Vendor Program Head

As a Vendor Program Head at Novartis, your primary focus will involve leading the strategic and operational management of vendor partnerships. You will oversee a team dedicated to ensuring the successful execution of vendor service strategies that align with clinical development timelines and operational requirements. Key responsibilities include directing vendor community activities, collaborating with strategic vendors for process innovation, and hosting summits to deepen collaboration within the development unit.

To qualify for the Vendor Program Head position at Novartis, candidates should possess over 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical clinical drug development, alongside global management expertise within a matrix organization. Essential qualifications include strong leadership and interpersonal skills, experience in risk management, and a proven ability to coach and develop team members using a servant leadership style.

At Novartis, you will find a culture that promotes accountability, high performance, and a commitment to innovation. As a Vendor Program Head, you will be encouraged to foster collaboration across teams and to advocate for new working methods. The supportive environment is designed to help you thrive and make a meaningful impact in advancing clinical objectives.

The expected salary range for a Vendor Program Head at Novartis is between $204,400 and $379,600 per year at the start of employment. Compensation varies based on geographical location, experience level, and individual qualifications. In addition to the base salary, the total compensation may include bonuses, stock options, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Novartis is committed to being an equal opportunity employer, ensuring that all recruitment, hiring, and promotion practices are free from discrimination. They focus on diversity across race, color, religion, gender identity, and other legally protected standards. This commitment also extends to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the employment process.

When answering this question, focus on specific examples from your past where you successfully managed vendor relationships during clinical trials. Highlight your strategic approaches, any challenges you faced, and how you overcame them to achieve project milestones.

Discuss your preferred communication strategies, such as regular updates, workshops, or summits. Emphasize the importance of building relationships and trust with vendors and internal teams for seamless collaboration.

Be prepared to talk about key performance indicators you've used in the past to evaluate vendor performance, including timelines, quality of work, and cost effectiveness, and how those metrics informed your decisions.

Explain your leadership philosophy, particularly around servant leadership. Share examples of how you encourage team members to take ownership of their work and hold themselves accountable through regular check-ins and supportive feedback.

Provide a specific example where you navigated a conflict between stakeholders. Outline the steps you took to understand both perspectives, facilitate discussions, and arrive at a resolution that aligned with organizational goals.

In your response, delve into any innovative approaches you've introduced to streamline vendor management, such as new technologies or workflows that enhanced efficiency and collaboration.

Describe your process for identifying and mitigating risks associated with vendor partnerships. Discuss tools or methodologies you utilize to assess risk effectively and ensure that you’re prepared for any challenges that may arise.

Talk about the strategies you implement to motivate and inspire your team toward high performance, including setting clear expectations, providing feedback, and recognizing outstanding contributions.

Highlight the key criteria you evaluate when selecting vendors, such as their experience, reliability, capacity to meet timelines, and their past performance on similar projects.

Share how you keep abreast of industry trends, regulations, and technologies that impact vendor management. Mention attending conferences, participating in professional networks, or continuing education as part of your strategy.