Associate Director, Drug Substance, Pharmaceutical Development

Job Summary

The Associate Director chemical development will lead process development and optimization of drug substances and will manage manufacturing activities for API, intermediate, and RSMs for assigned projects. The Associate Director chemical development will assist with the preparation and review of drug substance sections for regulatory submissions and will be responsible for the preparation and technical review of GMP documents for API, intermediate, and RSM manufacture.

Job Description

• Responsible for chemical process development and optimization, technology transfer, scale-up, and process validation of APIs.
• Manage API, intermediate, and RSM manufacturing activities at CDMO sites to meet clinical supply demand
• Direct the development activities of drug substances from early to late-stage projects in a phase-appropriate manner, which includes managing solid-state properties such as salt forms, solvates, and polymorphs, as well as process control strategies for impurities, potential mutagenic impurities (PMIs), elemental impurities, and residual solvents
• Responsible to develop new and improved chemical manufacturing processes with an eye to reducing COGS, improving yields and upgrading quality of the drug substance, and provide technical support for existing chemical processes at CDMO sites
• Draft, review, and approve GMP/scientific documents such as manufacturing batch records, protocols, and reports in compliance with cGMP and global regulatory requirements and the drug substance sections of global regulatory submissions such as INDs, IMPDs, NDAs, and MAAs.
• Actively contribute expertise in cross-functional R&D project teams as the subject matter expert for drug substances and be well prepared to address any questions or discussions related to APIs for assigned projects
• Coordinate inventory control of drug substances, starting materials, and key materials/reagents with internal and external partners to ensure project demands are met within timelines for assigned projects
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and effective verbal and written communication skills with cross-functional teams (pharmaceutical development, clinical development, regulatory affairs, and quality assurance) and CDMO partners to build relationships and effectively progress projects forward
• You must be highly organized, self-motivated, and able to juggle multiple priorities. The desired candidate will have the capacity to be productive with little supervision
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned
• Travel up to 25%
• PhD in Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related sciences with 8+ years of relevant experience, or an MS in Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related sciences with 10+ years of relevant experience
• Process Development: Strong process chemistry experience with demonstrated expertise in process development and optimization, technology transfer, and scale up of drug substances/APIs, and ability to solve challenging problems that arise during technology transfer, process optimization and scale up of drug substances/APIs
• API Manufacturing: Experience in managing manufacturing of APIs. Intermediates and RSMs at CDMO sites and implementing manufacturing technology improvements within a regulated environment
• Regulatory Compliance: Experience with providing technical authoring and review of CMC drug substance sections of regulatory filings and dossiers. Familiarity with cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) and regulatory requirements (ICH, FDA, EMA, etc.)
• Working knowledge of quality systems, validation principles, engineering design, process modeling and statistical process control fundamentals Proficient with all MS Office application skills
• Excellent interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships internally and with external manufacturing partners Strong organizational skills to handle multiple priorities and meet project timelines
• Attention to detail in drafting and reviewing GMP documents Ability to work strategically and independently with internal and external groups on multiple projects
• Flexibility to adapt to changing project needs Ability to work effectively within a team environment and a multi-cultural, multifaceted corporate environment
• Maintain the highest level of scientific rigor and professionalis

Competencies
Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change.
Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to cust