Associate Director, Manufacturing (Drug Substance)

Acadia Job Listings; Zug; On-site; CHF 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health insurance

Life/Disability insurance

Employee stock purchase plan

Vacation 15+ days

Paid holidays

Sick time

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Acadia Pharmaceuticals seeks a senior leader to oversee external CMOs and third-party suppliers for commercial manufacturing. You will manage manufacturing schedules, ensure supply targets, and drive cost efficiency while upholding GMP and quality standards.

The role requires a BS in Engineering or Chemistry (MS/PhD preferred), 10+ years in pharma/biotech with 6+ years in leadership, and travel to EU/Asia. Collaboration across Regulatory and QA will be essential.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering/Chemistry or equivalent; MS/PhD preferred.
• 10+ years in pharmaceutical/biotech with 6+ years in leadership.
• Contract service provider experience.
• Knowledge of biopharmaceutical development, regulatory filings and audits.
• Frequent travel to EU and Asia for role.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains relationships with contract manufacturers; Negotiate and manage CMO contracts.
• Develops SOPs and work processes for Commercial Manufacturing.
• Diagnose and resolve process issues with CMOs; improve process robustness and cost efficiency.
• Identify, evaluate and select CMOs for commercial manufacturing; track performance metrics.
• Collaborate with QA to ensure GMP compliance and assess regulatory filings impacts.

Skills

Contract management

CMO oversight

Process optimization

Regulatory knowledge

Biopharma experience

Education

BS in Engineering/Chemistry

MS/PhD preferred

Job description

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs. At Acadia, we’re here to be their difference.

Position Summary:

Responsible for oversight of commercial Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMO’s), and other third-party suppliers for products as identified, including the transfer of processes from R&D/Product development to commercial third-party suppliers. Responsible for oversight of ongoing manufacturing schedules to ensure both development and commercial supply levels are maintained, and inventory targets are met. Ensures that manufacturing activities meet the needs of all internal and external constituencies with an emphasis on process, quality, budget control and profitability.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develops and maintains good working relationships with contract manufacturers.
• Negotiate and manage CMO contracts
• Develops SOP’s and work processes needed for Commercial Manufacturing
• Works with CMOs to diagnose and correct process issues.
• Identifies, evaluates and selects CMOs for the manufacture of Commercial products
• Develops, collects appropriate metrics to measure CMO performance; leads CMO partnership teams.
• Works with Quality Group to determine the impact of process deviations and works towards resolutions
• Develops timelines, goals, and deliverables for API and related manufacturing processes.
• Optimizes the manufacturing process to maintain high product quality, improve process portability, increase process robustness, improve process efficiency, and reduce manufacturing costs.
• Assists in developing drug substance sourcing strategies.
• With Quality Assurance, ensures CMOs remain current and compliant with all GMP related requirements, guidelines and procedures.
• Tracks deviations and processes changes for the different suppliers and collaborate with Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance in assessing their impact on regulatory filings.
• Initiates and coordinates the preparation of CMC documentation as required
• Collaborates with Regulatory Affairs and other groups to support product filings.
• Assists in contract site preparation activities for regulatory inspections.
• Supports interdisciplinary working teams with recommendations, advice and action plans for manufacturing related issues.
• Provide onsite process coverage as person-in-plant as needed
• Communicates manufacturing or technology related issues and information to committees, teams and interested groups within the company.
• Supervise, train and mentor personnel as needed.

Education/Experience/Skills:

BS in Engineering/Chemistry or equivalent combination of relevant education and applicable job experience. Master's or Ph.D. preferred. A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience within the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry with 6 years in a leadership role.

Must possess:

• Contract service provider experience.
• Understanding is required of the biopharmaceutical drug development process including regulatory filings and quality inspections and audits.
• Extensive knowledge of regulations as they pertain to post-approval manufacturing process changes; site changes, etc.
• Frequent travel to global manufacturing sites in the EU and Asia is required for this role

Scope:

Participate in strategic plans for designated function(s) and may participate with senior management to align objectives across the organization. Develops methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for projects, programs, and people. Works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth knowledge of functional area and related organizational objectives. Erroneous decisions will have a serious impact on the overall success of functional area and may impact on the long-term success of the company.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, see, talk or hear in a standard office environment and independently from remote locations. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Ability to travel by car or airplane independently up to 50% of the time both domestically, internationally, and work after hours if required by travel schedule or business issues.

What we offer US-based Employees:

• Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
• 401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in
• 15+ vacation days
• 13 -15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st
• 10 days of paid sick time
• Paid parental leave benefit
• Tuition assistance

EEO Statement (US-based Employees): Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in the exact way they are described in job postings. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and innovative company, and we are looking for the BEST candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background or may meet the qualifications in a different way. We strongly encourage you to apply, especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn’t exactly what we describe here.

It is the policy of Acadia to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to considerations of race, including related to hairstyle, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition, country of origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, legally-protected medical condition or information, marital status, domestic partner status, family care status, military caregiver status, veteran or military status (including reserve status, National Guard status, and military service or obligation), status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, or any basis protected under federal, state or local law.

As an equal opportunity employer, Acadia is committed to a diverse workforce. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. Furthermore, you may request additional support if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Acadia’s career website due to your disability, along with any accommodations throughout the interview process. To request or inquire about your reasonable accommodation, please complete our Reasonable Accommodation Request Form or contact us at Please note that reasonable accommodations granted throughout the recruiting process are not guaranteed to be the same accommodations given if hired. A new request will need to be submitted for any ADA accommodations after starting employment.

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