Director, Technical Operations Planning (Onsite)

Job Description

The Global Clinical Supply (GCS) organization within our company's Research Laboratories manages the end-to-end clinical supply chain for the company's portfolio (300+ Phase I-IV Clinical Trials, 200+ Investigator Initiated Studies and 200+ External Collaborations). GCS is accountable for the planning, sourcing, labeling, packaging and delivery of clinical supplies to clinical sites across more than 60+ countries, in compliance with worldwide regulations, company policies and standard operating procedures.

The Director, Technical Operations Planning is a strategic team leader and technical expert within the Global Operations Planning Team. The ideal candidate should have a passion for operational excellence and a proven track record in continuous improvement of processes, systems, and talent development across global, culturally diverse teams. The incumbent must demonstrate strong strategic and leadership skills to manage and resolve challenges arising from the diverse and dynamic requirements of our complex clinical supply chain.

The key immediate needs and opportunities for the role include:

• Integrating teams across US and Switzerland, implementing a new operating model and ways of working.

• Lead a team of technical experts responsible for:

  • CSO Compliance Operations

  • CSO Integration Operations

  • Global Site Scheduling

  • Process ownership, KPIs, investigations & CAPAs for Operations Planning

• Proactively identifying operational risks and implementing data-driven mitigation strategies to ensure strong operational performance.

• Embedding business process continuous improvement that allows for enhanced efficiency with required responsiveness/flexibility to project-specific needs.

• Seeks opportunities to innovation and efficiency, removing barriers for the team and supporting change initiatives

Primary Activities (including but not limited to):

• Supports strategic plans by defining priorities, establishing key performance indicators, and driving change initiatives and process improvements.

• Continuously optimize assets, processes, and resources across the supply chain to maintain compliance and achieve operational excellence.

• Ensure coordinated scheduling process across sites, influence siting decisions, ensure productivity targets are met and provide direction to address scheduling conflicts

• Engage with inspectors/auditors to review processes, coordinate responses to observations and lead implementation of CAPA

• Lead integration of complex BD assets (e.g. new external sites, complex packaging) and provide guidance to team for operational execution

• Lead complex, cross-functional investigations and provide guidance to team on problem-solving and effective CAPA

• Lead implementation and change adoption for new systems and tools within Operations Planning to deliver digital strategy

• Lead operational simplification efforts with external sites to enable speed, flexibility and cost opportunities

• Inspire and motivate teams by setting high-performance expectations and fostering a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Experience and Skills:   

• Degree (BSc, MSc, MBA, PhD) in Life Sciences, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration or related discipline

• Experience (10+ years) in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical devices with proven success in Project management and team leadership

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams, manage complex projects, and deliver innovative solutions.

• Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.

• Adaptable and resilient, with a track record of performing under pressure and fostering collaboration across global, culturally diverse teams

• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver integrated solutions.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and drive evidence-based decisions.

• Proficiency in English (verbal and written) at a professional working level.

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Required Skills:

Accountability, Accountability, Audit Preparations, Business Process Improvements, Clinical Supply Chain Management, Contract Management, Customer Alignment, Customer-Focused, Data Compilation, Detail-Oriented, Dispatching, Driving Continuous Improvement, Financial Forecasting, Inventory Control Management, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Materials Procurement, Medical Supply Manage