Overview

As Head of External Sterile Operations, you own strategy, governance, and performance for the external manufacturing network within the Sterile Vertical. You lead a team of External Operations Managers, manage senior supplier relationships, and drive cross-functional alignment to ensure supply continuity, quality, and cost targets. You steer major negotiations, capacity decisions, and escalation management, shaping external operations standards across the network. This role offers a chance to impact global sterile manufacturing and partner with cross-functional leaders to sustain performance and risk management at scale. You will work in a diverse, inclusive culture focused on sustainable,-c

Retribuzione / Benefits

- competitive salaries
- benefits
- inclusive environment
- career progression opportunities
- work-life balance initiatives

Responsabilità

- Lead a team of External Operations Managers responsible for CDMO relationships
- Own strategy, governance, and performance of external manufacturing partners within scope
- Oversee senior-level supplier relationship management across supply, quality, service, cost, and contract adherence
- Lead executive governance meetings and performance reviews with external partners
- Negotiate major commercial, contractual, and capacity arrangements with CDMOs
- Collaborate with Global Supply Planning and leadership on supply strategy and network priorities
- Manage major escalations and recovery directions for significant supply or performance issues
- Drive cross-functional alignment across Supply Chain, Quality, Technical Services, Procurement, and others




- Set priorities for External Operations and drive accountability across stakeholders
- Support development of external operations standards, governance, and practices

Requisiti fondamentali

- 15+ years of sterile operations experience
- Extensive experience managing complex third-party manufacturing or CDMO relationships in regulated industries
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams in a matrix environment
- Strong background in external manufacturing, supplier relationship management, or network operations
- Experience leading commercial, capacity, or contract negotiations with external partners
- Experience engaging with third-party suppliers in supply chain, manufacturing, technical operations, procurement, or quality roles
- Proven track record managing major escalations and supply disruptions across internal and external stakeholders
- Experience setting strategy and governance for supplier performance, including scorecards and risk management
- Prior people leadership experience across a complex operation
- Experience with sterile manufacturing or sterile supply chain preferred
- Experience supporting product transfers, launches, lifecycle changes, or network changes with external manufacturers would be valuable
- Exposure to financial, commercial, or business planning related to supplier management
- Non-traditional backgrounds considered if able to demonstrate cross-functional execution and managing complex third-party relationships

- leadership
- strategic thinking
- cross-functional collaboration
- external manufacturing
- supplier relationship management
- CDMO management

📌 Head of External Sterile Operations (Anywhere in Europe) (Lucca)
🏢 Viatris
📍 Lucca