Job SummaryThe External Manufacturing & Supply Director oversees and optimizes partnerships with external manufacturing and supply partners, including Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), Contract Packaging Organizations (CPOs), in-lincesing and co-development partners. This role owns the operational relationships for all partners within the assigned portfolio and manages the strategic relationships with CMOs/CPOs, working closely with Strategic Alliance Management for in-licensing & co-development partnerships. The Director engages in due diligence with Business Development (BD), ensures robust supply agreements, and drives operational performance reviews, escalations, and strategic alignment across cross-functional teams within a matrix structure. Reporting to the VP of External Manufacturing (Head of Virtual Site) and as a member of the Global External Manufacturing Site Leadership Team (GEM SLT), this position supports the company's external growth strategy and ensures alignment between external partners and business objectives.
Job Responsibilities- CMO/CPO Relationship Management
- Establish high performing, cross functional, efficient, compliant, and cost-effective relationships with external manufacturers/suppliers
- Establish & maintain governance frameworks for managing relationships with partners in collaboration with Strategic Alliance Management
- Lead operations for assigned portfolio ensuring prompt issue resolution to maintain supply continuity and alignment with business goals.
- Manage the strategic relationship with CMOs/CPOs, aligning partner performance and strategic objectives with the company's long-term goals, while supporting Alliance Management on in-licensing / co-development partnerships
- Contract Management
- Establish and maintain senior-level relationships with CMOs/CPOs. Hold partners accountable for contractual obligations as well as challenging suppliers to perform to agreed standards (Supply Agreement and Technology Transfer Agreement)
- Ensure oversight of contract execution, updates, and renewals, working in partnership with Legal and Procurement
- Actively participate in new contract development with Business Development and other departments, offering operational insights to ensure robust Supply Agreements and Technology Transfer Agreements
- Lead resolution of high priority contract escalations, leveraging cross-functional expertise to address systemic issues,mitigate risks and ensure alignment with strategic goals
- Performance Management
- Accountable for the operational performance of product in assigned portfolio (Supply, Service, External Operations P&L, Quality...)
- Develop performance management frameworks to monitor and evaluate External manufacturing & supply partners service levels, quality adherence, and financial targets
- Lead regular business and performance reviews with partners, tracking KPIs such as, delivery, and cost metrics to ensure continuous improvement
- Engage in financial reviews, including Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis, to drive sustainable value from the Global External Manufacturing portfolio
- Business Development and Due Diligence
- Collaborate with Business Development on due diligence for in-licensing deals, providing operational insights to assess feasibility, cost implications, and potential risks
- Partner with Alliance Management to ensure a unified approach across shared partners, integrating commercial and manufacturing perspectives
- Cross-functional Leadership
- Lead cross functional team composed of Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and Technical/MS&T teams to address any operational disruptions, implementing risk mitigation strategies where needed
- Provide strategic leadership within the Global External Manufacturing Site Leadership Team, shaping Global External Manufacturing strategy, organizational design and performance management to support the broader roadmap and long term objectives
- Works in a safe manner collaborating as a team member to achieve all outcomes
- Ensure personal adherence with all compliance programs including the Global Business Ethics and Compliance Program, Global Quality policies and procedures, Safety and Environment policies, and HR policies
- All other relevant duties as assigned
Job Requirements- Education
- University degree or equivalent in Business and/or Science related field (BSc, BASc Engineering or similar preferred)
- MBA considered an asset
- Integrated Project Management, Technical Acumen, PMP, Supply Chain Certification considered an asset
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Strong decision-making, communication, facilitation skills and attention to detail
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to relate well to internal and external partners
- Excellent leadership skills and proven experience holding cross-functional members accountable and facilitating the decision-making process
- Experience with the creation and management of contracts as well as associated terms and conditions of Supply agreements
- Demonstrated knowledge of pharmaceutical products (technical/scientific and commercial), preferably learned through experience working in the generic industry
- Familiar with the development, manufacturing & packaging and testing of products, and capabilities/principles of operation of relevant equipment and facilities
- Proven ability to function in a fast-paced and continuously changing environment
- Strong understanding of enterprise systems (e.g., SAP, MSP, EPM), organizations, business processes, supply chain practices, computer skills and knowledge of spread sheet, word processing and project management software
- Excellent oral and written English communication skills
- Experience
- 10+ years' experience in external manufacturing & supply in the pharmaceutical industry
- Experience in managing partner relationships
- Proven executive level communications skills and relationship skills
- Proven ability to lead, ideally in a matrix-managed environment, to motivate people with a variety of skills
- Exhibited business and finance acumen in understanding cross-functional processes, requirements, and relevant information flows, translating gaps into solutions
