Head of External Sterile Operations

Viatris
Viatris is a global healthcare company uniquely positioned to bridge the traditional divide between generics and brands, combining the best of both to more holistically address healthcare needs globally. With a mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, we provide access at scale, currently supplying high-quality medicines to approximately 1 billion patients around the world annually and touching all of life's moments, from birth to the end of life, acute conditions to chronic diseases.

The Role & What You Will Be Doing
Every day, we rise to the challenge to make a difference, and here’s how the Head of External Sterile Operations role will make an impact:
This position has overall responsibility for the strategy, governance, and performance of an assigned segment of the external manufacturing network within the Sterile Vertical. The role leads a team of External Operations Managers and is accountable for senior-level supplier relationship management across supply, quality, service, cost, contract compliance, and risk. The position works closely with Supply Chain, Quality, Technical Services, and other business partners to align priorities and drive performance across external manufacturers. In addition, the role leads major negotiations, capacity decisions, and escalation management, and helps define external operations standards and ways of working across the network.

Key Responsibilities
Individual

• Lead a team of External Operations Managers responsible for assigned CDMO relationships
• Own the strategy, governance, and overall performance of external manufacturing partners within assigned scope
• Lead senior-level supplier relationship management across supply, quality, service, cost, and contract adherence
• Lead executive governance meetings, business reviews, and performance discussions with external partners
• Lead major commercial, contractual, and capacity negotiations with CDMO
• Partner with Global Supply Planning and business leadership on supply strategy, capacity alignment, and network priorities
• Own major escalations and recovery direction for significant supply, operational, or performance issues
• Drive cross-functional alignment across Supply Chain, Quality, Technical Services, Procurement, and other functions
• Set priorities and expectations for the External Operations team and drive accountability across internal and external stakeholders
• Support the development of external operations standards, governance, and operating practices across the network

Shared

• Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, Legal, and Technical Services on supplier strategy, risk management, and execution
• Partner with senior business leadership on external network performance, supply continuity, and long-term partner management

About Your Skills & Experience
For this role, we’re looking for a candidate who has an effective combination of the following qualifications, skills, and experiences:

• 15+ years of sterile operations experience
• Significant experience leading complex third-party manufacturing or CDMO relationships in pharmaceuticals, biotech, or other highly regulated industries
• Experience managing cross-functional teams in a matrix environment
• Strong background in external manufacturing, supplier relationship management, or network operations
• Experience leading commercial, capacity, or contract negotiations with external partners
• Experience in supply chain, manufacturing, technical operations, procurement, or quality roles that required direct engagement with third-party suppliers
• Experience managing major escalations, supply disruptions, or performance issues across internal and external stakeholders
• Experience setting strategy and governance for supplier performance, including business reviews, scorecards, and risk management
• Prior people leadership experience, including leading managers or directors across a complex operational scope
• Experience working with sterile manufacturing, sterile supply chain, or sterile external networks preferred
• Experience supporting product transfers, launches, lifecycle changes, or network changes involving external manufacturers would be valuable
• Exposure to financial, commercial, or business planning activities related to supplier management
• Non-traditional backgrounds will be considered where candidates have demonstrated success leading cross-functional execution and managing complex third-party relationships.

Why Viatris?
At Viatris, we offer competitive salaries, benefits, and an inclusive environment where you can use your experiences, perspectives, and skills to help make an impact on the lives of others. You will also have the opportunity to access excellent career progression opportunities and work-life balance initiatives.

Viatris is an Equal Opportunity Employer.