Vice President

Location: Fremont, United States

Job category: Research

About the Department

Novo Nordisk, a global health care company, is committed to discovering and developing innovative medicines to help people living with diabetes lead longer, healthier lives. To support this, Novo Nordisk is conducting research on stem cell therapy. Stem cell research raises hopes for improved treatment of Type 1 Diabetes and for future treatments with cell transplantation therapy. This treatment could be offered to people with many different serious chronic diseases caused by the degeneration of specific cells, such as Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is manifested by the selective destruction of the insulin-producing cells in the body, which leads to a life-long dependence on insulin injections to control blood sugar levels. It is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. Cell therapy may offer a better treatment by replacing the lost cells with new insulin-producing cells derived from stem cells, thus avoiding daily multiple insulin injections as well as numerous blood glucose tests. This treatment may also offer better blood glucose control, which is crucial to avoid late-stage complications such as blindness and kidney failure. In this project, Novo Nordisk will generate new stem cell lines to be used in future cell therapies to treat Type 1 Diabetes, Parkinson's, and Chronic Heart Failure. Are you ready to make a difference?

The Position

This position will have complete oversight and responsibility for all Global Manufacturing activities in support of preclinical and clinical stage programs. This includes planning and securing commercial supply. The role oversees local manufacturing as well as external manufacturing at CDMOs and CMOs including external supply chains. The position is located in Fremont, CA. The Fremont site is part of the Novo Nordisk Cell Therapy R&D Transformational Research Unit (TRU) located in Malov, Denmark, Lexington, MA, and Fremont, CA. The Fremont site is focused on Cell Manufacturing (GMP and non-GMP) and Clinical Device R&D.

Relationships

The position reports to the Corporate Vice President (CVP) of Cell Therapy. It oversees Global Manufacturing in Cell Therapy, internally and externally. This includes Local Manufacturing, Site Fremont California as well as external manufacturing at CDMOs and CMOs. This role is responsible for bridging and aligning with commercial manufacturing. Important stakeholders/relationships include Cell Therapy Leadership Team, US R&D Boston Hub, Corporate Novo Nordisk areas such as Contracting, Sourcing, CMC Clinical Supplies, CMC Raw Material, Product Supply Manufacturing, and any other relevant stakeholders.

Essential Functions

• Leading the manufacturing organization, providing leadership aligned with NNWay and Cell Therapy ambitions resulting in a high performing organization.
• Contributes to the strategic leadership of the CTR&D TRU acting as a strong team player. Participate and take on responsibilities in Project Coordination Team (PCT), Strategic Portfolio and Organization Team (SPOT), Leadership Team (LT), and Cell Therapy Council (CTC) bodies.
• Contribute to effective project governance and portfolio management carried by Strategy & Operations Office.
• Create synergy and knowledge sharing to support optimal strategic portfolio management.
• As a member of Cell Therapy R&D management, act as an ambassador, advocate, and representative for Cell Therapy R&D in interactions with internal Novo Nordisk as well as external stakeholders and collaborators.
• Drive the GMP manufacturing for bringing cell therapies from non-clinical testing to market, including creating the necessary tools for planning demand and supply.
• Drive and secure investments required to meet future needed capabilities and capacity needs at a global level.
• Ensure that all productions are managed effectively with respect to budgeting and resourcing.
• Global supply chain overview and coordination.
• Alignment with key partners in NN Product Supply and with other relevant functions to secure clinical and commercial supply.
• Strategic identification and securing of support by external manufacturing partners.
• Support the Cell Therapy R&D ambition to develop new business opportunities for Novo Nordisk by creating excellence in manufacturing processes with key internal and external stakeholders.

Physical Requirements

The position is based in Fremont, CA, US. Traveling to Novo Nordisk sites in/outside US, external vendors, and collaboration partners globally is part of the job, as a large part of the external collaborations in Cell Therapy R&D are carried out at different geographical locations. Collaboration with external partners, universities, and CRO/CDMOs contributing in global meetings and at Novo Nordisk is part of evaluating upcoming project activities, defining quality issues, and resource allocations.

Development of People

This is a supervisory position and will ensure that reporting personnel have individual development plans (IDP), with annual goals and measurements that are consistent with the priorities of the business, and that interim reviews are held so that their work is focused on those priorities, and they understand their level of accountability for results and the measurement process. Ensure that the IDP forms include completed learning and aspiration plans and are in place for all reporting personnel to enable the achievement of goals and capability to assume increased levels of responsibility. Manage the application and communication of all Novo Nordisk policies, procedures, and Novo Nordisk Way.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required. PhD preferred. Degree in Life Science or Engineering preferred.
• 15+ years of relevant experience from biopharmaceutical manufacturing required. Relevant experience includes:
  • Proven track record of creating business results.
  • Experience with operating and navigating regulatory requirements in a manufacturing setting.
  • Experience within development and manufacturing of Cell Therapy or related field preferred.
  • Solid understanding of drug development within the pharmaceutical industry.
  • International experience.
  • Experience of navigating within an environment of tight timelines, high-complexity, non-standard and diverse tasks in known and new therapy areas.
• 5+ years of senior-level line management experience leading other leaders required.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, diplomatic, and listening skills.

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve, and the communities we operate in. Together, we're life-changing.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.