Global Head of Product Lifecycle & Launch Architecture - Diagnostic

Roche; Risch-Rotkreuz; On-site; CHF 320,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Roche Rotkreuz is seeking a Global Head of Product Lifecycle & Launch Architecture—Diagnostics to shape the global supply chain strategy and drive end-to-end integration across R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Commercial and Regulatory functions.

You will split focus 50/25/25 on Launch Orchestration, Strategic Architecture, and Leadership & Capability Building, leading high-level programs on a global scale and transforming complex challenges into opportunities.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in life science, engineering, pharmacy or related field.
• Ph.D. or MBA preferred for senior leadership.
• Extensive leadership experience in regulated healthcare/pharma environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead global supply chain strategy and multi-year planning across regions and functions.
• Drive Lean design, cost savings, and pilot-to-commercial scaling.
• Enforce global design standards and regulatory compliance as the key launch readiness owner.
• Co-own the Global Supply Chain strategy with governance and product requirements.
• Oversee large-scale end-to-end integration projects and cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Lifecycle planning

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Master's degree in Life Science/Engineering/Pharmacy

PhD or MBA preferred

Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

The Global Head of Product Lifecycle & Launch Architecture - Diagnostic(internally called: Global Head of Supply Chain Science, Technology & Launch) in our Global Supply Chain division serves as a critical strategic engine within the organization, focused on driving cross-functional alignment across R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Commercial, and Regulatory functions. By implementing advanced design methodologies, establishing global standards, and optimizing end-to-end supply chain integration, the department breaks down functional silos to foster a transformational leadership environment. The team is dedicated to permanently optimizing processes to increase quality and efficiency standards, ensuring that long-term multi-year planning and innovative technologies position the entire organization for future readiness.

We are seeking a Global Head to step into a primarily strategic role, acting as an architect and systems thinker to shape our global supply chain strategy. This position is highly visible and impactful, with a task split dedicated to 50% Launch & Integration Orchestration, 25% Strategic Architecture, and 25% Leadership & Capability Building. Operating on a global scale, you will lead high-level project execution and empower cross-functional teams to navigate highly ambiguous, unstructured challenges, transforming complex operational hurdles into measurable business opportunities.

The Opportunity

• Driving organization-wide impact by delivering operational efficiencies through Lean design, cost savings, and successful pilot-to-commercial scaling that directly influences commercial sales results.
• Enforcing global design standards and regulatory compliance while acting as the key strategic point of contact for global launch readiness.
• Devoting 60-80% of your focus to multi-year strategic planning during the early stages of the Product Life Cycle (PLC) to challenge the status quo and introduce new technologies.
• Leading and co-owning the Global Supply Chain strategy by setting comprehensive policies, standardizing processes, establishing governance, and defining physical product requirements.
• Overseeing critical, large-scale integration projects encompassing end-to-end supply chain integration and new product commercialization across diverse regions and divisions.
• Influencing and negotiating on a daily or weekly basis with internal leaders across Manufacturing, R&D, and Finance, as well as external Logistics Service Providers and manufacturing sites.
• Managing significant conflicts between competing functional interests, such as balancing R&D’s speed with supply chain compliance, while regularly presenting investment and readiness rationales to senior leadership.

Who You Are

• An advanced degree holder, with a required Master’s degree in Life Science, Engineering, Pharmacy, or a related subject, though a Ph.D. or MBA is highly preferred.
• A seasoned professional with 10+ years of leadership experience within the pharmaceutical, diagnostics, healthcare, or a similarly highly regulated industry.
• An expert in industry operations, possessing clear, hands-on experience across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Quality & Regulatory environments.
• A strategic decision-maker with deep knowledge of product development, life cycle management processes, and the Roche Diagnostics product portfolio.
• An exceptional transformational leader committed to role-modeling Roche Values, Creative Leadership, VACC principles, and coaching culturally diverse, global teams toward solution-oriented outcomes.

Where pay transparency applies, details are provided based on the primary posting location. For this role, the primary location is Rotkreuz. If you are interested in additional locations where the role may be available, we will provide the relevant compensation details later in the hiring process.

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.