Associate Director Operations Technology

Career Category

Job Description

Amgen is the world’s leader biopharmaceutical company with a versatile portfolio of products. Our science-based approach has led to the discovery of novel therapies in the areas of cardiovascular disease, oncology, bone health, neuroscience, nephrology and inflammation. Our patient-centred culture fuels our commitment to delight their experience with innovative medicine delivery systems. At Amgen, new ideas are not just welcomed but celebrated. You will be joining a team of over 20,000 inspirational colleagues eager to have a positive impact with one mission: to serve every patient every time.

Are you looking for a meaningful new opportunity to test and grow your leadership skills? We are looking for a creative, highly motivated and strategic Technology professional to lead our Client Facing Operations Technology team at our manufacturing facility in Dun Laoghaire in Ireland. This role is responsible for incorporating the latest digital and artificial intelligence (AI) advancements in alignment with Industry 4.0/ Smart Manufacturing principles to meet business needs at a time of transformational growth.

Within the European (EU) Region, the Amgen Dun Laoghaire (ADL) site is entering a new phase of significant change and growth. The site has multiple ongoing investments in new capabilities such as multiple new syringe and inspection lines, tech transfers and the new facilities that support Amgen’s Growth strategy.

Amgen is seeking a Client Facing Associate Director for Operations Technology for the manufacturing facilities in Dun Laoghaire in Ireland. This role will have single point of responsibility for operations support and life cycle management of all information and technology capabilities at the site including manufacturing, engineering, quality, lab operations, process development and supply chain information systems and digital and AI tools. This role will have direct reporting responsibility for a multidisciplinary team at site providing client-facing support and advancing technology capabilities at the site.

Operations Technology is an integral part of Global Operations and is accountable for the integrity, security, reliability and innovation of information technology systems that enable the successful development, design, manufacturing, distribution and commercialisation of Amgen products. Ops Technology leverages innovation and the power of computer science to advance Operation’s strategy in the service of the maxim ‘every patient, every time’.

The role will lead a cross-functional team to develop and execute on the Digital Manufacturing Innovation (DMI) strategy and architecture in support of Site operations. In alignment with his/her Business Partners, the incumbent will drive process digitisation and adoption of digital and AI solutions.

This position will also be responsible for providing and advancing IT/OT platform-specific implementation practices and standards on systems architecture, software libraries, and system lifecycle management in alignment with Operations Technology Digital strategy and Industry 4.0 technology principles at the Site.

This position will report to the Director, Head of Technology in Ireland.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serve as the leader of the client-facing operations technology department, a multi-discipline group that plans, advances and supports computer application solutions for the operations function at the site.
• Integrate Site's quality and compliance management practices with the enterprise-wide computing system.
• Collaborate in the development and implementation of strategies for coordination of site installations of Amgen's corporate managed computing systems.  Create collaborative relationships with corporate and remote site Technology groups to harmonise practices and support.
• Responsible for hiring, mentoring, developing, leading, and deploying talented technology professionals who will work closely with personnel to create innovative and effective information solutions for the Site functional areas.
• Serve as a resource to other functional areas in the appropriate and innovative use and management of information technology.
• Support the development and implementation of an overall information systems strategic plan for the Site, leveraging on the corporate strategy for the Operations function.
• Work with groups such as production management, Quality Assurance management, Executive management and various support organizations to identify critical business issues and then develop an operations technology system plan to prioritise and resolve these issues.
• Promote the development of forums across departments for training on system utilisation and information exchange.                      
• Collaborate with the various Technology organisations in Amgen which are critical to the effective use of technology.
• Foster a culture of agile innovation by directly overseeing the execution of proof of concepts, pilots, and projects based on leading edge technology to help Ops Technology and Operations be best in class.
• Nurture partnerships with leading big data and analytics companies to identify, assess, and recommend technology solutions in this space.
• Refine the technology strategy and roadmap for the Site in alignment with the key Operations drivers of reliability, efficiency, agility and differentiation.
• Monitor external technology changes and be a source of continuous innovation, facilitating speed to and in market and competitive advantage. Leverage technology to drive innovation in the business.
• Work to ensure smooth adoption of technologies and delivery of efficiencies.
• Effectively communicate the company’s technology strategy to the operating team at the site.
• An innovator that is comfortable in pursuing the latest technologies and assessing capabilities of existing and emerging technologies for their application to the Site Operations environment (advanced data analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, Internet of things (IoT), modelling and simulation, Virtual and Augmented reality, advanced visions system, digital twins etc.) in coordination with corporate counterparts.
• A relentless focus on talent development of the next generation of biopharma technology professionals.
• Understands current best practices and emerging technologies in software applications (mobile, SaaS) security, validated/ cGMP compliant systems, infrastructure, cloud, data, advanced analytics, simulation & modelling, machine learning and artificial intelligence .

Basic Qualifications:

• Doctorate degree and 6 years of Information System and/or manufacturing technology experience OR 
• Master’s degree and 10 years of Information System and/or manufacturing technology experience OR
• Bachelor's degree and 12 years of Information System and/or manufacturing technology experience AND
• 6 years of managerial experience directly managing people and/or leadership experience leading teams, projects, programs or directing the allocation of resources

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of Information System and/or manufacturing technology experience
• Expertise in Automation, Data Integrity, Network Security Systems (implementation, network solutions, regulatory trends) and experience dealing with regulatory agencies
• Computer Science, Manufacturing Automation or Information System educational background
• Biopharma and/or Pharmaceutical experience
• Technical depth across Information and Operations Technology (IT/OT)
• Functional skill set and experience, with a demonstrated capability to lead teams that are accountable for administrative process automation, manufacturing execution, building management, laboratory instruments, lab information management, quality management, maintenance management, regulated document management, enterprise resource planning, product lifecycle management, data collection, aggregation, analytics, visualizations and intelligent algorithm development to monitor, control and predict outcomes
• Ability to translate Operations’ aspirations for leveraging data and advanced analytics into the reality of detailed actions in the laboratory, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, engineering, and Technology organisations
• Experienced in the delivery of projects using Agile/Scrum Methodology and Ability to translate business requirements into Product Backlog for delivery
• Direct working experience with enterprise systems (e.g., Oracle, SAP, PAS|X, PLM, Veeva, SalesForce)         
• Knowledge of system solutions in the following functional areas in a pharmaceutical or biotech organization: logistics, transportation, warehousing, inventory control, procurement and purchasing, accounts payable/accounting, process automation and manufacturing execution systems
• Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industries related to the design and utilisation of business and computer systems 
• Experience at resolving issues, designing strategies and implementing solutions as they pertain to global, multi system environments              
• Knowledge of current state of the art solutions for Internet commerce and web browser transaction processing within an organization 
• Experience with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and wireless communication technologies                                      
• Experience at developing system migration and evolution strategies and turning the strategies into plans which are implemented
• Demonstration of effective coordination of business process and system issues across multiple departments and multiple functions
• Experience in mentoring, motivating, leading and managing information systems groups of business system analysts and other information technology professionals, responsible for support of multiple systems, applications and functional areas
• Adaptability, teamwork and decisiveness in rapidly changing/growing business environments

At Amgen, our mission is serving patients. Our staff are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of science to transform medicine and turn the tide on serious illnesses. Central to achieving this mission is our “people-first” philosophy. We recruit the best talent, build an environment that facilitates career growth, and provide staff with the opportunity to make significant contributions for patients and our business.

Our culture is what makes Amgen a special place to work. We have a powerful shared purpose around our mission – to serve patients. We respect one another, recognize contributions, and have embedded collaboration, trust, empowerment and inclusion in all that we do.

We understand that to successfully sustain and grow as a global enterprise and deliver for patients — we must ensure a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.