Director, External Manufacturing & Supply Partnerships

Job Summary

The External Manufacturing & Supply Partnerships 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 Operations and as a member of the Global External Operations Leadership Team (GEOLT), this position supports the company’s external growth strategy and ensures alignment between external partners and business objectives.

Job Responsibilities

• 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 Operations 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 Operations Leadership Team, shaping Global External Operations 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
  • 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
  • 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