Alcon

Site MS&T Head SMO - Drug Substance

Alcon • $138K — $257K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred in a relevant scientific discipline.
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in manufacturing, ideally in pharmaceuticals.
  • Proven track record of driving quality and compliance initiatives.
  • Strong knowledge of applied statistics, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.
  • Understanding of pharmaceutical analytical testing standards.
  • Proven leadership in building and developing high-performing technical teams.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the MS&T DS organization, defining vision and strategies aligned with business goals.
  • Ensure product stewardship and technical oversight throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Drive continuous improvement and achieve manufacturing excellence across all operations.
  • Oversee validation programs and maintain compliance for inspection readiness.
  • Manage technology transfers, launches, and scale-up processes for successful implementation.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional and global teams to address technical challenges.
  • Develop top technical talent and share knowledge to build organizational capabilities.

Benefits

  • Health, life, and disability benefits.
  • 401(k) plan with company contributions and matching.
  • Generous paid time off package, including vacation and personal days.
  • Opportunity for performance-based cash incentives and eligibility for equity awards.
Full Job Description
Job Description Summary
Location: Morrisville, NC

**The Site, Manufacturing, Science & Technology Head - Small Molecule Drug Substance is an Associate Director level role.**

Imagine leading the scientific and technical strategy behind a cutting-edge manufacturing site that delivers life-changing medicines to patients around the world. As the Site MS&T Head for Drug Substance (DS), you will play a critical leadership role in shaping manufacturing excellence, driving innovation, and ensuring robust product stewardship across the full product lifecycle. You will lead a highly skilled Manufacturing Science & Technology DS organization, partnering across site functions and global teams to optimize processes, enable successful product launches and transfers, strengthen validation and compliance programs, and build the technical capabilities that support the future growth of the Morrisville site. In this highly visible position, you will influence site strategy, develop top talent, and help bring breakthrough therapies to patients with quality, reliability, and speed.

Job Description
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the site MS&T DS organization, setting vision, priorities, and technical strategy aligned with site objectives.
  • Ensure end-to-end product stewardship and technical oversight throughout the commercial product lifecycle.
  • Drive process robustness, continuous improvement, and manufacturing excellence across products, processes, and technologies.
  • Oversee technical changes, validation programs, and compliance activities to maintain inspection readiness.
  • Lead technology transfers, product launches, and scale-up activities to deliver successful implementation outcomes.
  • Partner with site and global teams to resolve technical challenges and strengthen process capability.
  • Develop technical talent, succession plans, and knowledge-sharing programs to build organizational capability.


Essential Requirements
  • Bachelor's Degree Required. Master's degree in Science, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Technology, or equivalent scientific discipline preferred.
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in manufacturing. Additional specialist experience is preferred (e.g., pharmaceutical formulation, process development, manufacturing technology).
  • Proven experience driving quality and compliance in an organization.
  • Strong working knowledge of applied statistics, quality systems and regulatory requirements across multiple health authorities.
  • Fundamental understanding of standard pharmaceutical analytical testing. .
  • Demonstrated leadership experience building, developing, and leading high-performing technical and scientific teams.


Desirable Requirements
  • Diverse pharmaceutical experience needed. Specifically, Small Molecule experience - API/Drug Substance/Oligonucleotide is highly preferred.


The salary for this position is expected to range between $138,600 and $257,400 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.

#LI-Onsite

Salary Range
$138,600.00 - $257,400.00

Skills Desired
Applied Statistics, Leadership, Manufacturing Production, Manufacturing Technologies, Operational Excellence, Process Control, Quality Compliance, Regulatory Compliance, Technical Leadership, Technology Transfer

About Alcon

Alcon is a global medical company specializing in eye care products and services. The company's products include surgical equipment, contact lenses, and eye drops. Alcon was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland. The company operates in over 70 countries and has over 20,000 employees. In 2019, Alcon became an independent publicly traded company after being spun off from Novartis.
Learn more about Alcon
Size
24,389 employees
Market Cap
$33.3 billion
Industry
Founded
1945
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Alcon

More Pharmaceuticals & Biotech Jobs

Find similar Site MS&T Head SMO - Drug Substance jobs: