Director Process Chemistry UK

Pfizer is hiring two Directors for Process Chemistry in Sandwich, UK, to lead Chemical Research and Development labs. Responsibilities include managing a team, overseeing process design, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards, and driving innovation. The role requires expertise in process chemistry and effective resource allocation while collaborating with manufacturing and external partners to deliver high-quality Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.
Role Summary

We are seeking two new Director positions to lead UK Process Chemistry Laboratories within Chemical Research and Development (CRD). The successful candidates will partner together to lead portfolio and operational deliverables.

CRD, as part of Pharmaceutical Sciences Small Molecule within Worldwide Research and Development and Medical, is responsible for the development of process technology for the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API). CRD managers engage in all facets of development from small scale synthesis in support of medicinal chemistry programs, to the development of the commercial synthetic route and transfer into commercial supply. CRD managers partner with manufacturing specialists for API synthesis in kilo-lab and pilot plant facilities, as well as provide oversight for technology transfer to Pfizer manufacturing sites and third-party facilities.

The successful candidates will lead a team of scientists and ensure clear accountability and collaboration for oversight of laboratory activities focused on route and process design, including the core process chemistry laboratory function, high throughput screening, hydrogenation labs and process safety. They will ensure effective process understanding and transfer of commercial processes to our Pfizer Global Supply partners, acting as accountable managers for our portfolio deliverables. They will ensure effective resource allocation, portfolio prioritization, development strategy, regulatory documentation, safety and compliance in the delivery of robust and high-quality processes based on batch, continuous and hybrid development. They will ensure effective tracking of key metrics to demonstrate business value. They will bring strong knowledge and expertise in quality by design and control strategy, including a strong and contemporary working knowledge of ICH guidelines. They will ensure a culture of innovation, supporting external scientific alliances and Pfizer technology initiatives to ensure workflows are continuously improved. They will be proven leaders of staff, ensuring effective performance management, staff engagement, talent management and support of diversity, equity and inclusion goals within the department. They will be active members of the Sandwich CRD management team to partner with engineering, global external supply and API manufacturing peers to ensure smooth operational running of the department. They will be accountable for meeting annual budgetary targets.

Role responsibilities

Critical Thinking
• Sets goals, objectives and priorities for the delivery of our portfolio, ensuring effective route design and process design to support clinical development, regulatory submission and new product launch. Acts as an accountable manager for program progression.
• Provides technical and functional expertise within CRD, ensuring sound process chemistry and Green Chemistry principles are applied to the portfolio, including alignment with ICH guidelines.
• Leverages technical and functional expertise from PSSM, Medicinal Design and PGS to ensure effective development of commercial routes and processes.
• Considered a subject matter expert in process chemistry.
• Takes appropriate business risks to achieve desired results, ensuring safety and project delivery at all stages of development. Guides direct reports on acceptable levels of risk-taking​.
• Develops solutions to optimize speed, cost and quality, integrating CRD technology advances such as computational chemistry, automation, continuous processing, biocatalysis, chemical synthesis innovation and high throughput screening.
• Ensures effective technical transfer of processes to Pfizer Global Supply, including accountability for regulatory submissions, knowledge management, adherence to regulatory guidance and support of regulatory queries.
• Generate realistic and balanced forecasts for near, mid and long-term resource needs

Leadership
• Collaborates across Pharm Sci Small Molecule, Medicinal Design and Pfizer Global Supply (PGS) to deliver a cohesive strategy for portfolio delivery.
• Manages and leads a team of chemists, ensuring strong integration in to analytical and chemistry functions. Will grow the team through workforce planning while ensuring budgetary targets are met.
• Manager of a group of process chemists with direct accountability for setting direction, deploying resources, and leading compensation, performance, goal setting, and development discussions for the process chemistry group.
• Leads matrix teams across PSSM, Medicinal Design and PGS and will an accountable manager for portfolio products, in order to ensure portfolio delivery and execution.
• Uses knowledge of industry, customer requirements and general business environment to adapt and implement strategic actions for the effective delivery of the portfolio, ensuring strong connectivity to the Portfolio Delivery Team.
• Develops and exhibits a high level of business knowledge and understanding of PGS to meet customer requirements for development and manufacturing of small molecule API.
• Champions innovation to drive speed, cost and quality, optimized for specific product requirements.
• Assesses CRD talent needs and identifies talent within the organization to ensure bench strength for critical roles within the process chemistry group.

Communication
• Actively shares knowledge across PSSM, Medicinal Design and PGS to ensure effective design and execution. Actively shares pre-competitive knowledge with key peer pharma partners in order to develop industry best practices.
• Contributes to the development of organizational knowledge management processes/systems​ to ensure global learning across our ecosystem.
• Ensures decisions are supported by the global process chemistry community.
• Contributes to the evolution of workflow and best practice with strong collaboration across Co-development and communication of risks and mitigation strategies with the Portfolio Delivery Team.
• Contributes to an open communication environment to ensure the knowledge and expertise of the team is leveraged.​

Required Education/Experience

BSc/MSc Chemist with significant relevant pharmaceutical process chemistry experience in small molecule API or PhD Chemist, including relevant pharmaceutical process chemistry experience in small molecule API.

Required Technical Skills

Recognized as a strong scientific leader within the process chemistry discipline. An expert in the pharmaceutical development process. Contemporary awareness of scientific developments and opportunities in chemistry and chemical engineering. A highly credible technical functional expert with experience of supervising others. Able to leverage technical and functional expertise across own and related disciplines. Innovative and creative approach to problem solving (both business & scientific), with ability to impact and influence within the global line and outside of the department. Ability to lead in a fast changing environment & communicate positive advantages of change. Rapid adopter of new technologies/methods of work to enhance business productivity. API process commercialization, Technology Transfer and Regulatory Dossier preparation experience. Experience of leading cross-discipline matrix teams.

Preferred Technical Skills

Expertise in continuous development and manufacturing, computational chemistry, biocatalysis and high throughput screening.

Purpose

Breakthroughs that change patients' lives... At Pfizer we are a patient centric company, guided by our four values: courage, joy, equity and excellence. Our breakthrough culture lends itself to our dedication to transforming millions of lives.

Digital Transformation Strategy

One bold way we are achieving our purpose is through our company wide digital transformation strategy. We are leading the way in adopting new data, modelling and automated solutions to further digitize and accelerate drug discovery and development with the aim of enhancing health outcomes and the patient experience.

Flexibility

We aim to create a trusting, flexible workplace culture which encourages employees to achieve work life harmony, attracts talent and enables everyone to be their best working self. Let’s start the conversation!

Equal Employment Opportunity

We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is crucial to building a successful business. As an employer, Pfizer is committed to celebrating this, in all its forms – allowing for us to be as diverse as the patients and communities we serve. Together, we continue to build a culture that encourages, supports and empowers our employees.

Research and Development

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