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The Position

Who We Are

Pharma Global Technical Operations (PT) is the organization that manufactures and delivers Roche’s groundbreaking therapies to millions of patients worldwide. PT is involved in producing every Roche medicine from the development process through clinical trials and continuing to product maturity. Our organization coordinates all aspects of the production of Roche medicines in all disease areas and dosage forms.

Pharma Technical Development (PTD) is an integral part of this mission. As an organization of over 2,500 people globally, PTD is responsible for developing the manufacturing processes, products, analytical methods, and Chemistry, Manufacturing & Controls (CMC) strategies to deliver all new products in Roche’s pipeline. This work encompasses the full range of development functions, including biologics, synthetic molecules, devices, clinical supply chain management, and project and portfolio management. PTD applies leading technical expertise to design, develop, supply, and register clinical-stage products globally, reliably delivering the pipeline and supporting commercial manufacturing operations. We excel through innovation, collaboration, dedication, and mutual respect, continuously improving what we do to ensure Roche’s supply of quality products to patients.  We commit ourselves to scientific rigor, technical excellence, unassailable ethics, and access to medical innovations for all. We do this today to build a better tomorrow.

Position Purpose

As the Global Head of Pharma Technical Development Synthetic Molecules (PTDC), you are an enterprise leader responsible for the strategic direction, development, clinical manufacturing of Roche’s Synthetic Molecule portfolio. This is a triple-impact role: you lead the end-to-end technical development (CMC) for small molecules, oligonucleotides and peptides, while simultaneously serving as the PTD Basel Site Head.
You are also responsible for internal manufacturing of launch and commercial supply of drug substance for the synthetic molecules.

You are the primary accountable leader of the new Synthetic Molecule Facility (SMF), ensuring it is delivered on time and on budget to deliver Pharma Ambition. You act as a catalyst for "Collective Leadership" within PTD, bridging the gap between early-stage innovation and commercial launch excellence.

Key Responsibilities

1. Synthetic Molecule Portfolio & End-to-End Development

• E2E Accountability: Lead the vision and execution for synthetic molecule drug substance, from discovery support and clinical manufacturing to commercial launch and lifecycle management.

• Launch Excellence: Ensure "Right First Time" (RFT) delivery of CMC packages for NMEs (New Molecular Entity) and Line Extensions, directly contributing to Roche's overall goals and R&D Excellence goals.

• Technical Innovation: Drive next-generation synthetic capabilities, including digital automation, "Lab to Plant" models, and sustainable "Green Chemistry" processes.

2. Basel Site Leadership (PTD Site Head)

• Site Governance: Serve as the single point of accountability for all PTD site-related matters in Basel. This includes oversight of Quality, Safety, Sustainability, and Infrastructure. 

• Active Basel/Kaiseraugst Management Team member: Effectively representing and advancing PTD and Site interests at the Basel Kaiseraugst Management Meeting. 

• People & Culture: Foster a High Performing Organization (HPO). Lead employee training, engagement initiatives, and cultural transformation to make Basel a talent magnet for the global PT network. 

• Infrastructure Management: Oversee the operational health of all PTD Basel labs and pilot plants, ensuring they meet evolving portfolio needs.

• Owns Basel site IT/OT investments related to ASPIRE, Cybersecurity and Business Continuity, and is accountable for associated delivery.

3. Synthetic Molecule Facility (SMF) Project Owner

• Full Delivery Responsibility: You are responsible in full for the new Synthetic Molecule Facility. This includes meeting all milestones: on time, on budget, and fully compliant. This facility is the flagship facility that will accelerate technical development with modern digital capabilities.

• Operational Readiness: Ensure a seamless transition from construction to clinical/commercial production, ensuring the facility is integrated into the global Clinical Supply Center (CSC) and commercial Drug Substance network.

4. PT SHE Governance SPOC

• PT SHE Council: Serve as the Senior Point of Contact (SPOC) for the PT Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE) Council.

• PTD SHE Chair: Chair the PTD SHE Governance body. Drive the "Roche Strategy for SHE" across the four geographies (Penzberg, Kaiseraugst, Basel, South San Francisco (SSF)), prioritizing carbon footprint reduction and zero-accident culture through safety behaviors.

5. Community Leadership & Collective Leadership

• PT/D Community Influence: Partner across the PT and PTD network to simplify the landscape and remove silos.

• High Performing Organization: Being a role model in talent and leadership development across PT/D.

• Strategic SPOC: Act as the primary partner for R&D units and Late Stage Portfolio Committee (LSPC) members regarding synthetic molecule viability and technical risks.

• 100PY Productivity: Embed Lean/OE principles to achieve 100PY targets, ensuring the organization scales capacity without proportional cost increases.

Who You Are

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related Life Sciences field with equivalent relevant work experience in a global setting.

• Extensive years in the Pharmaceutical industry, with many years in senior executive leadership. Deep expertise in Synthetic Molecule CMC (Small Molecules/Oligos/peptides) and Parenteral operations are preferable.

• Seasoned leader, role modeling A "Visionary, Architect, Catalyst, Coach" (VACC) leadership. Proven ability to lead through others in a matrixed, global environment. Strong ability of motivating and inspiring others.

• Demonstrated track record of delivering large-scale capital projects (e.g., manufacturing facilities) on time and budget.

• Strong experience in managing complex sites, including SHE, Quality, and employee engagement responsibilities. Track record of excellent stakeholder management experience.

• Exceptional ability to influence and foster constructive relationships with Head of R&D units and Global Technical Operations leaders, outstanding communication skills across all levels.

Success Metrics

• CMC Delivery: Deliver our early and late stage Portfolio on time & RFT. 

• RFT Launch: No first-cycle approval delays due to synthetic drug substance CMC issues.

• Synthetic Molecule Facility (SMF) Delivery: Facility completion and validation according to the master schedule.

• Quality Assurance (QA) & SHE Performance: Meeting or exceeding PTD compliance, sustainability and safety targets.

• Employee Engagement: Verifiable people development & growth in Basel site and PTD engagement scores and retention.  

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.