Director Analytical Characterization (m/f/d)

Job Description Summary

The analytical characterization team located in Holzkirchen near Munich, is focusing on characterizing the target molecules, and driving analytical similarity assessments. The team is part of the global Biosimilar Technical Development organization of Sandoz, currently sized > 50 associates, and may further grow in relation to portfolio demand.

Job Description

Sandoz continues to go through an exciting and transformative period as a global leader and pioneering provider of sustainable Biosimilar and Generic medicines. As we continue down this new and ambitious path, unique opportunities will present themselves, both professionally and personally. Join us, the future is ours to shape!

Your Key Responsibilities:

Your responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Lead and actively manage the Analytical Characterization department within Biosimilar technical development of Sandoz t and drive a culture of exceptional performance and continuous improvement, enabling innovative, competitive, compliant, and consistent delivery on objectives of teams, projects, networks and/or platforms.
• Drive evolution of the team and improve current processes to match evolving landscape and requirements while actively leading that change.
• Provide scientific and managerial leadership to efficiently perform the analytical characterization of Biosimilar candidates
• Create and implement reliable yet cost efficient methods/processes and procedures - Ensure staying within budget and optimizing resource utilization 
• Ensure adherence to current regulations and data integrity in development.
• Address complex R&D issues and collaborate across technical development line functions. Evaluate and implement new related scientific technologies.
• Build and maintain a highly agile and efficient organization to flexibly react on changing priorities and
• Understand and meet individual program and customer needs and ensure team activities are aligned with overall biosimilar development processes.
• Drive the Analytical Characterization strategic plan and its implementation. Ensure current and future needs are fully met, adequately resourced, delivered on time and in full compliance.

What you’ll bring to the role:Essential Requirements:

• Extensive industry experience in the technical / analytical development of Biosimilars
• Ph.D. Relevant Technical Discipline w/ 10+ yrs. Experience in leading large teams in Analytical Development or adjacent R&D Teams in global technical development organizations
• Track record in leading change and process improvement initiatives
• Proven servant leadership skills leading teams through ambiguous times
• Distinguished R&D leader with exceptionally broad and in-depth knowledge in the area of Analytical Development /Characterization and adjunct disciplines
• Thorough knowledge of relevant regulations and regulatory guidelines and proven successful track record of BLA submission and regulatory health authority interactions
• Excellent communication/presentation skills. Advanced coaching and mentoring skills.
• Strategic thinking and ability to lead in a matrix organization
• English: fluent spoken & written
• Lean six sigma certification is a plus!

Compensation Structure & Criteria: 

Sandoz compensation is determined by job level, qualifications, niche skills, experience, and location within company salary ranges. Fully proficient and highly effective employees can expect a starting salary around market median, with those new to the level or with less functional depth at the lower end of the range and those with sustained superior or niche skills towards the higher end of the range. Internal equity and external market data inform our range placement. Annual salary reviews consider performance outcomes, market alignment, and business needs. 

• Job location: Holzkirchen, Germany
• Starting pay range: EUR 104,300 - 193,700 ​
• Variable compensation: 20% performance-based bonus, performance based long-term incentive plan.​
• Additional benefits include: 30 vacation days per year (in full time), 1.200€ vacation payment (in full time), €40/month in capital-forming benefits (in full time), company pension, flex-hybrid working 50% per week in the office, access to our learning & development platforms Skillsoft & Learnlight, Access to our employee share program “OurShare”
• Pay frequency: Monthly
• Expected weekly working hours: 40 hours
• Contract type: full time​

As part of your application, please submit your current CV as well as proof of your highest educational qualification (e.g., diploma, master’s degree, doctorate). Additional documents such as employment references may be uploaded optionally but are not mandatory.

Why Sandoz?

Generic and Biosimilar medicines are the backbone of the global medicines industry. Sandoz, a leader in this sector, provided more than 900 million patient treatments across 100+ countries in 2024 and while we are proud of this achievement, we have an ambition to do more!

With investments in new development capabilities, production sites, new acquisitions, and partnerships, we have the opportunity to shape the future of Sandoz and help more patients gain access to low-cost, high-quality medicines, sustainably.

Our momentum is powered by an open, collaborative culture driven by our talented and ambitious colleagues, who, in return for applying their skills experience an agile and collegiate environment with impactful, flexible-hybrid careers, where diversity is welcomed and where personal growth is supported! 

Join us!

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Hiring decisions are only based on the qualification for the position, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age and disability.

The law provides for severely disabled / equal applicants the opportunity to involve the local representative body for disabled employees (SBV) in the application process. If you would like to request this, please let us know in advance as a note on your CV.

#Sandoz

Skills Desired

Budget Management, Coaching Skills, Data Science, Experiments Design, Laboratory, Npi (New Product Introduction), People Management, Problem Solving Skills, Process Simulation, R&D, Waterfall Project Management