Vice President, Sterile & Biotechnology Technology

ROLE SUMMARY

Reporting to the SVP, Global Technology, Engineering & Launch, the Vice President, Sterile & Biotechnology Technology will provide global leadership for the scientific and technical capabilities supporting Pfizer’s sterile injectable manufacturing, biotechnology, vaccine and related manufacturing operations. The leader will define and deliver the SBT strategy across Pfizer’s internal Global Biomanufacturing (GBM) and External Supply contract manufacturing organization (CMO) networks, with particular focus on Science of Supply, manufacturing science and technology, technology transfer, process robustness, complex investigations, laboratory strategy, and next-generation digital and AI-enabled technical capabilities.

The Vice President will lead the organization’s contribution to the Science of Supply agenda, including second-generation yield improvement, or 2G yield, programs; process optimization; and the application of advanced modeling, analytics and artificial intelligence to improve process understanding, yield, reliability, capacity and supply performance.

The role will oversee the technical transfer, scale-up, validation and lifecycle support of products and processes across the internal GBM and External Supply CMO networks within the scope of sterile injectable manufacturing and biomanufacturing. The leader will ensure rapid, scientifically rigorous resolution of complex technical and supply issues across both networks and will shape the future MSAT laboratory strategy, including advanced in-silico modeling, predictive analytics and digitally enabled experimentation.

The successful candidate will be a member of the GTEL Leadership Team and a senior technical partner to manufacturing operations, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Quality, Regulatory, Global Supply Chain, Launch organizations and other enterprise stakeholders. The leader will contribute to GTEL and PGS strategy, portfolio choices, network decisions, technical investments and development of the next generation of scientific and technical leaders.

ROLES RESPONSIBILITIES

1.  Set the Sterile & Biotechnology Technology strategy. Define and execute a global technical strategy aligned with GTEL and PGS priorities, ensuring the organization has the scientific capabilities, technology platforms, laboratories, talent and partnerships required to support current operations and the future portfolio.

2.  Lead the Science of Supply agenda for Sterile & Biotechnology. Establish and govern a high-value technical portfolio that improves yield, throughput, process robustness, reliability and cost competitiveness. Provide particular leadership for 2G yield programs and deployment of scientific insights at scale across the internal GBM and External Supply CMO networks.

3.  Provide global leadership for manufacturing science and technology. Lead the scientific and technical organizations supporting biotechnology, vaccines, sterile injectables and associated manufacturing platforms. Ensure that product and process knowledge is translated into sustained manufacturing performance and reliable patient supply.

4.  Oversee technology transfers and commercialization. Ensure effective transfer, scale-up, validation and commercialization of products and processes across Pfizer’s internal GBM and External Supply CMO networks. Partner with Pharmaceutical Sciences, Launch, manufacturing sites, Quality, Regulatory and Global Supply Chain to establish technical readiness, manage risk and deliver successful launches and lifecycle changes.

5.  Direct the resolution of complex technical investigations. Mobilize scientific, engineering, analytical and statistical expertise to resolve significant product, process, quality and supply challenges. Ensure investigations are scientifically rigorous, timely and translated into sustainable corrective actions and broader organizational learning.

6.  Advance AI-enabled manufacturing science. Define and execute the SBT digital and AI strategy, accelerating the responsible use of advanced process modeling, predictive analytics, machine learning, in-silico experimentation and related capabilities. Deploy these capabilities to strengthen process understanding, accelerate problem-solving, improve technical decisions, and deliver measurable improvements in yield, reliability, capacity and supply performance.

7.  Shape the MSAT laboratory and Lab of the Future strategy. Establish the future scientific mission, network role and technology roadmap for SBT laboratories and technical centers, including electronic laboratory notebooks, connected laboratory platforms, digitally enabled experimentation, knowledge reuse and modern scientific workflows. Advance laboratory capabilities that increase experimental speed, insight and productivity.

8.  Lead technical strategy across the internal and external manufacturing networks. Serve as the senior SBT technical advisor for sterile injectable manufacturing and biomanufacturing across Pfizer’s internal GBM and External Supply CMO networks. Provide technical assessments and establish clear SBT positions supporting sourcing decisions, internal and external node choices, network changes, supply strategies, technical commitments associated with CMOs, major investments, product lifecycle choices and technical feasibility. Ensure fit-for-purpose deployment of SBT and center-of-excellence expertise to support both networks.

9.  Lead SBT technical due diligence for business development opportunities. Direct SBT technical due diligence for commercial and late-stage business development opportunities within SBT’s scope of sterile injectable manufacturing and biomanufacturing. Assess manufacturability, commercial process robustness and scalability, technology-transfer requirements, manufacturing and analytical readiness, internal and external network fit, CMO technical capability, supply robustness, capital, cost, resource and schedule implications, and material technical, quality and supply risks. Partner with Pharmaceutical Sciences, Quality, Regulatory, External Supply, Global Supply Chain, Business Development and other subject-matter experts to integrate SBT findings with broader CMC diligence, including development and regulatory assessments outside SBT’s accountability. Translate SBT findings into clear technical risks, assumptions, mitigation requirements and recommendations to inform opportunity evaluation, sourcing and network strategy, transaction decisions, and post-deal technology transfer and integration planning. Support relevant GTEL and PGS BD governance and, as appropriate, provide SBT input to the technical and operational provisions of transaction, collaboration and manufacturing agreements.

10. Ensure strong regulatory, quality and safety performance. Maintain technical organizations and laboratories in accordance with applicable quality, regulatory, compliance and environmental health and safety requirements. Partner with Quality and Regulatory colleagues on filings, agency interactions, inspection readiness and significant technical commitments.

11. Lead financial and resource stewardship. Establish operating plans, budgets, workforce strategies and investment priorities for the global organization. Allocate resources against the highest-value technical and supply priorities while maintaining required foundational support.

12. Build an outstanding global organization. Attract, develop and retain diverse scientific and technical talent. Strengthen succession, technical career paths and leadership capability while fostering a culture of ownership, inclusion, collaboration, disciplined experimentation and continuous learning.

13. Drive performance management and operational excellence. Establish the SBT operating rhythm, portfolio management, performance metrics and continuous improvement framework. Ensure resources are prioritized against the highest-value opportunities and risks while maintaining strong execution, accountability and delivery across the internal GBM and External Supply CMO networks.

14. Lead SBT governance and enterprise representation. Serve as an active member of the GTEL Leadership Team and represent SBT and GTEL in relevant PGS, GBM, portfolio, sourcing, product-change and network-governance forums. Establish clear SBT positions, decision rights and escalation pathways across launches, technology transfers, lifecycle programs, External Supply CMO support, complex investigations, 2G yield programs, capacity, capital investments and significant technical risks. Ensure decisions and commitments are supported by rigorous science, transparent portfolio priorities and effective follow-through.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical or biochemical engineering, biotechnology, biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, pharmacy or another relevant scientific or technical discipline.
• Extensive (15+ yrs) pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience, including significant leadership experience in manufacturing science and technology, process development, technical operations, commercial manufacturing support or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated leadership of large, global scientific or technical organizations operating across organizational, geographic and cultural boundaries.
• Broad technical knowledge relevant to biotechnology and sterile manufacturing, with deep expertise in one or more of the following: mammalian cell culture; microbial fermentation; protein purification; vaccine manufacturing; sterile injectable manufacturing; process development and scale-up; process validation; manufacturing science and technology; analytical sciences; or technology transfer.
• Demonstrated experience leading or overseeing internal and external technology transfers, including scale-up, validation, regulatory implementation and commercial manufacturing readiness.
• Demonstrated ability to lead resolution of complex technical, product, process, quality and supply issues using scientific problem-solving, risk analysis, statistical methods and sound technical judgment.
• Strong working knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices, pharmaceutical quality systems and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Experience contributing to regulatory filings, agency interactions, inspection readiness or technical responses to regulatory authorities.
• Proven ability to develop strategy, translate scientific opportunity into business value and deliver significant outcomes through a global matrix organization.
• Demonstrated success building leadership teams, developing technical talent, strengthening succession and creating a culture of accountability and ownership.
• Excellent written, verbal and executive communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific matters clearly and influence senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions in complex or ambiguous situations while appropriately balancing quality, patient, supply, financial and organizational considerations.
• Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree, PhD, PharmD, MBA or another relevant advanced degree.
• Experience leading an enterprise-level MSAT, technical operations, process development or manufacturing technology organization.
• Experience across more than one biotechnology, vaccine or sterile injectable manufacturing platform.
• Demonstrated application of advanced analytics, mechanistic modeling, in-silico experimentation, machine learning or artificial intelligence in a scientific or manufacturing environment.
• Experience establishing a global laboratory or technical-center strategy.
• Experience supporting high-priority product launches, major network changes, sourcing decisions or manufacturing transformations.
• Experience leading manufacturing-focused technical due diligence for commercial or late-stage business development opportunities, including assessment of manufacturability, process robustness and scalability, technology-transfer requirements, manufacturing readiness, network fit, CMO capability, capital requirements and technical risk.
• Established external scientific network and experience collaborating with academic institutions, technology providers, industry consortia or external manufacturing partners.

PHYSICAL / MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to perform complex scientific, technical, operational and financial analysis and make decisions involving multiple business, quality, regulatory and supply considerations.
• The role requires effective operation across a global matrix organization and engagement with colleagues at manufacturing sites, laboratories and corporate locations.
• The incumbent must be able to access laboratory and manufacturing areas and comply with applicable site safety, security, gowning and current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements.

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL or ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• This is a global leadership role requiring collaboration across multiple time zones.
• Periodic participation in meetings outside standard local working hours may be required.
• Domestic and international travel will be required to engage with manufacturing sites, laboratories, internal partners and external organizations.

 

Other job details

• Last Day to Apply: 11/18/2026
• Work location: Hybrid
• US PGS Sites and EMEA PGS Sites will be considered

 

 

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $274,000.00 to $456,600.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 30.0% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This role is posted in multiple locations. If you are applying for the role in an secondary job posting location where pay transparency regulations apply, your Talent Advisor will share the local pay information with you during the first interview.

 

 

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

 

 

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.

U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers.

 

 

Engineering