Senior Director, Chemical R&D

ROLE SUMMARY

The head of Chemical R&D Engineering, Process Safety and Crystallization leads specialized functions that are crucial in API development and provides the necessary knowledge to translate a chemical process from the laboratory to a manufacturing plant.  This is a global role with organizations in the US and UK supporting assets in all phases of development, API clinical supply chain continuity, in partnership with Pfizer Global Supply and other PSSM lines through Co-Development.

In this position, talent development for the next generation of scientific leaders and managers and the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the organization is paramount.

The head of Chemical R&D Engineering, Process Safety and Crystallization will also be a member of the CRD Leadership Team.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manages and leads a team of chemical engineers/chemists within the process engineering, process safety, and crystallization groups in the US and UK. 
• Establishes the vision and long-term direction of the discipline in partnership with line managers.
• Ensures the development and deployment of models to guide experimental design and predict process performance at scale.
• Influences the CRD Technology Strategy and external alliances that will enable CRD towards its 2030 vision, ensuring a strong external network.
• Partners with other lines in PSSM and with PGS and maximizes the efficiency of CRD through effective portfolio management and resource deployment.
• Accountable for the talent acquisition, retention, and development of colleagues within the function.
• Fosters a culture of continuous improvement within the function both in terms of technology development and workflows.

  Leadership

• Provides leadership to an organization of ~50 colleagues and accelerates the development of leaders in the organization supporting our DEI objectives.
• Manages and leads a team of chemical engineers, chemists, crystallization scientists, and process safety scientists within the process engineering group.  Will grow the team through recruitment while ensuring budgetary targets are met for expense and capital.
• Has direct accountability for setting group direction, deploying resources, and leading pay, performance, goal setting, and development discussions for the group.
• Considered a subject matter expert in chemical engineering and how chemical engineering principles can de-risk scaleup.
• Ensures successful application of Process Safety workflows to support laboratory through manufacturing scale-up.
• Utilizes awareness of development portfolio priorities to ensure appropriate resources are available.  Generates realistic and balanced forecasts for near, mid, and long-term resource needs.
• Ensures the scientific & personal development of all colleagues within reporting line which includes providing opportunities to identify new technologies for discipline.
• Conducts all Performance Management activities for direct reports. Provides a critical evaluation of potential candidates for proper fit for open positions.
• Accountable for the implementation of modeling principles and techniques within the group to ensure the delivery of Digital Design goals within Global CRD.
• Ensures that all activities are conducted in accordance with all quality, safety, and housekeeping policies.  Strong advocate for safety and visibly supports all department and site safety policies.

Strategic Thinking

• Proactively seeks to develop best working practices and application of technology, by establishing networks and interfaces across sites, within Pfizer, and the pharmaceutical industry and academia.

• Uses knowledge of industry, customer requirements, and general business environment to adapt and implement strategic actions for the effective management of the team.

• Creates an environment where Pfizer values of Courage, Excellence, Equity and Joy are embraced and modeled.

• Develops a strong job rotational program to ensure colleague growth and organizational resilience.

Communication

• Leverages a variety of communication tools and techniques to help colleagues understand how their work aligns with business priorities.

• Contributes to an open communication environment to ensure the knowledge and expertise of the Team are leveraged. ​

• Partners closely with Process Chemistry Leads to ensure adequate resources are deployed to support portfolio progression.

• Partners closely with internal manufacturing teams to obtain scaleup feedback and develop long-term manufacturing technology implementation plans.

• Partners and communicates with Material Sciences Leadership to sponsor joint initiatives and ensure alignment on technology development.

• Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.

  
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• BS/MS Chemical engineer with a minimum of 20 years relevant pharmaceutical process chemistry experience in small molecule API or PhD Chemist with a minimum of 15 years relevant pharmaceutical process chemistry experience in small molecule API. 
• Demonstrated experience in leading first/second line managers in a large organization.
• Strong matrix leadership of cross-divisional teams with the ability to deal with difficult situations.
• Courageous decision-making and ability to navigate a complex R&D and PGS Ecosystem with creative and entrepreneurial thinking.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous experience in leading external collaborations

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Will require frequent travel between US and UK, PGS sites and to external collaborators.

Requires a flexible schedule to accommodate partners in different time zones

Relocation support available

Work Location Assignment: On Premise

Deadline to Apply: February 3, 2023

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Pfizer requires all U.S. new hires to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment.  As required by applicable law, Pfizer will consider requests for Reasonable Accommodations.

Sunshine Act

Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations.  These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider’s name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure.  Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act.  Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government.  If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.

EEO & Employment Eligibility

Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status.  Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA.  Pfizer is an E-Verify employer.

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