Associate Director, CDMO Alliance Management

Position Summary: The Associate Director, CDMO Alliance Management, GEM will serve as Otsuka’s representative and business partner toward our network of Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs). This leader is responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of partner management—from initial selection and complex contract negotiations to long-term strategic relationship building. The Associate Director ensures that the external manufacturing network is high-performing, risk-resilient, and fully aligned with Otsuka’s strategic business objectives. Key Responsibilities: Contract and Partner Management: Serve as the central point of contact and business partner for CDMOs, ensuring alignment between partner actions and company goals. Lead the identification and selection process for new CDMO partners and participate in all contract negotiations, including centrally managing the repository of all active agreements. Contribute to the Governance and Business Review meetings with CDMO executive leadership to ensure long-term collaboration. Performance Monitoring and Improvement: Define, set, and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to hold CDMOs accountable for delivery and quality. Support comprehensive risk assessments focused on stable supply chains and quality assurance at partner sites. Facilitate discussions and drive the implementation of improvement measures based on KPI performance data and identified risks. Conduct business-side assessments during GMP audits led by the Quality Team to ensure commercial and operational viability. Internal and External Coordination: Support the internal decision-making process regarding new CDMO selections and major capital investments. Act as the lead for cross-departmental coordination when major incidents occur, ensuring rapid resolution while daily operations remain with functional teams. Collaborate with internal departments to identify supply risks stemming from regulatory shifts, demand volatility, or manufacturing deviations, and lead the execution of countermeasures at the CDMO level. Qualifications and Preferred Experience: Education: Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field (MBA or advanced degree preferred). Professional Experience: 8–12+ years of experience in alliance management, strategic sourcing, or external manufacturing within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry. Strategic Soft Skills: Proven ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders in a complex, matrixed organization. Operational Excellence: Strong background in risk management, business continuity planning, and performance analytics (KPIs). Communication: Exceptional negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive partner relationships and internal executive reporting. Proven ability to work with international colleagues. Knowledge of CDMO landscape and manufacturing processes across one or multiple modalities (e.g., small molecule, biologics, sterile fill-finish, etc.). Thorough knowledge of GMPs (CFR title 21, parts 210-211 and Part 600), along with EU, MHRA and other global health authority regulations. Strong, proven supplier relationship management skills. Negotiation and contract management skills a plus Competencies Accountability for Results - Stay focused on key strategic objectives, be accountable for high standards of performance, and take an active role in leading change. Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving - Make decisions considering the long-term impact to customers, patients, employees, and the business. Patient & Customer Centricity - Maintain an ongoing focus on the needs of our customers and/or key stakeholders. Impactful Communication - Communicate with logic, clarity, and respect. Influence at all levels to achieve the best results for Otsuka. Respectful Collaboration - Seek and value others’ perspectives and strive for diverse partnerships to enhance work toward common goals. Empowered Development - Play an active role in professional development as a business imperative. Minimum $169,222.00 - Maximum $253,000.00, plus incentive opportunity: The range shown represents a typical pay range or starting pay for individuals who are hired in the role to perform in the United States. Other elements may be used to determine actual pay such as the candidate’s job experience, specific skills, and comparison to internal incumbents currently in role. Typically, actual pay will be positioned within the established range, rather than at its minimum or maximum. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with states and local laws. Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 5 business days. Company benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, company provided basic life, accidental death & dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, student loan assistance, a generous 401(k) match, flexible time off, paid holidays, and paid leave programs as well as other company provided benefits. Come discover more about Otsuka and our benefit offerings; Disclaimer: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. Otsuka reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. Otsuka is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will be given consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, national origin, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation, if you are unable or limited in your ability to apply to this job opening as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Accommodation Request. Statement Regarding Job Recruiting Fraud Scams At Otsuka we take security and protection of your personal information very seriously. Please be aware individuals may approach you and falsely present themselves as our employees or representatives. They may use this false pretense to try to gain access to your personal information or acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities purportedly on our behalf. Please understand, Otsuka will never ask for financial information of any kind or for payment of money during the job application process. We do not require any financial, credit card or bank account information and/or any payment of any kind to be considered for employment. We will also not offer you money to buy equipment, software, or for any other purpose during the job application process. If you are being asked to pay or offered money for equipment fees or some other application processing fee, even if claimed you will be reimbursed, this is not Otsuka. These claims are fraudulent and you are strongly advised to exercise caution when you receive such an offer of employment. Otsuka will also never ask you to download a third-party application in order to communicate about a legitimate job opportunity. Scammers may also send offers or claims from a fake email address or from Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, etc, and not from an official Otsuka email address. Please take extra caution while examining such an email address, as the scammers may misspell an official Otsuka email address and use a slightly modified version duplicating letters. To ensure that you are communicating about a legitimate job opportunity at Otsuka, please only deal directly with Otsuka through its official Otsuka Career website Otsuka will not be held liable or responsible for any claims, losses, damages or expenses resulting from job recruiting scams. If you suspect a position is fraudulent, please contact Otsuka’s call center at: View phone number on click.appcast.io. If you believe you are the victim of fraud resulting from a job recruiting scam, please contact the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at: or your local authorities. Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., and Otsuka Precision Health, Inc. (“Otsuka”) does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any Otsuka employee directly or through Otsuka’s application portal without a valid written search agreement in place for the position will be considered Otsuka’s sole property. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired by Otsuka as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a global healthcare company with the corporate philosophy: “Otsuka–people creating new products for better health worldwide.” In the U.S., Otsuka is comprised of two companies, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., that share a deep commitment to the development and commercialization of innovative products in the spaces of neuroscience, nephrology, and digital medicine. Driven by our purpose to defy limitation, so that others can too, we have an unwavering belief in doing more and transcending expectations. In going above and beyond—under any circumstances—for patients, families, providers, and for each other. It’s this deep-rooted dedication that drives us to uncover answers to complex, underserved medical needs, so that patients can push past the limitations of their disease and achieve more than they thought was possible each and every day. OPDC and OAPI are indirect subsidiaries of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The Otsuka group of companies employed 34,400 people worldwide and had consolidated sales of approximately USD 14.2 billion in 2023. We invite you to explore our open positions for an opportunity to join our 2,200 colleagues in the U.S. whose passion for our mission and pride in our company have earned us certification as a Great Place to Work by the Great Place to Work Institute.