MSD is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where MSD has codified its 125-year legacy. MSD’s success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare. Our Manufacturing Division is a team of dedicated, energetic individuals who are committed to being the most trusted supplier of pharmaceuticals and health products worldwide. Our facilities, along with our external contractors, suppliers, and partners, comprise an interdependent global manufacturing network that’s committed to delivering a compliant, reliable supply to customers and patients on time, every time, across the globe. We’re currently looking for an independent External Manufacturing Operations Manager/ Virtual Site Lead to take responsibility for ensuring reliable supply of quality products at a competitive cost from the applicable contract manufacturer(s) and appropriate integration into MSD’s supply chain. Partnering closely with the respective functional representatives, you will be the owner and primary point of contact for all dealings between our Manufacturing Division and the external party and establishes boundaries and ground rules of engagement. Furthermore, you will be the focal point for dispute resolution, materials management, technology/quality issues, oversight of floor production and Operational Excellence/ Continuous Improvement activities. Work location is Lucerne, Switzerland. Primary activities include, but are not limited to:
Owner of our Manufacturing Division’s relationship with the contract manufacturer: responsible for establishing boundaries and ground rules of engagement
Primary point of contact for all exchange of information between our Manufacturing Division and the contract manufacturer
Responsible for all operational activities
Partner with ExM Procurement, ExM Quality, and ExM Technology on commercial aspects of relationship, including Identify, Select, Negotiate and Re-negotiate/terminate, as required.
Participate in a cross-functional team that Product Source Management assembles following a Supply Chain Committee (SCC) approved siting/source change to an external party and assume primary ownership of the new source
Facilitate the collection of EP capacity information (e.g. stated capacity, firm capacity, future capacity plans, time horizon/lead times required, comments/concerns, etc.) in preparation for future Assumption Based Reviews (ABRs) and ensures template completion
Responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Joint Service Procedure (JSP), ensuring alignment with the Supply and Quality agreements and appropriate document revision and distribution control
Inventory control: depending on the location of goods (at External Party or at MSD), ensure adequate documentation of material disposition
Ensure contract terms agreed upon by our Manufacturing Division and the External Party are executed including purchase orders, forecasts, deliveries, and approving invoice payments
Partner with the Operational Excellence and functional representatives (e.g. technical, quality, procurement, etc.) to identify External Party Operational Excellence/Continuous Improvement opportunities and support implementation once approved
Facilitate and participate in periodic Business and Relationship Review Meetings; prepare an annual “state of the union” presentation for your managed relationships including successes and failures in order to leverage across External Manufacturing organization
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in the Engineering, Science, Business or another relevant discipline; MBA is a plus
At least 7 years of experience from a Commercial/Business and Manufacturing function with strong subject matter expertise in at least two of the following functions: operations, quality, technology, planning function
Broad manufacturing knowledge with proven skills and expertise at management level in modality (API, Drug Product, Sterile); strong knowledge of Aseptic Processing
Documented ability to drive competitiveness on cost, lead time and compliance
Demonstrated ability to achieve compliance goals, through a risk based approach and understanding of GMP compliance and compliance risk
Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma concepts to deliver compliant supply and achieve highest quality, lowest cost and shortest lead-time
Proven ability to apply understanding of end-to-end supply chain within external and internal network and stakeholders across the network to achieve results and to contribute to supply chain optimization
Demonstrated strong leadership and problem solving skills; decisive in ambiguous environment
Strategic thinking with the ability to visualize the way forward, identifying opportunities that add value to the work and proactively mitigate
Demonstrated ability to understand and intelligently apply economic, financial and industry data to make business decisions that drive value for MSD and our customers
Demonstrated team building and sensitive to diverse culture; ability to use network and/or knowledge and expertise in production operations to drive results and business outcomes
Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and negotiation skills; refined communication skills and ability to be the one face of MSD to the external party
Fluency in English, both oral and written
Travel ~ 10%
Your role at MSD is integral to helping the world meet new breakthroughs that affect generations to come, and we’re counting on your skills and inventiveness to help make meaningful contributions to global medical advancement. At MSD, we’re inventing for life. MSD is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at MSD via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of MSD. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by MSD as a result of the referral or through other means.
