Manager, Third Party Manufacturing

As a Manager, Third Party Manufacturing at AbbVie, your role encompasses guiding the relationship between AbbVie and third-party manufacturers. This involves ensuring compliance with contract commitments, resolving issues as they arise, and facilitating effective communication among various departments. You'll be responsible for supply chain oversight, capacity planning, and identifying opportunities for cost reductions and optimizations, making this position both dynamic and impactful.

For the Manager, Third Party Manufacturing position at AbbVie, candidates should have a BS or BA in Science, Engineering, Operations, Business, or equivalent experience. Additionally, 5-8 years of relevant experience in areas such as Manufacturing, Program Management, or QA is essential. Successfully demonstrated skills in financial analysis, negotiations, and project management are key indicators of a successful applicant.

The Manager, Third Party Manufacturing at AbbVie plays a critical role in ensuring that product supply is consistent and meets quality standards by effectively collaborating with Third Party Manufacturers. This job directly influences supply chain efficiency, supports new product launches, and ensures that strategic objectives are met, all of which are vital for AbbVie's mission of delivering innovative healthcare solutions.

Success as a Manager, Third Party Manufacturing at AbbVie relies on a solid mix of program management experience, regulatory understanding, and exceptional communication skills. The ability to handle multiple accounts, negotiate contracts effectively, and identify efficiency opportunities are crucial for managing the dynamic and complex relationships with TPMs. Being team-oriented and having strong analytical skills will help you excel in this role.

At AbbVie, the Manager, Third Party Manufacturing role can open pathways for professional growth and advancement within the broader organization. By honing leadership skills and gaining exposure across various manufacturing and regulatory areas, you could progress to higher-level positions, or even transition into related divisions within Abbvie's wide array of innovative health solutions.

In preparing for this question, it’s vital to highlight specific instances where you effectively managed contracts with third-party manufacturers. Discuss how you monitored compliance, resolved issues, and communicated requirements clearly to ensure that both parties met their obligations. Use examples to demonstrate your analytical and negotiation capabilities.

When answering this, consider discussing techniques for continuous improvement, such as regular capacity assessments, collaboration with TPMs to identify areas for efficiency, and employing data analysis for informed decision-making. Highlight any tools or methodologies you are familiar with, like Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing, that could support these efforts.

Talk about your understanding of regulatory frameworks relevant to manufacturing. Describe processes you would implement to maintain compliance, such as regular audits and training, fostering transparency in communication, and working closely with Quality Assurance teams to address potential compliance issues proactively.

Prepare to share a specific example of a challenge and the steps you took to overcome it. Focus on the problem-solving aspects, what stakeholders were involved, how you communicated effectively, and what the outcome was. Highlight your leadership qualities and ability to maintain relationships during tough situations.

Discuss your familiarity with various project management methodologies like Agile, Waterfall, or PMBOK. Describe how you have used specific methodologies to track progress, manage resources, and ensure timely delivery in manufacturing projects. Your response should reflect your practical experience and adaptability to different project requirements.

Emphasize the importance of communication and rapport building. You might mention strategies like regular site visits, open lines of communication, and collaborative goal-setting to ensure mutual satisfaction. Discuss how these relationships can lead to improved operational efficiencies and trust.

Assure the interviewer that forecasting is crucial for aligning production capacity with market demand. Discuss your experience with demand planning tools, your approach to collaborating with marketing teams for accurate forecasts, and how you incorporate this data into TPM strategies for maintaining supply continuity.

Share your approach to handling compliance issues, emphasizing the importance of collaborative problem-solving. Discuss how you would first verify the issue, communicate clearly with the TPM about the consequences, and involve internal resources or legal teams if necessary to ensure the matter is resolved effectively and preserves the partnership.

Provide an example that showcases your leadership skills, focusing on how you brought together different teams towards a common goal. Discuss the importance of communication, project planning, and stakeholder management, illustrating how each team member’s expertise was leveraged to complete the project successfully.

Share your passion for driving quality and efficiency in the healthcare sector. Discuss how solving complex problems, collaborating with diverse teams, and making a tangible impact in people’s lives is what truly drives you in this career path, showcasing your alignment with AbbVie’s mission and values.