Head, PDM External Manufacturing Finance

Head, PDM External Manufacturing Finance

Do you want to be part of an inclusive team that works to develop innovative therapies for patients? Every day, we are driven to develop and deliver innovative and effective new medicines to patients and physicians.  If you want to be part of this exciting work, you belong at Astellas!

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are committed to turning innovative science into medical solutions that bring value and hope to patients and their families. Keeping our focus on addressing unmet medical needs and conducting our business with ethics and integrity enables us to improve the health of people throughout the world. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.com.

This position is based in Northbrook, Illinois. Hybrid work from certain states may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines. Candidates interested in hybrid work are encouraged to apply.

Purpose:

This position provides strategic financial leadership and support to the External Manufacturing (ExM) organization, serving as the key finance business partner to enable reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality external supply across the global CDMO network. The role is responsible for ensuring excellence in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management, while driving transparency and value creation across all product modalities. Partnering closely with functions such as Technical Transfer, Quality, and Supply Chain, the Global External Manufacturing Finance Lead enables sound financial decision-making that supports ExM’s mission to leverage external capacity and capabilities for speed, flexibility, and benchmark cost performance.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Strategic Finance Leadership

·       Serve as the primary financial advisor and business partner to the Head of External Manufacturing and the ExM leadership team.

·       Translate strategic objectives for the CDMO network into actionable financial plans, metrics, and insights that drive business performance.

·       Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range strategic modelling for the global External Manufacturing organization responsible for approx. Oku JPY 2,200 annual spend.

·       Provide forward-looking financial analysis and scenario planning to support the development of external supplier strategic partnerships and network optimization.

·       Drive financial governance, discipline, and accountability across the global CDMO network to enable data-driven decision-making.

Finance Business Partner

·       Serve as the finance point of contact for all aspects of External Manufacturing, ensuring alignment between financial and operational priorities.

·       Support mid- and long-term financial planning and performance tracking in partnership with key functions including Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, and MS&T.

·       Visualize and optimize cost structures across the CDMO network, providing insights into cost drivers and opportunities for efficiency.

·       Ensure accuracy, transparency, and consistency of financial data to support informed decision-making by ExM leadership and senior management.

Financial Operations and Performance Management

·       Monitor key financial indicators including P&L, cash flow, and investment performance for the External Manufacturing network.

·       Identify, manage, and communicate financial risks and opportunities to support achievement of business and financial targets.

·       Develop and maintain financial KPIs to track CDMO performance, productivity, and cost competitiveness.

·       Lead cost optimization and continuous improvement initiatives in collaboration with cross-functional partners.

·       Evaluate and support financial aspects of CDMO contracts, including pricing, amendments, and ongoing supplier performance.

Decision Support

·       Provide financial leadership for investment evaluations related to new product introductions (NPIs), technology transfers, and site capability expansions.

·       Review and support CAPEX and OPEX approval processes, ensuring alignment with strategic and financial objectives.

·       Deliver financial input and modeling for CDMO contract negotiations, scenario analysis, and strategic sourcing decisions.

·       Support external supply issue resolution and crisis management with financial analysis and risk assessment.

Compliance and Governance

·       Ensure full financial compliance with internal controls, audit standards, and external regulatory requirements.

·       Maintain alignment of financial reporting, systems, and processes with global finance policies and standards.

·       Promote a culture of financial integrity, accountability, and transparency within the External Manufacturing organization.

·       Partner with internal audit and controlling teams to ensure readiness for internal and external audits.

People Leadership

·       Lead, coach, and develop a small team of finance professionals (approximately two direct reports), fostering a culture of collaboration, ownership, and business partnership.

·       Build team capability in financial analytics, business acumen, and operational understanding to support ExM’s strategic goals.

·       Drive continuous learning, talent development, and operational excellence within the finance function.

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related fields required. 
• Proven success as a strategic business partner to senior operational leaders.
• Strong business acumen and ability to translate operational drivers into financial impact.
• Expertise in financial planning, analysis, and performance management.
• Deep understanding of cost structures, COGS analysis, and network optimization.
• Strong communication and influencing skills across global, cross-functional teams with fluency in English language (read, write, speak)
• Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, fast-paced, and global environment.
• Ability to build cross-functional relationships and work openly & collaboratively 
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams.

Qualifications Preferred:

• MBA, CPA or Professional Finance Qualifications

• Experience supporting external manufacturing, contract manufacturing, or strategic supplier networks strongly preferred.

Working Environment:

• At Astellas we recognize the importance of work/life balance, and we are proud to offer a hybrid working solution allowing time to connect with colleagues at the office with the flexibility to also work from home. We believe this will optimize the most productive work environment for all employees to succeed and deliver. Hybrid work from certain locations may be permitted in accordance with Astellas’ Responsible Flexibility Guidelines.

 Salary Range: $197,400 -$310,200 (Final compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to skills, experience and organizational equity considerations).

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down
• 401(k) match and annual company contribution
• Company paid life insurance
• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
• Company-paid fleet vehicle for eligible positions
• Referral bonus program

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