Director, External Manufacturing

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine•Horsham, PA

4d•$154,000 - $265,650•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director, External Manufacturing Operations leads operations across Johnson & Johnson’s North America external manufacturing network, overseeing virtual plant managers and external sites that supply new and established commercial medicines. The role is accountable for reliable medicine supply, manufacturing performance, quality and compliance readiness, cost competitiveness, and strong external partnerships. It manages spending of more than $50 million and connects operational leadership with patient and business outcomes. The Director sets team structure, accountabilities, targets, and performance measures in support of Innovative Medicine Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Technical Operations, and the External Manufacturing Platform. The position drives technology transfers, new product launches, line extensions, product changes, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. It also contributes external-market insight and business judgment to network strategy, risk management, and long-term resilience. This people-leadership role develops a high-performing team and collaborates with internal functions and external partners at site and above-site levels. The position is described as onsite/hybrid, with listed locations in Horsham, Pennsylvania, and Titusville, New Jersey.

Requirements

Master’s degree required; another advanced degree is preferred.
At least 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing operations and business management, with preference for drug product manufacturing.
Strong knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, particularly manufacturing.
At least 3 years of people-management experience, including cross-cultural people and team leadership.
Knowledge of Quality, Technical Operations, Finance, Planning, and Procurement.
Understanding of end-to-end supply chain considerations and methods for driving continuous improvement.
Demonstrated experience delivering negotiated agreements.
Demonstrated experience in strategy development.
General Manager supply chain and/or site-based operational leadership experience is required.
Ability to translate operational insights into actionable enterprise priorities and influence decisions across a large, complex, matrixed organization.
Credibility with internal business partners and the external manufacturing supply chain community.
Strong influencing skills and ability to consider issues from multiple viewpoints.
Track record of attracting and developing talent.
Success in a major change role as an architect and/or implementation leader.
Track record of leading cross-functional teams and building a strong team culture.
Flexibility to respond to changes in external and internal environments.
Key competencies include business and pharmaceutical technical acumen, operational leadership, compliance and pharmaceutical regulations, strategy development and strategic decision-making, supply chain optimization, business case development, and influencing others.

Nice To Haves

Small molecule, synthetics drug product, or packaging experience.
External Manufacturing experience and leadership.
Another advanced degree.

Responsibilities

Lead pharmaceutical manufacturing operations across the regional external manufacturing network to deliver reliable supply and sustained manufacturing performance.
Mobilize virtual plant leaders and cross-functional teams to meet near-term commitments and build long-term operational capabilities and resilience.
Anticipate and resolve supply, process, quality, compliance, and financial risks before they affect patients or business performance.
Set operational targets and forward-looking performance metrics for supply reliability, process effectiveness, inspection readiness, compliance, and cost competitiveness.
Coordinate Procurement, Planning/Network, External Quality, and MSAT to address manufacturing challenges and align priorities.
Lead operational execution of technology transfers, new product launches, line extensions, and product changes at external manufacturers.
Build an operating culture focused on early risk visibility, problem-solving, decisive action, and shared accountability.
Strengthen external partnerships to mitigate operational and compliance risks, accelerate innovation, and improve network resilience.
Partner with Procurement to improve cost performance and capture cost-reduction opportunities.
Define and prioritize requirements, expectations, results, and partner needs across IMSC functions and external partners.
Shape the external manufacturing network and support IMSC strategy using operational knowledge and external-market insight.
Develop differentiated external partnerships and shared road maps for innovation, resilience, and performance.
Benchmark J&J sites, partner companies, and adjacent industries to identify innovations and continuous-improvement opportunities.
Anticipate operational, supply, quality, and compliance risks; drive preventive actions and help evolve governance and compliance approaches.
Connect and implement strategic initiatives, including J&J Digital Strategy, capacity expansions, OPEX, and asset management.
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team through performance management and development planning.
Help team members influence business and patient outcomes through understanding of supply landscapes and end-to-end product flows.

Benefits

Participation in the company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension), subject to plan terms.
Participation in the company’s savings plan (401(k)), subject to plan terms.
Vacation: 120 hours per calendar year, subject to policy and date of hire.
Sick time: 40 hours per calendar year, with different stated amounts for employees residing in Colorado or Washington.
Holiday pay, including floating holidays: 13 days per calendar year.
Work, Personal and Family Time: up to 40 hours per calendar year.
Parental Leave: 480 hours within one year of a birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
Bereavement Leave: up to 240 hours for an immediate family member and 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year.
Caregiver Leave: 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period.
Volunteer Leave: 32 hours per calendar year.
Military Spouse Time-Off: 80 hours per calendar year.