Senior Director, Strategic Product Lead

Senior Director, Strategic Product Lead

Location: Dublin College Park or Athlone

About the role

The Strategic Product Lead (SPL) is a pivotal member of the Alexion Operations Product Management Team within Global Supply & Strategy. They oversee the integration between Operations, Product Development & Clinical Supply (PDCS), and global Commercial Functions in Global Marketing and Market Access (GMMA). The SPL represents Alexion Operations on the Global Program Team (GPT) and Global Medicine Team (GMT).

The Product Management organization develops and executes end-to-end product strategies to ensure timely and complete supplies to patients. As an SPL, you will be accountable for the commercial launch and lifecycle management of assigned products, owning and executing the entire product strategy. This includes managing the essential value-driving stages from commercial launch to establishment.

As a leader within Global Supply Chain & Strategy, the SPL embodies the "Voice of the Product", translating business drivers, external trends and insights into effective supply chain lifecycle plans, thereby ensuring patient access and maximizing product value.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional Product Teams, including members from Supply Chain, Quality, Technical Operations, Regulatory, Finance, Manufacturing, Product Development, and New Product Introduction. Act as the primary leader and escalation point for team members

• Create Product Strategic Insights to align with the Product Lifecycle strategy, translating key information, competitive landscapes, and commercial objectives into actionable goals

• Direct operations Product Strategy Plans, ensuring alignment with key stakeholders sitting at GPT and GMT. The Strategic Product Lead understands and articulates key drivers, interdependencies, and implications emerging from strategic decisions taken at Global S&OP meetings

• Lead product level discussions with Alexion executive leaders at the Global S&OP meetings to enable timely decision making to support product strategy pre and post commercial launch

• Develop and execute Product Supply Strategy, Life-Cycle Management Strategy, and Product Risk Management to support continuous improvement and innovation while ensuring continuous supply to markets. The AO Product Strategy is presented to the Operations Leadership Team (AOLT) to ensure alignment on key decisions required and agree on mitigation actions and next steps

• Manage product lifecycle aspects, ensuring robust supply, compliance, and alignment with AstraZeneca’s focus on sustainability. The SPL is responsible for identifying potential process improvements and operational excellence initiatives to enhance product performance. The SPL should drive understanding of the environmental Product footprint and support sustainability initiatives

• Represent Alexion Operations in strategic meetings including GPT, GMT, and CMC meetings from early development phases to post-launch in alignment with the operating model defined in the Alexion Product to Patient (AP2P) Handbook

• Ensure successful product launch readiness by establishing Global Operations Launch Teams (GOLT) and supporting new product launches

• Accountable for delivering the launch of new products & the launch of new product presentations according to the strategy agreed with Global Commercial Lead (in GMMA) and with GPT/GMT

• Drive discussions with the Global Commercial Lead (GMMA) on various packaging configurations for new products or presentations. Secure endorsements from the GPT and Commercial Heads, understanding financial implications and ensuring effective communication to markets via the Commercial Launch Readiness Lead at PROPEL Launch Meetings

• Lead discussions on SKU proliferation and safety stock strategy with products in the declining phase or transitioning to second-generation products, in collaboration with the Global Commercial Lead and GPT, to mitigate obsolescence risks

• Endorse and contribute to Late-Stage Network Business Cases for selecting manufacturing and backup sites across all supply chain nodes for commercial launch

• Provide basic product information and insights critical for delivering the Long-Term Plan (LTP), including product dosing, presentation, and SKUs. Develop launch plan timelines and assumptions, aligning CMC plans with best or base cases, and share insights on competitor landscapes based on Therapeutic Area (TA) review

• Represent Global Supply & Strategy in Notification to Management (NTM) meetings for major supply deviations or constraints. Lead communications to the GPT and Global Commercial Leads when product allocation becomes necessary

• Manage end-to-end strategic risk throughout the product lifecycle, maintaining robustness and resiliency by proactively addressing supply, product, and compliance risks

• Contribute to innovative business development deals and opportunities by acting as SPL on integration teams

• Inspire and lead others by communicating with vision and purpose; act as a change agent and promote flexible mindsets

• Continuously transform Product Management to focus on patient-centric strategies throughout the product lifecycle

Essential Skills & Education

• Extensive years in the pharmaceutical sector, overseeing Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain Operations, and/or CMC, with a preference for multiple areas of expertise

• Seven or more years of senior people management or senior matrix team leadership experience, with 10+ years preferred

• Knowledge of various manufacturing processes and platforms, and relevant GMP quality and regulatory dependencies

• Familiarity with the principles of device/product development, manufacturing, and supply chain

• Deep understanding of commercial pharmaceutical markets and process development

• Proven ability to bridge scientific, technical, and commercial functions for effective collaboration and results

• Strong business acumen and problem-solving skills within a supply chain context

• Demonstrated ability to manage high-complexity lifecycle projects (e.g., NPI, pruning, divestment, integration)

• Proven ability to build trustful and effective relationships

• Capability to effectively handle ambiguity and uncertainty

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to influence at all organizational levels

• Able to think strategically and translate strategies into actionable plans

• Solid understanding of Standard Manufacturing costs/Cost of Goods is desirable

Desirable Education

• BS/MS degree in life sciences, engineering, or business disciplines

• Minimum of 10 years of multi-disciplinary work experience in the Pharma/Biotech industry

• Advanced degree such as a PhD or MBA is considered an advantage

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

AstraZeneca offers an environment where innovation thrives! Our commitment to patients drives us to continuously push boundaries in research and development. Here you'll find a culture that celebrates diversity and encourages collaboration across teams. With tailored development programs designed to enhance your skills while fostering empathy for patient journeys, you'll be empowered to make a real impact. Join us as we redefine what's possible in healthcare!

Ready to take on this exciting challenge? Apply now to become part of our transformative journey!

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