Associate Director, Global External Manufacturing

Job Summary

The Global External Manufacturing Associate Director oversees and optimizes partnerships with external manufacturing and supply partners, including Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), Contract Packaging Organizations (CPOs), in-licensing and co-development partners. This role leads the strategic and operational relationships with CMOs/CPOs within the assigned portfolio and manages the operational relationships for in-licensing and co-development partners in collaboration with Strategic Alliance Management. The Associate Director is accountable for partner performance, governance activities, and issue resolution, ensuring alignment with business objectives while driving operational excellence, supply reliability, quality performance, and cost optimization. Reporting to the VP, Global External Manufacturing and as a member of the Global External Manufacturing Site Leadership Team (GEM SLT), this position supports the execution of the company's external growth strategy and ensures alignment between external partners and business objectives.

Job Responsibilities

• Relationship Management
  • Build and maintain high performing, cross functional, efficient, compliant, and cost-effective relationships with external manufacturers/suppliers
  • Lead governance process for operations for assigned CMOs/CPOs and collaborate with Strategic Alliance Management for in-licensing/Co-dev
  • Lead operations for assigned portfolio ensuring prompt issue resolution to maintain supply continuity and alignment with business goals.
  • Manage the 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
  • Ensure oversight of master supply agreement 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
  • Hold partners accountable for contractual obligations as well as challenging suppliers to perform to agreed standards (Supply Agreement and Technology Transfer Agreement)
  • Address complex operational and contractual issues, leveraging cross-functional expertise to mitigate risks, resolve systemic issues, and ensure alignment with strategic goals.

• Performance Management
  • Accountable for the operational performance of products within the assigned portfolio (Supply, Service, External Manufacturing financials, Quality...)
  • Lead performance management activities to monitor and evaluate external manufacturing and 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 externally manufactured products portfolio

• 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 leadership within the Global External Manufacturing Site Leadership Team, contributing to the development and execution of Global External Manufacturing strategy, performance management initiatives, and organizational priorities to support business objectives.
  • Works in a safe manner collaborating as a team member to achieve all outcomes
  • Demonstrate Behaviours that exhibit our organizational Values: Collaboration, Courage, Perseverance, and Passion
  • 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
  • 8+ years’ experience in external manufacturing & supply in the pharmaceutical industry
  • Experience in managing partner relationships
  • Strong senior-level communication and relationship management 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