External Operations Manager (Data and Digital)

Job responsibilities:

• Serves as the primary point of contact for system-related activities between EOM, SSIM, and external vendors.
• Coordinates EOM team efforts to enhance the IT landscape, identifying new use cases for automation and analytics. Applies data-driven decision-making to drive continuous process improvements in collaboration with SSIM, IGM, and vendors.
• Supports and coordinates system governance processes for IT platforms (e.g., SAP S4), working with GCS functions and vendors to ensure consistent system performance and fitness for use.
• Provides expert guidance to EOM and vendors on business processes and system design, supporting robust IT governance.
• Acts as super user, partnering with SSIM to resolve third-party user setups, troubleshoot system/application issues, and conduct root cause analysis to prevent recurrence.
• Monitors and optimizes system/application performance to support operational excellence and service continuity.
• Leads User Acceptance Testing (UAT) activities, including test case design, execution, and defect resolution to ensure successful project implementation.
• Delivers training and knowledge transfer to EOM team members and vendor partners to build system capability.
• Acts as a catalyst for innovation in data and digital areas, modelling Novartis values and behaviours.
• When assigned, manages financial activities, including RFPs, vendor selection, grants, POs, invoice approvals, and tracking of financial metrics.
• When assigned, manages vendor deviations, escalating major issues or bottlenecks to relevant internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Supports external audits and inspections, collaborating with TRD QA (and GCP QA where applicable) to address system-related topics.
• Monitors vendor performance using defined KPIs, collaborates with vendors to drive process improvements, and ensures timely action follow-up and closure.

Minimum Requirements:  

• >7 years of practical experience in chemical / pharmaceutical industry or > 3 years of experience in field of expertise
• Good knowledge about the Drug Development process
• Basic project management and risk management, good organization and planning skills, business analysis, high end analytics tools (SAP S4/HANA, Power BI, Qlik)
• Knowledge of relevant regulations (e.g. GMP, HSE etc.) and Novartis specific standards.
• Demonstrates problem-solving and idea generation skills.
• Good presentation skills.
• Fundamental Leadership skills.
• Very good communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.