Site Manager External Manufacturing and Business Operations Lead

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections,  where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

The Roche External Manufacturing group (Commercial Drug Substance) is Part of the Roche Drug Substance manufacturing unit,  we Partner with Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) and ensure that relevant  production/manufacturing targets are delivered to Roche on-time, to the highest quality and within-budget and that the CMOs operate in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) requirements and Roche corporate standards.

The External Manufacturing and Business Operations Manager has two main responsibilities: She/he is the primary relationship manager for specified partner Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) or sites. And She/he also acts as Chief of Staff for the unit, ensures strategy deployment is well executed, and carries ownership of the Performance management process for the group.

The Opportunity:

You act as the primary lead and relationship manager for CMOs throughout the entire product Lifecycle, from initial selection and implementation to decommissioning. That means:

• Lead international governance teams across diverse functions such as Quality, MSAT, Supply chain, Legal, and Procurement to ensure organizational alignment during CMO manufacturing, due diligences or Tech Transfers

• Enforce strict adherence to GMP, Quality, and SHE standards while conducting regular risk reviews to proactively address potential supply issues at CMOs

• Serves as the Chief of Staff and advisor to the DS External Manufacturing Head and site leadership team, closely collaborating on efforts to advance the portfolio toward the Drug substance Network vision

• Lead the Performance Management reporting system, including goals/KPIs, PTN Alignment, and the effective execution of weekly, monthly, and Quarterly Business Reviews

• Works closely with Finance and other stakeholders to lead the business planning and track financial performance

• Develops overall strategy for effective communication across teams, and leads and ensures Risk management across DS External Manufacturing, identifying and incorporating mitigation plans into the site's prioritized portfolio

Who You Are:

We have high expectations around end-to-end thinking and cross functional collaboration in a global network by taking ownership and delegating decisions to the appropriate level. We value an entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to constantly change or adapt in a dynamic environment. We expect you to focus on the most impactful and value adding work by prioritizing your efforts with a clear focus on creating value for the patient. You will be willing to explore new opportunities, be comfortable with ambiguity and taking smart risks, while complying with the latest regulations. Furthermore:

• Education & Core Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Life Sciences (advanced degree preferred) with 10+ years of manufacturing/operations experience within Pharma/Biotech or similarly regulated industries

• Leadership & Project Management: 3+ years leading direct reports or matrixed teams, coupled with 5+ years directing large-scale, complex cross-functional projects (Project Management certification is a plus)

• Technical & Quality Expertise: Deep proficiency in a GMP-regulated environment (specifically biologics drug substance), with a strong commitment to corporate compliance, integrity, and Lean Six Sigma/continuous improvement practices

• Procurement & Advanced Systems: Demonstrated background in sourcing strategy, category management, and ERP systems, alongside exposure to AI, machine learning, or advanced analytics in supply chain

• Business Acumen & Negotiation: Strong negotiation skills and the ability to interpret complex data to mitigate project risks and drive informed, strategic business decisions

• Communication & Mobility: Excellent English communication and presentation skills across all hierarchy levels, with the flexibility to undertake up to 25% domestic and international travel

Sounds interesting? Apply now!

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.