Director, External Manufacturing

Johnson & Johnson•Titusville, NJ

2d•$154,000 - $265,650•Hybrid

About The Position

Johnson & Johnson is seeking a Director, External Manufacturing Operations to lead operations across its North America external manufacturing network. The role leads virtual plant managers and cross-functional teams responsible for external sites that supply new and established commercial medicines, connecting manufacturing excellence with reliable supply for patients. It advances quality, operational and compliance readiness, cost competitiveness, partnership value, and network resilience through performance management, technology transfers, innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. The Director shapes the team’s operating structure and accountabilities to deliver short- and long-term priorities for Innovative Medicine Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Technical Operations, and the External Manufacturing Platform. The position manages spend of more than $50 million and uses external-market insight and business judgment to guide decisions across the platform. The role collaborates with internal and external partners at site and above-site levels, and is an onsite/hybrid position based in Horsham, Pennsylvania, or Titusville, New Jersey.

Requirements

Master’s degree required; another advanced degree is preferred.
At least 10 years of experience spanning pharmaceutical manufacturing operations and business management, such as business development, procurement, or value chain management.
Strong demonstrated knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, particularly manufacturing.
At least 3 years of people-management experience, including demonstrated cross-cultural people and team leadership.
Demonstrated 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 clear, actionable enterprise priorities and influence decisions across a large, complex, matrixed organization.
Strong influencing skills and ability to consider issues from multiple viewpoints.
Proven track record in attracting and developing talent.
Prior success in a major change role as an architect and/or implementation leader.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and build a strong team culture.
Demonstrated flexibility in responding to changes in external and internal environments.

Nice To Haves

Small-molecule/synthetics drug product or packaging experience.
External Manufacturing experience and leadership.
Strong upward potential for broader leadership responsibilities.
High credibility with internal business partners and within the external manufacturing supply chain community.
Preferred skills include Agile Manufacturing, Compliance Management, Contract Management, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Developing Others, Good Manufacturing Practices, Inclusive Leadership, Industry Analysis, Leadership, Negotiation, Performance Measurement, Plant Operations, Relationship Building, Resource Planning, Spend Analysis, Strategic Sourcing, Strategic Supply Chain Management, and Vendor Selection.

Responsibilities

Lead pharmaceutical manufacturing operations across the regional external manufacturing network, delivering reliable medicine 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 metrics for supply reliability, process effectiveness, inspection readiness, compliance, and cost competitiveness.
Coordinate Procurement, Planning/Network, External Quality, and MSAT to resolve manufacturing challenges and align supplier strategy, contractual commitments, supply and purchase-order optimization, compliance risk management, and regulatory readiness.
Lead operational execution of technology transfers, new product launches, line extensions, and product changes at external manufacturers.
Build an operating culture of early risk visibility, rigorous problem-solving, decisive action, and shared accountability.
Develop external partnerships to mitigate operational and compliance risks, accelerate innovation, and strengthen network resilience.
Partner with Procurement to improve cost performance and identify cost-reduction opportunities.
Define and prioritize requirements, expectations, results, and partner needs across internal functions and external partners, linking manufacturing execution to patient and business outcomes.
Shape the external manufacturing network and influence and support IMSC strategy using operational knowledge and external-market insight.
Build external partnerships that support transparency into operational readiness, technology, capacity, regulatory and industry changes, and shared road maps for innovation, resilience, and performance.
Benchmark J&J sites, partner companies, and adjacent industries to identify innovations, continuous improvement opportunities, and best practices.
Anticipate operational, supply, quality, and compliance risks; drive preventive actions and help evolve governance and compliance approaches as regulatory expectations change.
Ensure the team serves as a single point of contact to connect and implement strategic initiatives, including J&J Digital Strategy, capacity expansions, OPEX, and asset management.
Lead, develop, and performance-manage a high-performing team; create development plans and coach team members to influence business and patient outcomes through understanding of supply landscapes and end-to-end product flows.

Benefits

Company consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)), subject to plan terms.
Vacation: 120 hours per calendar year, subject to policy and hire date.
Sick time: 40 hours per calendar year; 48 hours for Colorado residents and 56 hours for Washington residents, subject to policy and hire date.
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 child’s birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
Bereavement leave: 240 hours for an immediate family member and 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year.
Caregiver leave: 80 hours in a rolling 52-week period.
Volunteer leave: 32 hours per calendar year.
Military spouse time off: 80 hours per calendar year.