Manufacturing Unit Lead-Drug Substance

Novartis; Durham (CA); On-site; USD 139,000 - 257,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis in Morrisville, NC is seeking an Associate Director, Manufacturing Unit Head to lead the new Drug Substance site from start-up through commercial production. You will build and coach a high-performing team, drive safety, quality, and regulatory readiness, and shape world-class manufacturing capabilities from the ground up.

The role blends technical leadership with strategic vision: oversee processes, validation, equipment, and operations; champion operational excellence; and collaborate

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of pharmaceutical or life sciences manufacturing experience in GMP environment.
• Minimum 5 years of people leadership experience managing manufacturing operations and developing high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading quality, compliance, inspection readiness, and regulatory audit activities.
• Strong knowledge of Drug Substance manufacturing processes, validation, qualification, and commercial operations.
• Proven ability to drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration in a regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead Drug Substance manufacturing operations from facility start-up through commercial production.
• Provide technical leadership for manufacturing processes, equipment, validation, and operational readiness activities.
• Ensure safe, compliant, and reliable manufacturing operations aligned with cGMP requirements.
• Build, lead, coach, and develop a high-performing manufacturing team while maintaining training compliance.
• Drive inspection readiness and support successful regulatory inspections, audits, and compliance activities.
• Lead deviation investigations, root cause analysis, and implementation of effective CAPAs.
• Champion operational excellence initiatives to enhance productivity, process robustness, and manufacturing performance.
• Explore and leverage data and technology to support the site’s digital transformation journey.

Skills

People leadership

Regulatory readiness

Cross-functional collaboration

Operational excellence

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacy, or related

Job description

Band

Level 5

Job Description Summary

Location: Morrisville, NC
This is an Associate Director level role.

Imagine leading the launch and long-term success of a state-of-the-art Drug Substance manufacturing organization at Novartis. As Manufacturing Unit Head, you will play a pivotal role in building and leading a high-performing team while shaping the future of manufacturing operations at our new Morrisville site. From facility start-up and operational readiness through commercial operations, you will drive manufacturing excellence, foster a culture of safety and quality, and deliver reliable supply for patients. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact by combining technical expertise, people leadership, and strategic vision to establish world-class manufacturing capabilities from the ground up.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Drug Substance manufacturing operations from facility start-up through commercial production. Serve as the process owner and end-user representative for Drug Substance (DS) manufacturing, process equipment, and systems throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide technical leadership for manufacturing processes, equipment, validation, and operational readiness activities.
• Ensure safe, compliant, and reliable manufacturing operations aligned with cGMP requirements.
• Build, lead, coach, and develop a high-performing manufacturing team while maintaining training compliance.
• Drive inspection readiness and support successful regulatory inspections, audits, and compliance activities.
• Lead deviation investigations, root cause analysis, and implementation of effective Corrective and Preventive Actions.
• Champion operational excellence initiatives to enhance productivity, process robustness, and manufacturing performance.
• Explore and leverage data and technology to support the site’s digital transformation journey.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of pharmaceutical or life sciences manufacturing experience in GMP environment.
• Minimum 5 years of people leadership experience managing manufacturing operations and developing high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading quality, compliance, inspection readiness, and regulatory audit activities.
• Strong knowledge of Drug Substance manufacturing processes, validation, qualification, and commercial operations.
• Proven ability to drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration in a regulated environment.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience with Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), freeze drying (lyophilization), manufacturing skids, and oligonucleotide manufacturing.
• Lean Management, Operational Excellence certification, or comparable qualifications.

The salary for this position is expected to range between $138,600 and $257,400 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

To learn more about the culture, rewards and benefits we offer our people click here.

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EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

https://www.novartis.com/careers/careers-research/notice-all-applicants-us-job-openings

Salary Range

$138,600.00 - $257,400.00

Skills Desired

Data Analytics