Pfizer

Sr Director Operations

Pfizer$214K — $358K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of experience; OR a master’s degree and 10+ years of experience; OR a PhD and 7+ years of experience.
  • Experience managing direct reports, including leaders of leaders.
  • Strong knowledge of cGMPs (US & EU), OSHA, ISO, and related regulatory standards.
  • Ability to influence and collaborate across teams, coach others, and achieve impactful business outcomes.
  • Proven experience leading through change and navigating complex transformations.
  • Strong digital literacy and experience with AI and data-driven decision-making.
  • Capability to connect strategy to execution across functions with end-to-end process thinking.

Responsibilities

  • Lead pharmaceutical drug product manufacturing operations including formulation, aseptic filling, and packaging.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, focusing on safety, quality, and financial performance.
  • Implement continuous improvement initiatives through IMEX processes and tiered governance.
  • Foster a culture of inclusive leadership and high performance within the organization.
  • Oversee operations planning and execution to meet production schedules and cycle time targets.
  • Develop and execute strategies for enhancing operational capabilities and asset utilization.
  • Collaborate with various departments to ensure customer-driven business activities.

Benefits

  • Relocation support available based on business needs.
  • 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and additional Retirement Savings Contribution.
  • Paid vacation, holidays, and personal days, including caregiver and medical leave.
  • Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
Full Job Description

What You Will Achieve

Responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of pharmaceutical drug product manufacturing operations across formulation, aseptic filling, inspection, and packaging at the McPherson site. Accountable for delivering safety, quality, supply reliability, compliance, and financial performance objectives while ensuring adherence to current GMP requirements and continuous inspection readiness. Serves as a key member of the Site Leadership Team, partnering cross-functionally to shape and execute site strategy, advance operational excellence initiatives, and drive a culture of continuous improvement. Attracts, develops, and retains top talent while fostering an inclusive, high-performing organization capable of meeting current and future business needs.

In this role you will:

  • Ensure that manufacturing methods / environment will meet contemporary industrial, Regulatory and Pfizer standards. Work with direct reports to ensure that teams are properly staffed to meet production requirements, to create and monitor budgets, to monitor and control production variances and ensure a safe working environment.
  • Embed and sustain IMEX processes and tiered governance, empowering teams to deliver continuous improvement and operational performance. Support and foster Supportive Leadership among people leaders within Operations through active coaching.
  • The position will be responsible for interacting with the site quality assurance, quality control, validation, engineering, technical services, supply chain, digital/automation and finance departments in order ensure that regulatory standards, company policies and site processes are met.
  • Cultivate and reinforce Pfizer values, norms, and behaviors while providing strategic leadership for talent development, organizational effectiveness, performance management, and leadership capability. Build a high-performing organization through succession planning, colleague development, coaching, and the advancement of inclusive leadership practices.
  • Responsible for Operations planning and scheduling and for achieving schedule attainment and cycle time targets.
  • Develop and execute manufacturing strategies that strengthen operational capabilities, optimize asset utilization, support current and future capacity requirements, and position the site to meet evolving business, network, and customer needs through long-term planning and investment priorities.
  • Working with PC1 & Business Development to cultivate and build strategic customer relationships and ensure that the customer perspective is a driving force behind all value-added business activities.
  • Serve as a member of the Site Leadership Team, contributing to the development and execution of site strategic objectives. Drive achievement of operational, quality, supply, safety, and financial performance goals while balancing short-term business needs with long-term site capability development.
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate operational, compliance, supply, and business continuity risks. Develop and implement strategies to ensure uninterrupted product supply while maintaining safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
  • Champion a culture of accountability, inclusion, psychological safety, colleague engagement, and high performance. Develop leadership capability throughout the organization and build a strong succession pipeline to support current and future business needs.

Here Is What You Need (Minimum Requirements)

  • Bachelors Degree and 12+ years of experience; OR a masters degree and 10+ years of experience; OR a PhD and 7+ years of experience.
  • Experience managing direct reports including leaders of leaders
  • Strong knowledge of cGMPs (US & EU), OSHA, ISO, and other regulatory agency standards and requirements applicable to a pharmaceutical production facility
  • Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.
  • Leading Through Change:Demonstrated experience leading leaders and teams through complex change, including navigating ambiguity, influencing across stakeholders, and sustaining performance during transformation.
  • Digital Literacy and AI Fluency:Strong digital literacy, including practical experience leveraging data, digital tools, and AIenabled solutions to drive innovation, efficiency, and better decisionmaking.
  • EndtoEnd Process Thinking:Proven ability to think and operate endtoend, connecting strategy to execution across functions and anticipating downstream impacts to deliver integrated, enterpriselevel solutions.

Bonus Points If You Have (Preferred Requirements)

  • 10+ years of experience leading direct reports
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate (oral and written) effectively with diverse individuals/groups; foster trust and understanding; empower and enable colleagues; and build customer relationships.
  • Strong analytical, presentation and relationship management skills
  • Proven track record of delivering results consistently while being a role model for the Pfizer Leader Behaviors.
  • Demonstrated strategic focus and strong business acumen are required.
  • Must have track record of strong customer focus.
  • Must have proven track record of leading change, as well as managing in a rapidly changing environment.
  • Must demonstrate personal agility and innovation as well as cultivating similar behavior in team members.
  • Must have ability to evaluate risk and make rapid decisions where necessary.
  • Experience leading teams including responsibility for performance management and talent development of team members required.
  • Ability to address conflicts as necessary and build highly effective, diverse teams.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Individual will be required to perform task of walking the process and understanding the areas in which the incidents occurred which may require periods of standing.
  • Individual will be required to organize and prioritize in a dynamic operation
  • Individual will be required to perform complex data analysis

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

  • Position may require non-standard work schedule to conduct interviews with individuals involved in the investigation and/or to complete investigations per required timeline.
  • Ability to work in a flexible workspace between on site and remote working environments
  • Limited travel

Other Job Details:

Relocation support available
Work Location Assignment:On Premise

Last date to apply: August 14, 2026

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $214,900.00 to $358,100.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizers Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 22.5% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of lifes moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site  U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.

U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

Manufacturing

About Pfizer

Hospira, Inc. is the provider of injectable drugs and infusion technologies. Through its broad, integrated portfolio, Hospira is uniquely positioned to Advance Wellness™ by improving patient and caregiver safety while reducing healthcare costs. The company is headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., and has approximately 16,000 employees.

Pfizer Careers

Joining Pfizer’s global team offers more than just job opportunities; it’s a chance to be a part of a company that leads with science and innovates for better health. As a leading biopharmaceutical company, Pfizer is at the forefront of transforming lives through innovation, leadership, and diversity. Work You’ll Do At Pfizer, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, engaging in work that enhances global health and saves lives. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, professional growth, and inclusivity, making every day a learning opportunity. Here, your skills will be honed, your professional acumen will be expanded, and you will be part of a team that values the power of diverse insights to drive success. Pfizer’s Leadership and Growth Lead and innovate with Pfizer, where we value the growth of each employee. Our leadership is committed to providing employees with the training and resources needed to excel in their careers. Pfizer offers a variety of career paths, including roles in research, marketing, finance, technology, and more, each offering a unique blend of challenges and rewards. Internship and Employment Opportunities Start your career with Pfizer through our internship programs or dive straight into a full-time position. We are hiring individuals who are passionate about healthcare and who seek to make a difference in the world. Our internships provide invaluable industry experience, networking opportunities, and a potential pathway to full-time employment. Benefits and Culture Pfizer is dedicated to fostering a workplace where all employees feel valued and can achieve their full potential. We offer competitive benefits packages that support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families. At Pfizer, you’ll find a culture that encourages collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Join Our Team Explore the numerous job opportunities at Pfizer by searching open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for driven, curious, and innovative team players who are ready to advance their careers in a transformative company. Stay Connected Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Pfizer. Interview and Resume Tips Prepare for your future with Pfizer by utilizing our resources for resume building and interview preparation. We provide guidance on how to effectively showcase your skills and experiences to align with the needs of a position at Pfizer. Our goal is to help you succeed in securing a role that suits your professional goals and personal growth aspirations. Pfizer: A Place Where You Can Make a Difference Every position at Pfizer contributes to our mission of making the world a healthier place. Whether through direct patient care, research innovation, or corporate roles that support our operations, your work will have global impact. Join us in our journey to change lives—explore Pfizer careers today.
Learn more about Pfizer
Size
79,000 employees
Market Cap
$285.9 billion
Industry
Net Income
$9.6 billion
Founded
1849
5 Year Trend
+9%
Revenue
$41.9 billion
NASDAQ

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