Associate Vice President, External Manufacturing API

Job Overview: Associate Vice President, External Manufacturing API

Lilly, a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, is seeking an executive-level Associate Vice President (AVP) to lead its global external manufacturing network for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). This is a high-stakes leadership role accountable for the strategic oversight of Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) and key manufacturing partners worldwide.

As the primary ambassador to Lilly’s strategic partners, you will architect a forward-looking operating model to support an unprecedented pipeline of new product launches. You will ensure that externally manufactured medicines meet the same rigorous standards for quality, safety, and reliability as those produced within Lilly’s internal facilities.

Executive Deliverables & Strategic Scope

Partnership & Governance

• CMO Ambassador: Forge high-impact collaborations with global CMOs, leading executive reviews and managing complex contract negotiations in partnership with Global Procurement.

• Governance Integration: Apply Lilly’s internal operational rigor to external partners, ensuring parity in performance oversight, process discipline, and accountability.

• Business Development: Evaluate new CMO candidates and lead the transition plans for their integration into Lilly’s global oversight model.

Operational Excellence

• Strategic Planning: Develop and execute a business plan that accelerates cycle times and elevates quality across the external portfolio.

• Tech Transfer & Launch: Oversee the seamless transfer of technology and ensure global launch readiness for externally manufactured products.

• Lean Leadership: Build a high-performing organization grounded in lean principles and manufacturing excellence to support Lilly’s expanding global footprint.

Quality & Compliance

• Proactive Monitoring: Enable seamless commercialization through rigorous process monitoring, trending analysis, and deviation management at CMO sites.

• Standard Evolution: Continuously update Contract Manufacturing Standards to reflect the complexity of modern drug launches and regulatory dynamics.

Requirements & Executive Qualifications

Minimum Professional Criteria

• Experience: Minimum of 15 years of progressive pharmaceutical manufacturing experience, with a proven track record in API operations and site leadership.

• Technical Mastery: Deep expertise in chemical synthesis, peptide synthesis/purification, small molecule production, and large-scale biotech production.

• Regulatory Knowledge: Extensive understanding of cGMPs, global regulatory standards, and industry best practices for validation and quality systems.

• Education: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Scientific, or Life Sciences; an MBA is preferred.

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

• Negotiation: Demonstrated success in partnership-building and high-stakes negotiations with external stakeholders.

• Communication: Exceptional executive presence and interpersonal skills, with the ability to unify cross-functional teams toward a shared mission.

• Resilience: A strategic mindset with a high tolerance for ambiguity and a bias for continuous improvement.

  The Organization & Culture The culture at Lilly in 2026 is defined by a “Mission-Led High Performance” mindset. With the tagline “We unite caring with discovery,” there is a palpable sense of pride among the 40,000+ global employees (many of whom are based in Indy). However, this “Patient-First” mission is paired with a relentless drive for speed; the company has successfully reduced the time from drug discovery to market by over three years. Internally, the environment is described as “Collaborative but High-Pressure.” While the “Lilly Family” feel remains in many departments, the rapid scaling of products like Zepbound and Mounjaro has created a high-stakes, “always-on” atmosphere, particularly in manufacturing and clinical operations.

  The Indianapolis Presence: The Global Command Center Lilly is the “crown jewel” of the Indianapolis economy, and its 2026 footprint reflects its unprecedented financial success:

  • The “Lilly Direct” Revolution: Strategically, Lilly has bypassed traditional pharmacy models with its LillyDirect platform, which served over a million customers in 2025. This digital-first strategy is managed from the Indianapolis HQ, connecting patients directly to telehealth and home delivery for obesity, migraine, and diabetes medications.

  • Lilly Gateway Labs: In 2026, the Indianapolis campus acts as a “Biotech Incubator,” hosting dozens of external startup companies through the Catalyze360 program. This allows Lilly to foster local innovation while keeping a “front-row seat” for potential acquisitions.

  • The AI Supercomputer: Partnering with NVIDIA, Lilly is currently building a $1 billion supercomputer in its Indianapolis research hub to accelerate the discovery of the next generation of genetic medicines and small molecules.