Director, Drug Product, Technical Operations

Summit Therapeutics, Inc.; Oxford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A biotechnology company is seeking a Director for Drug Product Technical Operations. The role requires extensive experience in biologics manufacturing and overseeing commercial batch production. Critical responsibilities include driving BLA readiness and ensuring GMP compliance. Ideal candidates have 12+ years in the field, with a strong track record in project management and regulatory expectations.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in biologics manufacturing focused on sterile drug products and late-phase development.
• Proven record in BLA preparation, PPQ, and commercial launch.
• Experience managing internal cross-functional teams and external manufacturing partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations for sterile drug product including oversight of CMOs.
• Drive readiness for BLA filing and commercial launch including validation.
• Ensure GMP compliance across all manufacturing activities.

Skills

Biologics manufacturing

Sterile drug product operations

BLA preparation

Project management

Regulatory knowledge (FDA, EMA)

Leadership skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Biochemistry, or Pharmaceutical Sciences

PhD or MS preferred

Job description

Director, Drug Product, Technical Operations

Location: Princeton, NJ or Oxford, UK onsite.

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About Summit

Ivonescimab, known as SMT112, is a novel, potential first-in-class investigational bispecific antibody combining the effects of immunotherapy via a blockade of PD-1 with the anti-angiogenesis effects associated with blocking VEGF into a single molecule. Ivonescimab displays unique cooperative binding to each of its intended targets with multifold higher affinity when in the presence of both PD-1 and VEGF.

Summit has begun its clinical development of ivonescimab in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with three active Phase III trials:

• HARMONi is a Phase III clinical trial which intends to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated, locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous NSCLC who have progressed after treatment with a 3rd generation EGFR TKI (e.g., osimertinib).
• HARMONi-3 is a Phase III clinical trial which is designed to evaluate ivonescimab combined with chemotherapy compared to pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC.
• HARMONi-7 is a Phase III clinical trial which is intended to evaluate ivonescimab monotherapy compared to pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with first-line metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression.

Overview Of Role

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Director of Drug Product Technical Operations to lead late-phase clinical and commercial manufacturing activities for our bispecific antibody sterile drug product. This role is critical in supporting BLA readiness, overseeing clinical/commercial batch production, and driving process and site changes in collaboration with MSAT. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in biologics manufacturing, sterile drug product operations, and regulatory expectations.

Role And Responsibilities

• Partner with MSAT to implement product, process, and site changes, ensuring robust technical oversight and documentation.
• Lead end-to-end manufacturing operations for sterile drug product, including oversight of CMOs and internal teams.
• Ensure successful execution of clinical batch manufacturing in alignment with development timelines and quality standards.
• Drive readiness for BLA filing and commercial launch, including validation and PPQ strategy.
• Ensure successful execution of commercial batch manufacturing in alignment with supply plan and quality standards.
• Lead investigations and root cause analyses for manufacturing deviations and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies aligned with program milestones and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Regulatory, Quality, Supply Chain, and CMC teams to ensure integrated planning and execution.
• Manage budgets, timelines, and resources for manufacturing operations.
• Ensure GMP compliance across all manufacturing activities.
• Support audits and inspections.
• Maintain strong documentation practices and contribute to regulatory submissions.
• All other duties as assigned.

Experience, Education And Specialized Knowledge And Skills

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field; PhD or MS preferred.
• Minimum of 12+ years of experience in biologics manufacturing, with a focus on sterile drug product and late-phase development.
• Proven track record in BLA preparation, PPQ, and commercial launch.
• Strong knowledge of regulatory expectations (FDA, EMA) for biologics.
• Experience managing external manufacturing partners and internal cross-functional teams.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Summit does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact Summit’s Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail] to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to Summit.

Seniority Level

Director

Employment Type

Full-time

Job Function

Strategy/Planning and Information Technology