Director, Technical Centre

AbbVie; Westport; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie Westport is seeking a Director, Technical Centre to lead the site’s technical function, interfacing R&D, PDS&T and ME&C to ensure effective transfer activities and a sustainable future.

The role focuses on process development, validation, and collaboration with CMOs to maximize site impact while advancing digital and strategic initiatives. Westport hosts an aseptic manufacturing centre of excellence.

Qualifications

• Extensive Drug Product experience is essential.
• Proven leadership and people management across levels.
• End-to-end product transfer experience with regulatory knowledge.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment and manage constraints.
• 10+ years in pharmaceutical technical or related roles.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for technical transfer across R&D, PDS&T, and ME&C.
• Drive process development, yield improvements, and validation activities.
• Oversee NRPI/NP I introductions and regulatory filings collaboration.
• Collaborate with global CMC teams on transfers and filings.
• Foster safety culture and support due diligence and digital initiatives.

Skills

Leadership & people mgmt

Regulatory knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Adaptability

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/science/technology

Master's or PhD preferred

Job description

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com . Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook , Instagram , X and YouTube.

Job Description

The Director, Technical Centre at AbbVie, Westport, is a strategic leadership role that is pivotally in managing and advancing the technical function across multiple critical areas.

Westport is an Aseptic manufacturing centre of excellence with up to 1400 employees’ site wide.

This role acts as an essential interface between Research & Development (R&D), Pharmaceutical Development Science & Technology (PDS&T), and Manufacturing Engineering & Controls (ME&C) to ensure effective technical transfer activities and a sustainable future for our site. It also focuses on exploring both internal and external Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) opportunities to maximize our impact.

As part of our culture we are constantly advancing capabilities and leveraging the latest technology via the power of a diverse and equitable workforce.
Westport is one of the Wild Atlantic Way's most picturesque and family-friendly towns, serviced by Ireland West Airport and with director routes by rail and road to Dublin.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for Unit Dose and Multi Dose process-related issues and investigations.
• Drive process development and yield improvements.
• Manage Drug Substance introductions and monitor core processes.
• Oversee performance activities and requalification standards.
• Support bioassay teams with bioanalytical investigations.
• Track and analyse process investigations, adapting for improvements.
• Support in the adaptation of API and excipient changes.
• Facilitate label, adhesive, and packaging changes.
• Offer technical support for plastics moulding processes.
• Lead initiatives in process validation, facility requalification, and sterilization qualifications.
• Oversee cleaning and computer system validations.
• Spearhead NPI introductions focusing on the neurotoxin and biologic pipelines
• Collaborate with global CMC teams and PDDs on NPI transfers and regulatory filings.

Additional Responsibilities

• Foster a strong safety culture and support due diligence activities.
• Engage with Global PM teams and support ASQ projects.
• Manage the Biolab process development lab.
• Drive digital initiatives and technical strategic planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in a Relevant Discipline (Masters/Ph.D. in Engineering, Science, or Technology is a distinct advantage).
• Extensive Drug Product experience is an essential requirement for this role.
• Proven leadership and people management experienceacross various levels and departments - leader of leaders.
• Experience in end-to-end Product Transfer and launch phases, with strong regulatory
• knowledge.
• Exceptional collaborative, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Over 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical technical or relevant roles.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment, with adaptability to manage unexpected constraints.

Additional Information

At AbbVie Westport, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working in a collaborative and innovative environment. We invest in our people, support career development, and empower our teams to deliver excellence in everything we do. Join us and help shape the future of healthcare through engineering innovation and operational excellence.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: