Associate Director, Technical Operations
WuXi AppTec is a trusted partner and contributor to the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, providing R&D and manufacturing services that help advance healthcare innovation. With operations across Asia, Europe, and North America, we offer integrated, end‑to‑end services through our unique CRDMO (Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization) platform. Guided by our vision that every drug can be made and every disease can be treated, we are committed to advancing breakthroughs for patients—one collaboration at a time. Learn more at www.wuxiapptec.com.
STA Pharmaceutical Switzerland is part of WuXi AppTec. The site is located in Couvet, Canton Neuchatel, in Switzerland and manufactures oral drug products for global markets. STA Pharmaceutical - Couvet.
Role Overview
In this Associate Director Technical Operations role, you will use your strong OSD Drug Product technical skills to ensure the successful transfer of Drug Products to the Couvet site, Switzerland. This includes the on‑time‑in‑full supply of technical, registration, clinical, stability, and PPQ batches. The position reports to the Vice President, Head of Late‑Stage Formulation R&D and Commercialization, and Head of Business Development for China.
Responsibilities
* Accountable for the on‑time start of bulk manufacturing and packaging batches.
* Accountable for the on‑time delivery of registration, clinical and stability batches.
* Selection and evaluation of process technology, tooling and methods.
* Design, modification, assembly & setup of equipment.
* Development, determination and optimization of process parameters.
* Devise tests before and during production.
* Collect and analyse process data.
* Enable the execution and troubleshooting of production.
* Author technical working instructions (including batch records) of various manufacturing technologies to ensure the production operation is compliant with the GMP policy and satisfies the highest safety standard.
* Support deviations by leveraging technical expertise, manufacturing experience, and investigative skills.
* Provide technical training and seminars to personnel of other departments to promote the application of new manufacturing technologies and resolve misconceptions and miscommunication.
* Accountable for process validation (PPQ), including continued process verification.
* Accountable for cleaning validation, including routine spot checks, cleaning verification and the annual review.
Managing the Department
* Guide, mentor & develop your teams to achieve an environment of personal accountability and trust.
* Ensure proactive priority and daily activity management for team & activities (planning, communication, team organization, control, checking of the defined targets).
* Ensure department processes are sufficiently defined and documented. KPIs are implemented & monitored; actions are prioritized to keep KPIs on target.
* Ensure responsibilities are clear.
Qualifications
* Bachelor degree or above combined with 15+ years experience in a pharmaceutical execution and management position.
* 10+ years experience of OSD DP processes and management requirements.
* Solid working knowledge of global regulatory requirements (US, EU, etc.) & best practices including SUPAC.
* Excellent leadership skills, including coaching and motivating teams.
* Outstanding communication, stakeholder management.
* Ability and drive to thrive in a fast and dynamic work environment.
* Excellent organizational skills.
* Fluent English. French or Chinese a strong plus.
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