Senior Director Centralized 3d Party Manufacturing & Relationship Management, HNC

dsm-firmenich; Poznań; On-site; PLN 350,000 - 700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel opportunities

Global collaboration

Job summary

dsm-firmenich seeks a Senior Director for C3PM to ensure the right capabilities, resources, and processes are in place to manage the external manufacturing landscape and support industrialization of new products.

You will lead the C3PM team and drive stakeholder management across HNC and business units, ensuring collaboration and operational excellence in a dynamic, regulated environment. Travel required up to 25%.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
• 10+ years in senior operations, supply chain, or product management roles in food/pharma.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional and multicultural teams.
• Fluency in English; additional languages a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage and improve performance of external manufacturers (cost, quality, service).
• Lead strategic supplier relationships and align with commercial agreements.
• Ensure supply reliability, governance, and issue resolution.
• Implement new 3rd party manufacturing flows to support innovation.
• Develop and maintain the external manufacturing network for growth.
• Ensure quality and regulatory compliance across the portfolio.
• Interface with customers on documentation, changes, and quality topics.
• Maintain compliance of quality systems with food safety and pharma regs.
• Lead and develop a team of ca. 20 employees; foster continuous improvement.

Skills

Influencing skills

Negotiation

Leadership

Communication skills

Strategic mindset

Education

Master’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Location: Poznan (Poland), Delft (the Netherlands) or Barcelona (Spain) Travelling: up to 25% (with frequent trips to Poznan)

The Health, Nutrition & Care (HNC) Centralized 3rd Party Manufacturing (C3PM) Team of dsm-firmenich is responsible for the operational management of HNC’s externally manufactured product portfolio, produced through a global network of contract manufacturers and tolling partners. These products are brought to market under the dsm-firmenich brand, reflecting our high standards of quality and service. The team’s scope also includes Global MRS (Market Ready Solutions) products launched via the Innovation team.

The C3PM portfolio comprises more than 120 products - including over 30 pharmaceutical products, delivered through approximately 20 external partners worldwide. Primarily focused on dietary supplement and pharmaceutical markets, this portfolio is dynamic and continuously evolving. Several products operate within highly regulated environments, requiring strict compliance with applicable regulations and licensing requirements (e.g., pharmaceuticals and controlled substances).

As Senior Director C3PM, you will ensure that the right capabilities, resources, and processes are in place to effectively manage this external manufacturing landscape and support the successful industrialization of new products.

You will lead the C3PM team and play a key role in stakeholder management - both within HNC and across business units - ensuring seamless collaboration and operational excellence across the third‑party manufacturing portfolio.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage and improve performance (cost, quality, service) of HNC’s third‑party manufacturers, including escalation and crisis handling.
• Lead strategic supplier relationship with selected suppliers, aligning operational performance and the commercial agreements with business needs.
• Ensure supply reliability, strong governance, and effective issue resolution.
• Implement new 3rd party manufacturing flows to support innovation and strategic priorities.
• Maintain and develop the external manufacturing network to optimize cost and enable future growth.
• Ensure quality and regulatory compliance across the C3PM portfolio; manage deviations, complaints, and recalls.
• Act as key interface for customers on product documentation, changes, and quality topics.
• Maintain compliance of quality systems with food safety and pharma regulations.
• Lead and develop a team of ca. 20 employees, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and customer focus.

WE BRING

• Unique career paths across health, nutrition and beauty - explore what drives you and get the support to make it happen.
• A chance to impact millions of consumers every day – sustainability embedded in all we do.
• A science led company, cutting edge research and creativity everywhere – from biotech breakthroughs to sustainability game‑changers, you’ll work on what’s next.
• Growth that keeps up with you – you join an industry leader that will develop your expertise and leadership.
• A culture that lifts you up – with collaborative teams, shared wins, and people who cheer each other on.
• A community where your voice matters – it is essential to serve our customers well.’

YOU BRING

• Master’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in senior roles within operations, supply chain, product management, or similar functions in the food, pharma, or related industries, including expertise in:
  • Process and technology
  • Quality and regulatory compliance
  • Product and asset strategy
  • Operations and external manufacturing management
  • Contracting and supplier management
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills, with solid commercial acumen.
• Proven ability to lead and collaborate across multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Excellent communication skills, strategic mindset, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Leadership capabilities including coaching, mentoring, and stakeholder management.
• Customer‑focused, results‑driven, and pragmatic, with the ability to make risk‑based decisions.
• High level of self‑awareness, adaptability, and prioritization skills.
• Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus.

ABOUT DSM‑FIRMENICH

At dsm‑firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations – we go beyond them.

Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.

From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.

And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They’re essential to our future.

Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.

INCLUSION, BELONGING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

At dsm‑firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds - no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.

And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.

AGENCY STATEMENT

We’re managing this search directly at dsm‑firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.