Associate Director, Program Supply Chain

The Associate Director, Program Supply Chain is responsible for leading the end-to-end establishment and management of external clinical drug product manufacturing partnerships supporting pharmaceutical development programs. The position serves as the primary operational relationship lead for designated third-party manufacturers and provides project and supplier management leadership from initial supplier engagement and onboarding through manufacturing execution, product release, and delivery to AbbVie.
The role leads cross-functional teams to establish new third-party manufacturing relationships, define project requirements, coordinate agreements and supplier readiness, develop integrated project plans, and oversee execution against program objectives. The position ensures that external manufacturing activities are effectively planned and executed to meet quality, regulatory, schedule, supply, and financial expectations.
The Associate Director leads a team of approximately 5–7 direct reports responsible for project and supplier management activities. The position is accountable for establishing clear priorities, developing organizational capability, coaching and developing talent, and ensuring effective deployment of resources across the external manufacturing portfolio.
Through direct people leadership and cross-functional matrix leadership, the Associate Director proactively identifies and mitigates project and supply risks, manages supplier performance, drives issue resolution and continuous improvement, and ensures effective communication and escalation to senior leadership.
Responsibilities:
Lead establishment and onboarding of new third-party manufacturing partners
Serve as the primary operational relationship lead for assigned third-party manufacturers
Lead cross-functional project teams supporting external manufacturing
Provide end-to-end project oversight of third-party drug product manufacturing
Represent projects at supplier governance and manage supplier performance
Lead proactive project and supply risk management
Coordinate contractual activities supporting external manufacturing D
Drive cross-functional issue resolution and provide program visibility to leadership
Lead, develop, and build capabilities within a team of 5–7 project and supplier management professionals
Drive continuous improvement of the external manufacturing operating model
Bachelor’s Degree in Science or Engineering or related degree, required; MBA or higher education desired but not required
10+ years Pharmaceutical, Device Engineering or Operations Experience preferred
6+ years of Program Management Experience
Project Risk Management
Demonstrated success as a collaborative team player
Proven ability to communicate and deliver results, actions, decisions and concerns with little direction or supervision in a timely manner
Broad, diverse, cross-functional or cross-divisional experience
Ability to think strategically and creatively

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
Yes