Associate External Operations Manager

Novartis India; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis India is seeking an External Operations Manager (EOM) responsible for planning, execution and distribution at external vendors. The EOM oversees outsourcing activities including packaging and distribution, partnering with external vendors to ensure high productivity, quality and cost effectiveness.

Execute and monitor timely activities under guidance of senior associates; coordinate with CTSM/SCM and GCS study teams to align packaging orders and ensure study timelines.

Qualifications

• 4 to 6 years of practical experience in chemical/pharmaceutical industry or >3 years in relevant field with degree in science, engineering or equivalent.
• Apprenticeship or formal education in a logistical, technical or related business area.
• Basic project management, good organization and planning skills.
• Good knowledge of HSE/GMP standards and processes; problem-solving and idea generation skills.
• Good presentation skills; fundamental leadership skills.
• Good communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills; ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Manages all applicable finance activities, including RFP, vendor selection, PO, invoice approval and metrics.
• Guides design optimization for packaging; advises study teams on capacity and budget usage.
• Coordinates packaging order preparation with study team to meet timelines.
• Acts as business partner for vendor interactions; reviews capacity and distribution to meet study requirements.
• Manages material routing and inventory for packaging orders at external vendors.
• Liaises with CTSM/SCM to create packaging orders per project requirements.
• Interacts with SCM/CTSM to flag bottlenecks due to availability of items at local hubs.
• Ensures cost-efficient material flow, minimizes waste, and supports demand changes.
• Manages all packaging activities by vendors; creates packaging orders in SAP.
• Coordinates logistics documents for import requirements.
• Manages deviations with vendors and escalates issues; supports audits with QA teams.

Skills

Project management

Organization & planning

Communication & negotiation

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Degree in science, engineering or equivalent

Job description

Summary

The External Operations Manager (EOM) is responsible for planning, execution and distribution activities performed at external vendors. The EOM oversees all outsourcing activities including packaging, distribution and functions as the key business partner interface with external vendors and ensures operational excellence within the CMO network, ensuring the delivery of high productivity, quality and cost effectiveness.

Summary

The External Operations Manager (EOM) is responsible for planning, execution and distribution activities performed at external vendors. The EOM oversees all outsourcing activities including packaging, distribution and functions as the key business partner interface with external vendors and ensures operational excellence within the CMO network, ensuring the delivery of high productivity, quality and cost effectiveness.

Execute and monitor timely activities related to assigned area of responsibility under the guidance and accountability of more senior associates.

About The Role

Key Responsibilities:

• Manages all applicable finance activities, including Request for Proposal (RFP) for bidding & vendor selection, Grants, Purchase Orders (PO), invoice approval and tracking financial metrics.
• Provides guidance to the CTSM for packaging design optimization. Advises GCS Study Team on packaging designs to ensure optimal usage of available capacity and budget.
• Manages Order Alignment with GCS Study team members to coordinate packaging order preparation and to ensure proactive resolution of any packaging order related question.
• Acts as the key business partner for operational interactions with the Vendors. Reviews the vendor capacity, resource planning and distribution tracker and verifies this with the study requirements to ensure the study timelines and specifications are met.
• Coordinates material routing and inventory management of all drug product, primary packed materials, packaging components and labels for packaging orders at external vendors.
• Liaises with CTSM/SCM on a regular basis to create packaging orders based on the project specific requirements.
• Interacts with the SCM and CTSM to flag potential issues or bottlenecks due to availability of PP/DP or locally/ regionally sources items at the respective local hub.
• Ensures most cost-efficient material flow, minimizing waste and allowing the flexibility to accommodate the changing demand.
• Manages all packaging activities executed by vendors and ensures agreed milestones and cost are met and creates packaging orders in SAP.
• Coordinates logistic documents for facilitating import requirements.
• Manages deviations occurring at external vendors and escalates high level issues/bottlenecks to the relevant internal GCS stakeholders and external partners. Participates or supports external inspections and audits together with TRD QA (and GCP QA where applicable) to assess packaging contractor capabilities.

Essential Requirements

• 4 to 6 years of practical experience in chemical / pharmaceutical industry or > 3 years of experience in field of expertise, with Degree in science, engineering or equivalent.
• Apprenticeship or formal education in a logistical, technical or related business area
• Basic project management, good organization and planning skills
• Good knowledge of HSE/GMP standards and processes. Problem-solving and idea generation skills
• Good presentation skills. Fundamental Leadership skills.
• Good communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills. Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.

Why Novartis:

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Benefits and Rewards:

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