Head of External Sterile Operations (Anywhere in Europe)

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.

Responsibilities

• 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

Qualifications

• 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

Benefits

• Competitive salaries
• Benefits
• Inclusive environment
• Career progression opportunities
• Work‑life balance initiatives