Associate Director / Director, Drug Product Lifecycle Management

Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.

Position Summary

The Associate Director / Director of Drug Product Lifecycle Management within Cell Therapy Technical Operations (CTTO) leads a high-performing technical team responsible for the strategy, execution, and implementation of all global lifecycle projects for designated cell therapy products. This role is pivotal in driving innovation, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance across multiple global manufacturing sites, with a direct impact on patient outcomes.

Reporting to senior leadership at Bristol Myers Squibb, the Director partners with matrixed technical teams and multifunctional stakeholders to shape the strategic technology roadmap for cell therapy manufacturing. The role sets standards and directives for manufacturing operations and provides specialized expertise to support site capabilities, investigations, and process improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the global strategy for cell therapy manufacturing process changes, ensuring alignment with commercial and CMC objectives.
• Own the technical project portfolio for designated cell therapy products, managing schedules, budgets, and resources.
• Lead cross-functional matrix teams to deliver process transformation, improvement, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Drives alignment across CTTO, analytical, quality, regulatory, operations, development, supply chain, program strategy, third-party manufacturing, and manufacturing sites.
• Implements lifecycle management projects and harmonizes manufacturing processes across multiple sites.
• Lead Manufacturing Success Rate (MSR), Robustness, and Cost Reduction initiatives to ensure reliable drug product supply and continuous commercial process transformation.
• Oversee process validation, technology transfer, process qualification, and comparability strategies.
• Lead continuous improvement projects and change control management to enhance product quality, compliance, and supply reliability.
• Lead and oversee the technical package, including project and process risk assessments, governance presentations, and standalone actions to ensure effective project execution.
• Lead and oversee global change controls, CAPAs, proactive initiatives, and standalone actions to maintain compliance and drive improvement.
• Author and review technical content for regulatory submissions (e.g., PPQ, comparability assessments), annual product quality reviews, and technical reports.
• Manage and mentor a technical team, assigning projects and tasks based on strategic priorities.
• Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, integrity, and innovation.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in team composition and project execution.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Life Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Biochemical/Chemical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Advanced degree (M.S./Ph.D.) preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 14+ years of relevant experience in cell therapy, biologics, or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Proven leadership of technical teams and project in a matrixed environment.
• Expertise in cGMP operations, technology transfer, process validation, regulatory compliance, and change management.
• Deep knowledge of Cell Therapy Drug Product Manufacturing and sterile drug product operations.
• Strong understanding of CMC regulatory requirements, DS & DP manufacturing, and analytical testing.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.
• Familiarity with project management tools and Lean Six Sigma methodologies is a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.

Devens - MA - US: $214,250 - $259,622
Seattle - WA: $220,250 - $266,894
Summit West - NJ - US: $200,230 - $242,637


The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience. 

Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/.

Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect and may include the following: Medical, pharmacy, dental and vision care. Wellbeing support such as the BMS Living Life Better program and employee assistance programs (EAP). Financial well-being resources and a 401(K). Financial protection benefits such as short- and long-term disability, life insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection and survivor support. Work-life programs include paid national holidays and optional holidays, Global Shutdown Days between Christmas and New Year’s holiday, up to 120 hours of paid vacation, up to two (2) paid days to volunteer, sick time off, and summer hours flexibility. Parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military leave. Family care services such as adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, fertility/infertility benefits, support for traveling mothers, and child, elder and pet care resources. Other perks like tuition reimbursement and a recognition program.

Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in a supportive culture, promoting global participation in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

On-site Protocol

BMS has an occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:

Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

BMS cares about your well-being and the well-being of our staff, customers, patients, and communities. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that all employees be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and keep up to date with Covid-19 boosters.

BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

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