Sr Director US CAR-T Operations Lead

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world.  We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual.  At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Supply Chain Manufacturing

Job Sub Function:

Manufacturing Product & Packaging Operations

Job Category:

Professional

All Job Posting Locations:

Raritan, New Jersey, United States of America

Job Description:

About Innovative Medicine

Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow.

Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.

Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/innovative-medicine

We are searching for the best talent for Senior Director, US CAR-T Operations Lead role to be in United States, NJ Raritan.

Purpose:

The Senior Director, US CAR-T Operations Lead is a critical leadership role responsible for leading US CAR-T Manufacturing Operations in partnership with Legend Biotech and serving as the primary Operations interface across Johnson & Johnson’s Advanced Therapies ecosystem.

This leader will drive operational strategy to ensure a reliable, compliant, and patient-centric CAR-T supply chain, partnering across Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality, Planning, Regulatory Affairs, Procurement, External Manufacturing, R&D, and Commercial teams.

The successful leader will strengthen internal and external partnerships, accelerate innovation, improve manufacturing performance, and advance scalability and supply reliability while maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance.

This role requires a strategic, influential leader who can align diverse stakeholders, navigate a rapidly evolving cell therapy landscape, and ensure life-changing CAR-T therapies reach patients with speed, reliability, and quality.

You will be responsible for:

Strategic Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary Operations leader across the US CAR-T ecosystem, aligning senior stakeholders across Commercial, R&D, MSAT, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs, Technical Operations, Supply Chain, and Procurement.

• Strengthen the strategic partnership with Legend Biotech to enable collaboration, operational alignment, and delivery to patients.

• Partner with US Commercial teams to shape supply strategies, capabilities, and operating models that support a best-in-class customer and patient experience.

• Contribute to enterprise strategy and long-term business success as a member of the Advanced Therapies CAR-T Platform Leadership Team.

US CAR-T Manufacturing & Platform Leadership

• Lead US CAR-T manufacturing operations across clinical and commercial supply in partnership with Legend Biotech.

• Define the long-term manufacturing, innovation, and technology strategy for the cell therapy platform.

• Engage early with R&D, MSAT, and Regulatory Affairs to shape future capabilities and next-generation processes.

• Deploy scalable technology standards, business processes, and operating models for autologous cell therapies.

• Lead lifecycle management and commercial manufacturing readiness for advanced and novel cell therapy technologies.

Operational Excellence & Business Growth

• Lead Raritan site expansion to meet commercial demand and future portfolio growth.

• Sponsor initiatives that improve manufacturing capacity, performance, quality, and supply reliability.

• Drive end-to-end standardization, efficiency, quality, and customer service across functions.

• Ensure the organization has the capabilities, infrastructure, and flexibility to support a rapidly evolving cell therapy landscape.

Talent & Organizational Development

• Lead and develop an expanding organization through direct and matrix leadership.

• Building a diverse and sustainable leadership pipeline to support current and future business needs.

• Coach and develop leaders and emerging talent while strengthening succession planning and organizational capability.

• Holding leaders accountable for talent development, engagement, and performance outcomes.

Culture & Leadership

• Fostering a Credo-based culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and inclusion.

• Build a high-performance environment focused on patient impact, continuous improvement, engagement, and operational excellence.

• Inspire teams through visible leadership, agility, and a relentless focus on delivering for patients.

• Represent Advanced Therapies Platform on external speaking engagements in North-America.

Qualifications / Requirements:

Education

• Advanced degree required, preferably in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.

Experience

• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences organizations.

• Proven leadership experience in manufacturing, supply chain, and operations within complex, highly regulated environments.

• Experience in cell and gene therapy, advanced therapies, biologics, or related manufacturing operations required.

• Demonstrated success leading large-scale operations, external partnerships, and cross-functional organizations.

• Strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain, product lifecycle management, and commercialization.

• Financial and business acumen with experience managing budgets, investments, and strategic initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities

• Strong strategic thinking and execution skills.

• Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional programs and influence senior stakeholders.

• Exceptional collaboration, communication, and relationship management capabilities.

• Deep knowledge of GMP and global regulatory requirements.

• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Leadership Capabilities

• Strategic and business acumen.

• Decision making in complex environments.

• Innovation and continuous improvement mindset.

• Ability to lead through influence and develop high-performing teams.

• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and talent development skills.

• Inspiring and inclusive leadership style.

Other

• Ability to operate in a global 24/7 model and 5 days/week on site.

• Travel up to 10% as required.

Johnson & Johnson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by federal, state or local law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. 

Johnson & Johnson is committed to providing an interview process that is inclusive of our applicants’ needs. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation, external applicants please contact us via https://www.jnj.com/contact-us/careers , internal employees contact AskGS to be directed to your accommodation resource.

Required Skills:

 

 

Preferred Skills:

Agile Manufacturing, Business Alignment, Competitive Landscape Analysis, Critical Thinking, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Industry Analysis, Innovation, Leadership, Package and Labeling Regulations, Package Equipment, Package Management, Plant Operations, Product Packaging Design, Program Management, Quality Assurance (QA), Safety-Oriented, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Sustainability, Sustainable Packaging

 

 

The anticipated base pay range for this position is :

$178,000.00 - $307,050.00

Additional Description for Pay Transparency:

Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s consolidated retirement plan (pension) and savings plan (401(k)).



This position is eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program.



Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, employees are eligible for the following time off benefits:

Vacation –120 hours per calendar year

Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Colorado –48 hours per calendar year; for employees who reside in the State of Washington –56 hours per calendar year

Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year

Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year

Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child

Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year

Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period10 days

Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year

Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year

For additional general information on Company benefits, please go to: - https://www.careers.jnj.com/employee-benefits