderately complex matters.
Reporting Structure- Direct reports: 4-8
- Indirect reports: 50-70
Physical Requirements and Working Environment- May require respiratory protection; may work in mechanical/production areas requiring hearing protection.
- Requires ability to discern audible cues.
- Ability to climb ladders/ramps; stand/sit for prolonged periods; perform repetitive motions of wrists/hands/fingers.
- May lift/move up to 10 lbs; bending, pushing/pulling, and reaching from 18" to 60" required.
- No routine operation of motor vehicles or powered industrial trucks.
To all agencies: Please, no phone calls or emails to any employee about this requisition. All resumes submitted by search firms/employment agencies to any employee via email, the internet, or in any form and/or method will be deemed the sole property of the company, unless such search firms/employment agencies were engaged for this requisition and a valid agreement is in place. In the event a candidate who was submitted outside of the approved agency engagement process is hired, no fee or payment of any kind will be paid.
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