Associate Director, External DP Supply Chain – Clinical

BioSpace; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 117,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly in Indianapolis is seeking a senior professional to source clinical drug product manufacturing capacity (Phase 1–3), with emphasis on parenteral and solid oral products. You will coordinate with CM&C and external CMOs, lead RFPs, and manage vendor relationships across the PRD ESCO network.

Responsibilities include end-to-end sourcing, proposal reviews, performance monitoring, and supporting Phase 3 transitions.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Pharmaceutics, Pharmacy, Formulation Science, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or closely related STEM discipline required.
• BS graduates must have at least 8 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical drug product R&D, GMP drug product manufacturing, and/or drug product supply chain.
• MS graduates must have at least 6 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical drug product R&D, GMP drug product manufacturing, and/or drug product supply chain.
• Parenteral Drug Product Manufacturing Experience Required
• Demonstrated experience managing external CMO relationships and working knowledge of clinical (Phase 1–3) drug product manufacturing and related CMC, Quality, Regulatory, and HSE requirements.
• Strong vendor relationship management, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills; ability to communicate effectively across cultures and organizational levels, in both written and verbal formats.
• Experience leading supplier due diligence and qualification efforts, including on-site assessments.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, manage competing priorities, and adjust quickly to change.

Responsibilities

• End-to-End Clinical Drug Product Sourcing
• Partner with Clinical GMP DP supply group and CM&C teams to assess clinical drug product manufacturing needs and match those needs against Lilly's portfolio of contract manufacturing partners, based on capability, capacity, and modality fit
• Lead Drug Product RFP authoring working with technical subject matter experts across PRD (CM&C, CSD, BRD, and SMDD); partner with Procurement on sourcing process and evaluation of proposals
• Serve as the DP Supply Chain resource for external CMOs during the sourcing process
• Lead review of proposals and generate external sourcing recommendations in partnership with program team, functional leadership, and Procurement
• Supply Chain Operations – Contribute to and help ensure network-wide adherence to PRD Drug Product guidance documentation and standards
• Continuously assess the drug product manufacturing partner portfolio against current and forecasted PRD needs to identify gaps or emerging risk
• Partner with Procurement to identify, RFI, and shortlist new manufacturing partners where portfolio gaps exist, and lead due diligence teams — including on-site visits — to assess candidate providers
• Support the PRD DP Platform Strategies by filtering new vendor needs against established platform guidance

Skills

Vendor relationship management

Negotiation

Cross-cultural communication

Program management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Pharmaceutics/Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences/related STEM

Job description

Lilly in Indianapolis is seeking a senior professional to source clinical drug product manufacturing capacity (Phase 1–3), with emphasis on parenteral and solid oral products. You will coordinate with CM&C and external CMOs, lead RFPs, and manage vendor relationships across the PRD ESCO network.

Responsibilities include end-to-end sourcing, proposal reviews, performance monitoring, and supporting Phase 3 transitions.