Associate Director, External Manufacturing Lead (Home Based / Remote)

If you are a current Jazz employee please apply via the Internal Career site

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharma company whose purpose is to innovate to transform the lives of patients and their families. We are dedicated to developing life-changing medicines for people with serious diseases — often with limited or no therapeutic options. We have a diverse portfolio of marketed medicines, including leading therapies for sleep disorders and epilepsy, and a growing portfolio of cancer treatments. Our patient-focused and science-driven approach powers pioneering research and development advancements across our robust pipeline of innovative therapeutics in oncology and neuroscience. Jazz is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with research and development laboratories, manufacturing facilities and employees in multiple countries committed to serving patients worldwide. Please visit www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com for more information.

Job Description

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is looking to hire an experienced External Manufacturing Lead (EML) to join our External Manufacturing organisation. The EML will have overall responsibility for the performance of an external Contract Manufacturing Organisation (CMO) portfolio for Drug Substance commercial products. The EML will be required to build and manage strong business relationships with the CMO and will act as the primary point of contact for all performance, contractual compliance, and supply‑related issues.

The EML will lead cross‑functional, high‑performing teams who share accountability for the performance of the CMO. The EML will develop and agree manufacture and supply plans with the CMO in alignment with Technical Operations strategy, oversee the execution of CMO operations, and ensure the delivery of robust, high‑quality, cost‑effective supply, on time and on budget.

The EML will be responsible for the periodic assessment and improvement of CMO performance through monitoring and reporting of best‑in‑class metrics and KPIs, risk identification and mitigation, and continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational efficiency and effectiveness while supporting Jazz’s Technical Operations strategy and sustainability goals.

In addition, we are seeking someone who is comfortable leading and managing change both externally and internally. The role requires the ability to influence across functions, shape new ways of working, and guide teams through organizational evolution. Experience in establishing or scaling an external manufacturing organisation, building the structures, processes, and governance needed for a high‑performing external manufacturing function is highly desirable.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

Contract Manufacturing Organisation (CMO) Relationship and Performance Management

• Build strong, strategic partnerships with CMOs to enable long‑term value creation, collaboration, and a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

• Oversee all aspects of the business relationship, ensuring CMOs meet contractual obligations and performance standards across quality, cost, delivery, compliance, and service, aligned with Jazz’s Technical Operations strategy.

• Lead External Governance meetings, ensuring outputs, actions, and decisions are documented in accordance with Jazz procedures.

• Proactively monitor, manage, and communicate CMO performance, ensuring timely issue resolution and alignment with business objectives.

• Partner with CMOs to define and implement multiyear performance‑improvement initiatives that strengthen capability, reliability, and efficiency.

Leadership and Cross-functional Collaboration

• Build and lead high‑performing cross‑functional team with shared accountability for CMO performance, ensuring supply plans, assignments, and projects are delivered to agreed standards.

• Drive the onboarding of CMOs in alignment with Technical Operations strategy.

• Serve as the primary point of contact and escalation lead for all CMO‑related business, performance, and supply issues, ensuring timely mitigation of risks and supply disruptions.

• Set objectives and multiyear plans for assigned CMOs, ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals and priorities.

• Influence internal stakeholders and lead internal change to strengthen ways of working, governance, and cross‑functional alignment.

Planning and Execution

• Develop and oversee manufacturing and supply plans for Drug Substance, bulk Drug Product, and Finished Product, ensuring delivery against agreed timelines and budgets.

• Lead internal and external meetings, driving agendas, prioritizing issues, and enabling effective decision‑making and execution.

• Develop cost plans for all required activities, ensuring budgets are approved, tracked, and managed effectively.

• Ensure cross‑functional resources are aligned and leveraged to achieve program objectives in line with corporate priorities.

• Maintain a flexible, adaptive planning mindset to respond quickly to shifting priorities and unforeseen supply‑chain challenges.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure seamless transition from development to commercial manufacturing.

Risk Management

• Lead proactive identification, documentation, and mitigation of supply risks and opportunities across assigned CMOs.

• Develop and oversee implementation of robust mitigation plans to prevent or minimize supply disruptions.

• Communicate and escalate supply and performance risks to senior management as appropriate.

• Support the development and maintenance of business continuity plans for Jazz’s external manufacturing network

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within Jazz and across CMOs to enhance quality, reduce cost, and improve supply‑chain efficiency and sustainability.

• Collaborate with CMO partners and internal stakeholders to share best practices, identify improvement opportunities, and drive operational excellence in external manufacturing.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Support the development and implementation of best practices and best-in-class metrics / KPI’s to enhance CMO performance and Technical Operations performance reporting capability.

• Utilize data analytics to monitor supplier performance metrics, identify trends, and areas for improvement.

• Prepare and present reports on CMO performance to senior management and key stakeholders as required.

Supplier Compliance and Contract Management

• Own and oversee Master Services Agreements with CMOs, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations and business needs.

• Partner with Quality, Legal, Procurement and other stakeholders to ensure supplier relationships are governed by appropriate quality and legal agreements.

• Lead CMO governance processes, ensuring compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. External Manufacturing & Supplier Relationship Management

• Strong background in managing CMOs or External Vendors within the pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical industry.

• Experience in overseeing supply agreements, contractual compliance, and CMO performance management.

• Ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships with external suppliers, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

• Proven track record of driving supplier performance improvements and resolving supply-related challenges

2. Supply Chain & Operations Management

• Hands-on experience across end-to-end supply chain management, including demand planning, production scheduling, and inventory management.

• Knowledge of manufacturing and distribution processes for drug substances, bulk drug products, and finished goods.

• Experience working with cross-functional teams to develop production plans to ensure delivery of supply while managing risks.

3. Leadership & Cross-Functional Team Management

• Experience leading and managing cross‑functional teams and key stakeholders.

• Proven ability to set clear objectives, drive accountability, and foster a high‑performance culture.

• Strong decision‑making skills in fast‑paced, complex manufacturing environments.

• Comfortable leading internal and external change, influencing ways of working, and shaping organizational evolution

4. Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

• Experience in identifying, documenting and developing risk mitigating plans in supply chain and external manufacturing operations.

• Familiarity with business continuity planning for external vendors, including contingency planning for supply disruptions.

• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives, including cost reduction, process optimization, and operational efficiency.

5. Compliance, Quality & Regulatory Knowledge

• Strong understanding of GMP, regulatory compliance, and industry standards for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

• Experience working with Quality, Regulatory Affairs, and Legal teams to ensure vendor compliance with company policies and industry regulations.

• Familiarity with supplier audits, quality agreements, and deviation/change control management.

6. Financial & Contractual Acumen

• Experience in budget management, cost forecasting, and financial tracking related to external manufacturing.

• Understanding of contract negotiation, supplier agreements, and procurement processes.

• Ability to assess financial risks and optimize cost efficiency in external supply partnerships

7. Data Analytics & Performance Management

• Experience using data analytics to monitor supplier performance, track KPIs, and drive data-driven decision-making processes.

• Ability to develop and present performance reports to senior management and key stakeholders.

• Familiar with supply chain and manufacturing software/tools (e.g., SAP, ERP systems, or other planning tools) preferred.

Preferred Industry & Functional Experience

• Industry: Pharmaceutical, Biotech, or Life Sciences (experience in highly regulated environments preferred).

• Functional Areas: Supply Chain, Manufacturing Operations, Procurement, Quality Assurance, or External Vendor Management.

• Global Experience: Working with international CMOs, suppliers, or manufacturing networks across multiple regions.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

The successful candidate will also be eligible to participate in various benefits offerings, including, but not limited to, medical, dental and vision insurance, retirement savings plan, and flexible paid vacation. For more information on our Benefits offerings please click here: https://careers.jazzpharma.com/benefits