Associate Director, Assembly & Packaging

Associate Director, Assembly & Packaging

The Associate Director, Assembly & Packaging leads the teams responsible for assembly and packaging for several different products. This role provides day-to-day leadership, operational oversight, and guidance to ensure assembly and packaging occurs safely, compliantly, and in alignment with company targets. The Associate Director partners cross-functionally to drive cGMP compliance, operational excellence, staff development, and continuous improvement across assembly and packaging operations.

Location : This role is located in Durham, NC

Relocation assistance is not available for this position

Key Responsibilities :

• Lead and manage team responsible for product assembly and packaging.
• Provide guidance and oversight to meet safety standards, cGMP requirements, and site strategic objectives.
• Review and approve deviations, nonconformances, and CAPAs; partner closely with Quality to ensure effective, compliant resolution.
• Oversee timely completion and closure of batch-related documentation (batch records, SOPs) to support batch release and product disposition.
• Maintain a robust, role-based training program to deliver timely, efficient, and effective training for personnel; ensure training compliance and readiness.
• Participate in agency and internal audits, facility tours, and information requests; respond to observations per procedure and drive sustainable remediation.
• Develop, track, and present monthly metrics (e.g., schedule adherence, right-first-time, yield, deviations, training compliance) to monitor performance and drive accountability.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities (e.g., yield, cost, safety, compliance); leverage lean / operational excellence tools.
• Initiate and manage personnel actions, including recruiting, onboarding, performance management, training, promotions, and transfers; build a high-performing team.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, MSAT, HSE, and Planning to ensure seamless operations, tech transfers, and readiness for scale.
• Support budgeting, resource planning, and capacity modeling to meet production goals.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Key Performance Indicators :

Requirements :

Core Competencies :

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary :

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $132,300 and $245,700 / year; however, while salary ranges are effective from 1 / 1 / 25 through 12 / 31 / 25, fluctuations in the job market may necessitate adjustments to pay ranges during this period. Further, final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to geographical location, experience level, knowledge, skills and abilities. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and / or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department / team performance, and market factors.

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, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

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 to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to us.reasonableaccommodations@novartis.com or 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.