Site MS&T Head SMO - Drug Substance

DTX Pharma, a Novartis Company; Morrisville (NC); On-site; USD 139,000 - 257,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis is seeking a Site MS&T DS Head at Associate Director level for Morrisville, NC. This role leads scientific strategy, oversees technology transfers, validation, and compliance to support life-saving medicines worldwide.

You will drive end-to-end lifecycle oversight, partner with global teams, and develop talent to strengthen process capability, quality, and reliability at the Morrisville site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science or related field; master’s preferred.
• Minimum 10 years in manufacturing; pharma formulation or process development experience welcomed.
• Proven quality and regulatory compliance experience across multiple health authorities.
• Strong knowledge of applied statistics and pharmaceutical analytical testing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site MS&T DS organization, setting vision, priorities, and technical strategy aligned with site objectives.
• Ensure end-to-end product stewardship and technical oversight throughout the commercial product lifecycle.
• Drive process robustness, continuous improvement, and manufacturing excellence across products, processes, and technologies.
• Oversee technical changes, validation programs, and compliance activities to maintain inspection readiness.
• Lead technology transfers, product launches, and scale-up activities to deliver successful implementation outcomes.
• Partner with site and global teams to resolve technical challenges and strengthen process capability.
• Develop technical talent, succession plans, and knowledge-sharing programs to build organizational capability.

Skills

Applied Statistics

Leadership

Manufacturing Production

Manufacturing Technologies

Operational Excellence

Process Control

Quality Compliance

Regulatory Compliance

Technical Leadership

Technology Transfer

Education

Bachelor’s Degree Required

Master’s degree in Science, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Technology, or equivalent

Job description

Band
Level 5

Job Description Summary
Location: Morrisville, NC

**The Site, Manufacturing, Science & Technology Head - Small Molecule Drug Substance is an Associate Director level role.**

Imagine leading the scientific and technical strategy behind a cutting-edge manufacturing site that delivers life-changing medicines to patients around the world. As the Site MS&T DS organization, partnering across site functions and global teams to optimize processes, enable successful product launches and transfers, strengthen validation and compliance programs, and build the technical capabilities that support the future growth of the Morrisville site. In this highly visible position, you will influence site strategy, develop top talent, and help bring breakthrough therapies to patients with quality, reliability, and speed.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the site MS&T DS organization, setting vision, priorities, and technical strategy aligned with site objectives.
• Ensure end-to-end product stewardship and technical oversight throughout the commercial product lifecycle.
• Drive process robustness, continuous improvement, and manufacturing excellence across products, processes, and technologies.
• Oversee technical changes, validation programs, and compliance activities to maintain inspection readiness.
• Lead technology transfers, product launches, and scale-up activities to deliver successful implementation outcomes.
• Partner with site and global teams to resolve technical challenges and strengthen process capability.
• Develop technical talent, succession plans, and knowledge-sharing programs to build organizational capability.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree Required. Master’s degree in Science, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Technology, or equivalent scientific discipline preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in manufacturing. Additional specialist experience is preferred (e.g., pharmaceutical formulation, process development, manufacturing technology).
• Proven experience driving quality and compliance in an organization.
• Strong working knowledge of applied statistics, quality systems and regulatory requirements across multiple health authorities.
• Fundamental understanding of standard pharmaceutical analytical testing. .
• Demonstrated leadership experience building, developing, and leading high-performing technical and scientific teams.

Desirable Requirements

• Diverse pharmaceutical experience needed. Specifically, Small Molecule experience - API/Drug Substance/Oligonucleotideis highly preferred.

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.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

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.

Salary Range
$138,600.00 - $257,400.00

Skills Desired
Applied Statistics, Leadership, Manufacturing Production, Manufacturing Technologies, Operational Excellence, Process Control, Quality Compliance, Regulatory Compliance, Technical Leadership, Technology Transfer