Associate Director, Manufacturing

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson’s disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer’s disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs.

At Acadia, we’re here to be their difference.

Responsible for oversight of commercial Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMO’s), and other third-party suppliers for products as identified, including the transfer of processes from R&D/Product development to commercial third-party suppliers. Responsible for oversight of ongoing manufacturing schedules to ensure both development and commercial supply levels are maintained, and inventory targets are met. Ensures that manufacturing activities meet the needs of all internal and external constituencies with an emphasis on process, quality, budget control and profitability.

• Develops and maintains good working relationships with contract manufacturers.
• Negotiate and manage CMO contracts
• Develops SOP’s and work processes needed for Commercial Manufacturing
• Works with CMOs to diagnose and correct process issues.
• Identifies, evaluates and selects CMOs for the manufacture of Commercial products
• Develops, collects appropriate metrics to measure CMO performance; leads CMO partnership teams.
• Works with Quality Group to determine the impact of process deviations and works towards resolutions
• Develops timelines, goals, and deliverables for API and related manufacturing processes.
• Optimizes the manufacturing process to maintain high product quality, improve process portability, increase process robustness, improve process efficiency, and reduce manufacturing costs.
• Assists in developing drug substance sourcing strategies.
• With Quality Assurance, ensures CMOs remain current and compliant with all GMP related requirements, guidelines and procedures.
• Tracks deviations and processes changes for the different suppliers and collaborate with Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance in assessing their impact on regulatory filings.
• Initiates and coordinates the preparation of CMC documentation as required
• Collaborates with Regulatory Affairs and other groups to support product filings.
• Assists in contract site preparation activities for regulatory inspections.
• Supports interdisciplinary working teams with recommendations, advice and action plans for manufacturing related issues.
• Provide onsite process coverage as person-in-plant as needed
• Communicates manufacturing or technology related issues and information to committees, teams and interested groups within the company.
• Supervise, train and mentor personnel as needed.

BS in Engineering/Chemistry or equivalent combination of relevant education and applicable job experience. Master's or Ph.D. preferred. A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience within the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry with 6 years in a leadership role.

• Contract service provider experience.
• Understanding is required of the biopharmaceutical drug development process including regulatory filings and quality inspections and audits.
• Extensive knowledge of regulations as they pertain to post-approval manufacturing process changes; site changes, etc.
• Frequent travel to global manufacturing sites in the EU and Asia is required for this role

Participate in strategic plans for designated function(s) and may participate with senior management to align objectives across the organization. Develops methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for projects, programs, and people. Works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth knowledge of functional area and related organizational objectives. Erroneous decisions will have a serious…