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Site MS&T Head, SMO
full-timeDurham$138k - $257k

Summary

Location

Durham

Salary

$138k - $257k

Type

full-time

Explore Jobs

About this role

Band

Level 5


 

Job Description Summary

#LI-Onsite

Location: Morrisville, NC

**The Site, Manufacturing, Science & Technology Head - Small Molecule is an Associate Director level role.

You will lead the Manufacturing Science and Technology (MS&T) organization, ensuring our products remain in a state of control through deep product knowledge, process understanding, and the application of technology. Your focus will be on driving continuous improvement while reducing process variability and waste. You will drive end‑to‑end product and process stewardship across the lifecycle, strengthening validation activities, launches, and technical transfers, and ensuring inspection-readiness through standardization, sustainability, innovation, and technology—ultimately enabling patient safety and reliable supply. By partnering across functions and the global MS&T network, you will accelerate the adoption of best practices, advance Quality by Design, Design of Experiments, and Process Analytical Technology, and build the capabilities needed to shape the future of operations.

If you’re energized by leading experts, influencing strategy, and making a direct impact on how patients receive high‑quality therapies, this role offers a powerful platform.


 

Job Description

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Define MS&T vision, technical standards, and strategic priorities that strengthen site performance and scientific capability. 
  • Act as primary liaison with site leadership and global platform heads to align objectives and resolve technical issues. 
  • Build department technical expertise by overseeing career paths, succession plans, training programs, and cross‑functional knowledge management. 
  • Ensure inspection readiness and drive rapid reapplication of global best practices, standard processes, and compliance improvements. 
  • Lead end‑to‑end product and process stewardship to maintain robust, well‑controlled manufacturing throughout the lifecycle. 
  • Oversee technical change control and serve as site interface for regulatory interactions and submission content. 
  • Own the Validation Master Plan and ensure execution, monitoring, and continuous verification of validated processes. 
  • Direct technical transfers, launches, and scale‑ups, ensuring strong project leadership and seamless execution. 
  • Advance manufacturing excellence by applying Quality by Design, Design of Experiments, and Process Analytical Technology. 
  • Guide Technology Life Cycle Management, new technology adoption, and ensure technical inputs shape capital project decisions. 

Essential Requirements: 

  • Bachelor’s Degree Required. Master’s degree in Science, Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Technology, or equivalent scientific discipline preferred. 
  • Minimum 10 years of work experience within the pharmaceutical industry Extensive experience in manufacturing operations, including product, process, or technology oversight. 
  • Demonstrated ability to drive quality, compliance, and continuous improvement in a regulated environment. 
  • Strong understanding of applied statistics, quality systems, and regulatory requirements across multiple health authorities. 
  • Proven capability in process development, technical problem‑solving, and lifecycle stewardship of commercial products. 
  • Working knowledge of pharmaceutical analytical testing and its application to process and product understanding. 
  • Experience leading technical teams, developing talent, and building organizational capabilities. 
  • Strong ability to collaborate across functions and influence decision‑making at multiple organizational levels. 

Desirable Requirements: 

  • Diverse pharmaceutical experience needed.  Specifically, Small Molecule DS (API/Drug Substance/Oligonucleotide) / Small Molecule DP/FP (Drug Product/Finished Product) is highly preferred.   

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary: The salary for this position is expected to range between $138,600 and $257,400 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors. Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards. US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves. 

 


 

EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.


 

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] call +1 (877)395-2339 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

https://www.novartis.com/careers/careers-research/notice-all-applicants-us-job-openings



 

Salary Range

$138,600.00 - $257,400.00


 

Skills Desired

Applied Statistics, Data Analytics and Digital, GDP Knowledge, gmp knowledge, HSE Knowledge, Leadership, Manufacturing Process, Manufacturing Production, Manufacturing Technologies, Operational Excellence, Process and Cleaning Validation, Process Control, Quality Compliance, Regulatory Compliance, Resilience and Risk Management, Resource Planning and Forecasting, Technical Leadership, Technology Transfer

Other facts

Tech stack
Product Knowledge,Process Understanding,Continuous Improvement,Process Variability Reduction,Waste Reduction,Product Stewardship,Validation Activities,Technical Transfers,Inspection Readiness,Standardization,Innovation,Technology Adoption,Quality by Design,Design of Experiments,Process Analytical Technology,Talent Development

About Novartis

Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, working to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide.

Find out more at https://www.novartis.com

See our community guidelines: https://go.novartis.social/3Nboxki

Team size: 10,001+ employees
LinkedIn: Visit
Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

What you'll do

  • The role involves leading the Manufacturing Science and Technology (MS&T) organization to maintain product control through deep product knowledge and process understanding, focusing on continuous improvement and waste reduction. Key duties include defining MS&T vision, acting as liaison with site leadership, building department technical expertise, and ensuring inspection readiness.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Novartis pay for a Site MS&T Head, SMO?

Novartis offers a competitive compensation package for the Site MS&T Head, SMO role. The salary range is USD 139k - 257k per year. Apply through Clera to learn more about the full compensation details.

What does a Site MS&T Head, SMO do at Novartis?

As a Site MS&T Head, SMO at Novartis, you will: the role involves leading the Manufacturing Science and Technology (MS&T) organization to maintain product control through deep product knowledge and process understanding, focusing on continuous improvement and waste reduction. Key duties include defining MS&T vision, acting as liaison with site leadership, building department technical expertise, and ensuring inspection readiness..

Why join Novartis as a Site MS&T Head, SMO?

Novartis is a leading Pharmaceutical Manufacturing company. The Site MS&T Head, SMO role offers competitive compensation.

Is the Site MS&T Head, SMO position at Novartis remote?

The Site MS&T Head, SMO position at Novartis is based in Durham, England, United Kingdom. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.

How do I apply for the Site MS&T Head, SMO position at Novartis?

You can apply for the Site MS&T Head, SMO position at Novartis directly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process. You can also learn more about Novartis on their website.