CMO Director, US

Protecting our tomorrow
Job Title: CMO Director, US
Location: Remote – East Coast Preferred (EST)
Department: External Manufacturing
Reports To: Head of External Manufacturing
Salary Range: $200k – $260k

About Bavarian Nordic
 
Bavarian Nordic is a global vaccine company focused on helping to protect lives through innovative vaccines, public health partnership, and expanded access to disease prevention.
We work across emerging infectious diseases, travel health, and public health preparedness to help communities, healthcare providers, pharmacies, and health systems improve vaccine awareness, access, and delivery.
With a growing commercial portfolio and strong global partnerships, Bavarian Nordic is evolving how vaccines are supported across healthcare ecosystems — combining scientific innovation with customer engagement, education, and public health impact.

Position Overview
 
The CMO Director is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing end-to-end operations with an assigned Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO). This individual acts as the primary interface between Bavarian Nordic and the external partner, ensuring reliable supply, operational excellence, and strong cross functional alignment across internal stakeholders, including Supply Chain, Quality, MSAT, Regulatory, Finance, and Procurement.

This role requires a strategic, highly organized, and influential leader capable of managing complex external relationships, navigating technical and quality challenges, and driving performance within an outsourced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities
 
External Manufacturing Partner Management
Serve as the primary point of contact for the assigned CMO, managing day‑to‑day communication, governance meetings, and performance oversight

Lead the execution of the external manufacturing strategy to ensure uninterrupted supply of commercial and/or clinical vaccine products

Oversee contractual deliverables, service level expectations, and adherence to master service agreements (MSAs), quality agreements, and supply agreements

Identify and resolve operational issues, escalating internally when needed to maintain supply continuity

Cross‑Functional Leadership
Coordinate with internal Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Technical Operations, and Regulatory teams to ensure alignment of production plans, quality requirements, investigations, and change controls

Drive scenario planning, risk mitigation, and issue resolution with internal SMEs to support CMO performance

Partner with Finance and Procurement to manage budgets, review CMO invoices, support cost modeling, and contribute to contract negotiations

Supply Planning & Operations Oversight
Ensure accurate forecast communication to CMOs and confirm capacity availability for commercial and development programs

Monitor production schedules, batch execution, deviations, and release timelines to ensure adherence to supply plans

Ensures production plans are executed in full and on time, with any risks proactively escalated

Support inventory management activities, including material planning, work‑in‑process tracking, and lot disposition coordination

Quality & Compliance Interface
Facilitate investigations, CAPAs, audits, and regulatory inspections involving the CMO.

Track operational and quality KPIs, ensuring performance meets internal expectations and industry standards

Support change control processes, ensuring cross‑functional impact assessments and timely implementation

Technical & Process Support
Partner with Technical Operations to manage technical transfers, process improvements, validation activities, and troubleshooting at the CMO

Ensure documentation, protocols, and reports generated by the CMO meet internal standards and regulatory requirements

Strategic Contribution
Assist in strengthening the current ways of working and business processes used to manage external operations

Contribute to long‑range external manufacturing strategy, including capability assessments, risk evaluation, and network optimization

Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance partnership effectiveness, reduce cost, and improve supply reliability

Qualifications

Required
Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field

7+ years of biopharmaceutical, vaccine, or biologics manufacturing experience, with at least 3+ years in external manufacturing, CMO management, or similar supplier‑facing roles

Strong knowledge of GMP manufacturing, quality systems, and supply chain processes

Demonstrated ability to lead in a matrixed environment and influence senior stakeholders

Excellent communication, problem‑solving, and relationship‑management skills

Experience managing complex projects and cross‑functional workflows

Preferred
Advanced degree (MBA or MS in a technical discipline)

Experience in vaccines, sterile manufacturing, or biological drug product operations

Familiarity with tech transfer, scale‑up, and process validation activities

Experience working with mid‑sized or fast‑growing biopharma organizations

Why Join Us
 
Join a mission-driven global vaccine company at a pivotal stage of growth and evolution. At Bavarian Nordic, you’ll have the opportunity to help shape innovative commercial programs, support public health initiatives, and contribute to how vaccines are accessed across healthcare channels.

We foster a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture where cross-functional partnership, creativity, and impact are valued alongside scientific excellence.

Bavarian Nordic is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

For more information, visit www.bavarian-nordic.com

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