Director, External Supply Business Program Management Lead

Pfizer • New York City, NY

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The External Supply (ES) Business Program Management Lead serves as the program-management backbone of Pfizer’s External Supply organization — the role that brings structure, governance, and execution discipline to the portfolio of strategic programs on which ES performance depends. This is a high-visibility, high-impact, Director-level individual contributor role within the ES Program Management Office (PMO), accountable for translating ES and PGS strategic priorities into well-run programs that deliver measurable outcomes on a global scale. Operating as a trusted integrator and thought partner to the ES leadership team, the incumbent brings clarity, coherence, and accountability to a multi-faceted program portfolio spanning risk, network, operational, digital, and sustainability strategy, as well as cost-savings and business-process optimization. Where assigned, the role also provides program-management oversight for PC1 (Pfizer CentreOne) tech transfers into internal Pfizer and contract-manufacturer (CMO) sites — focused on driving and tracking execution rather than technical delivery. The role is expected to champion digital and AI as a way of working — applying modern data, automation, and AI-enabled tools to how programs are run, and seek opportunities to digitize, simplify, and improve. Success is achieved largely through matrix influence rather than direct authority : the incumbent leads peers and senior stakeholders across ES and enabling functions, holds the network accountable to its commitments, and continuously matures the ES PMO operating model. The ideal candidate is strategic, highly organized, and solutions-oriented, with a digital- and AI-forward mindset, a strong bias for continuous improvement, and proven ability to drive alignment across diverse internal and external constituencies in a complex, fast-changing environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 8+ years of experience; OR a Master’s degree with more than 7+ years of experience; OR a Ph.D. with 5+ years of experience.
• Project Management and/or Operational Excellence experience
• Strong business acumen with Operational, Technical, Supply Chain, and/or Quality experience
• Ability to navigate ES organization and operate in a multicultural environment
• Develop and execute strategies with minimal guidance
• Adaptable to work priorities in response to complex and rapidly changing environment
• Fluency in English
• Knowledge and understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and regulatory requirements
• Proven track record developing corporate strategic plans, strategic narratives, and executive-level strategic materials
• Strong analytical and synthesis capability — able to move from ambiguous inputs to clear, structured recommendations
• Exceptional communicator with demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive alignment across functions without direct authority
• Comfortable operating as an individual contributor in a lean, high-expectations environment
• Ability to work autonomously and be a self-starter
• Demonstrated ability with Project Management software (MS Project, Amplify, Think Cell or equivalent)
• Well-developed interpersonal skills including leadership, integrity, team orientation, flexibility, and creativity
• Digital fluency — comfortable using data, analytics, and program dashboards (e.g., Power BI), digital project-management tools, and emerging AI/automation capabilities to drive visibility and decision-making
• Permanent work authorization in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Formal Project Management education (e.g. Certified PMP)
• Experience in operations with CMOs or external suppliers
• Comprehensive knowledge of a broad range of operational excellence methodologies / programs and the PGS I4 innovation methodology
• Ability to define, evaluate and recommend improvement opportunities across the E2E to achieve and sustain improvements
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization and a proven track record in change management
• Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.
• Lean Six Sigma and/or Operational Excellence certification (e.g., Green/Black Belt)
• Experience deploying or scaling digital, AI, or automation solutions (e.g., analytics platforms, workflow automation, GenAI tools) in a business or operations setting

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of the ES PMO’s portfolio of strategic programs — establishing program structure, integrated plans, roles/RACI, governance, and clear escalation paths.
• Drive programs to milestones and committed outcomes, proactively identifying and resolving cross-functional risks, dependencies, and bottlenecks.
• Serve as the connective tissue across ES program managers, ensuring consistent delivery standards and a single, coherent view of portfolio health.
• Prioritize and balance resources across competing initiatives, sequencing the portfolio against ES and PGS strategic priorities.
• Establish and maintain the program-management methodology, playbooks, templates, and governance that define how the ES PMO operates.
• Embed operational-excellence principles and digital/AI-enabled ways of working to continuously improve program processes, accelerate delivery, and raise PMO maturity.
• Drive program execution of ES strategic priorities spanning risk, network, operational, digital, and sustainability domains.
• Lead delivery of network and operational strategy (network optimization, agility and growth-readiness, support for PGS network decisions, and net-zero/sustainability goals).
• Manage program financials across the portfolio, ensuring spend is planned, tracked, and aligned to approved budgets.
• Lead the oversight needed to drive and track cost-savings delivery across External Supply.
• Build rigorous, objective business cases that articulate strategic rationale, financial viability, and risk to secure leadership endorsement and investment.
• Champion digital and AI ways of working across the program portfolio — embedding automation, analytics, and AI-enabled tools into how programs are planned, executed, tracked, and reported.
• Partner on implementation of the One Digital Ecosystem, translating ES needs into digital solutions and driving adoption across the network.
• Proactively identify, pilot, and scale AI and automation use cases that improve PMO efficiency, data quality, and the speed and quality of decision-making.
• Lead governance forums and key stakeholder meetings, ensuring decisions, actions, and accountabilities are clear and followed through.
• Deliver tiered status and performance reporting across T3/T4/T5, translating complex program detail into structured, decision-ready insight.
• Maintain transparent, proactive communication across ES Ops Leaders, OE, CoE, partner functions, PGS SMEs, and external partners; escalate and resolve delays with BU/T5 leadership.
• Provide program-level oversight and tracking of PC1 (Pfizer CentreOne) tech transfer execution into internal Pfizer and CMO sites.
• Lead stakeholder meetings and deliver monthly status and financial reporting on transfer progress.
• Hold internal Pfizer sites accountable to meeting PC1 customer requirements, milestones, and timelines.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned to meet business and operational needs

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions
• Additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution
• Paid vacation, holiday and personal days
• Paid caregiver/parental and medical leave
• Health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage
• Relocation assistance may be available

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director