Associate External Operations Manager

Novartis AG; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis AG in Hyderabad, India seeks an External Operations Manager to plan, execute and supervise packaging and distribution with external vendors in the CMO network. You will partner with CTSM/SCM, manage packaging orders in SAP and ensure timelines, quality and cost targets are met.

The role requires 4–6 years in pharma/chemical operations, with strong project management, leadership and communication skills. A background in GMP/HSE is essential for effective cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• 4 to 6 years of practical experience in chemical/pharmaceutical industry or >3 years in related field.
• 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 RFPs, vendor selection, Grants, PO, invoice approval and tracking metrics.
• Guides packaging design optimization and advises on packaging to optimize capacity and budget.
• Coordinates packaging orders with study teams and ensures timelines align with study requirements.
• Acts as main business partner for vendor interactions; reviews vendor capacity and distribution against study needs.
• Coordinates material routing and inventory management for packaging orders at external vendors.
• Liaises with CTSM/SCM to create packaging orders per project requirements.
• Interacts with SCM and CTSM to flag bottlenecks due to item availability at local hubs.
• Ensures cost-efficient material flow, minimizes waste, and accommodates changing demand.
• Manages packaging activities executed by vendors and creates packaging orders in SAP.
• Coordinates logistics documents for import requirements.
• Manages deviations at external vendors and escalates high-level issues to stakeholders; participates in external inspections.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Negotiation

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Education

Degree in science or engineering

Apprenticeship or formal logistics education

Job description

Job Description:

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

Job Description

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.

Skills Desired

Continual Improvement Process, Master Data, Materials Management, Production Planning, Waterfall Model