Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.
Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.
Position Summary
The Associate Director of Manufacturing Operations provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for multiple teams responsible for executing the end‑to‑end CAR‑T cell therapy manufacturing process, including Apheresis Receipt, Drug Product Packout, Cryopreservation, and Kitting. This role ensures that operations are carried out in compliance with cGMP requirements in both clinical and commercial settings.
As a senior site leader, the Associate Director partners cross‑functionally with Global Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, MS&T, EHS, and Operational Excellence to optimize business processes, enhance production capacity, strengthen compliance, and drive technical and organizational scalability. The role is responsible for developing front‑line leaders, setting strategic direction, enabling site readiness, and building a high‑performance culture that ensures safe, effective, and reliable delivery of therapies to patients.
This role serves as a key member of the Bothell Manufacturing Leadership Team and helps shape strategic priorities for the broader organization.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Organizational Development
Provide strategic leadership to Manufacturing Operations, leading multiple teams through front‑line managers and supervisors.
Hire, mentor, and develop leaders, fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
Establish organizational structure, capacity planning, shift models, and career pathways to meet evolving business needs.
Champion a strong safety and compliance culture aligned to cGMP, BMS policies, and behaviors that support audit readiness.
Operational Execution & Oversight
Oversee execution of manufacturing unit operations and ensure readiness of personnel, equipment, materials, documentation, and automation systems.
Ensure right‑first‑time execution and support investigations, deviations, CAPA, change controls, process transfers, and validation activities.
Provide technical and operational guidance to remove barriers, manage risks, and ensure consistent manufacturing performance.
Partner with cross‑functional teams to resolve complex operational issues and improve workflow efficiency.
Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement
Define and execute strategic initiatives that strengthen site production capability, throughput, quality, and cost effectiveness.
Drive implementation of systems and processes that support operational scalability and lifecycle management.
Establish, monitor, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess operational performance and drive continuous improvement.
Contribute to long‑term workforce planning, technology integration, resource modeling, and capital planning.
Site & Global Collaboration
Collaborate with site leadership and global teams to align on priorities, share best practices, and support network initiatives.
Represent Manufacturing Operations during regulatory inspections, audits, and key cross‑functional forums.
Influence global CAR‑T network processes, business systems, and operational standards.
Work Environment Requirements
Ability to work in cleanroom environments requires full gowning.
Ability to work in office settings with extended time using computers.
May work around human blood products (BSL‑2), magnets, or vapor‑phase LN2 areas.
Ability to stand or sit for extended periods.
Qualifications & Experience
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Demonstrated success in leading leaders and developing high‑performing teams.
Deep understanding of cGMP operations in biologics or cell therapy manufacturing.
Strong technical aptitude with manufacturing systems, automation, and complex processes.
Ability to operate in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment and lead through ambiguity.
Exceptional communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline required
8+ years of experience in biologics, cell therapy, or related manufacturing operations.
Minimum 6 years of leadership experience, including managing leaders and large teams.
Proven experience influencing cross‑functional and global teams.
BMSCART
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If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.
Compensation Overview:
The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience.
Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/.
Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans in effect at the time and may require enrollment. Our benefits include:
Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care.
Wellbeing Support: Programs such as BMS Well-Being Account, BMS Living Life Better, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
Financial Well-being and Protection: 401(k) plan, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection, personal liability protection, identity theft benefit, legal support, and survivor support.
Work-life benefits include:
Paid Time Off
US Exempt Employees: flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval, 11 paid national holidays (not applicable to employees in Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico or Rayzebio employees)
Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico and Rayzebio Exempt, Non-Exempt, Hourly Employees: 160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval, 11 national holidays, and 3 optional holidays
Based on eligibility*, additional time off for employees may include unlimited paid sick time, up to 2 paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military needs and an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Years Day.
All global employees full and part-time who are actively employed at and paid directly by BMS at the end of the calendar year are eligible to take advantage of the Global Shutdown.
*Eligibility Disclosure: The summer hours program is for United States (U.S.) office-based employees due to the unique nature of their work. Summer hours are generally not available for field sales and manufacturing operations and may also be limited for the capability centers. Employees in remote-by-design or lab-based roles may be eligible for summer hours, depending on the nature of their work, and should discuss eligibility with their manager. Employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement should consult that document to determine if they are eligible. Contractors, leased workers and other service providers are not eligible to participate in the program.
Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in a supportive culture, promoting global participation in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.
On-site Protocol
BMS has an occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:
Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.
Supporting People with Disabilities
BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.
Candidate Rights
BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.
If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/
Data Protection
We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection.
Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.
If you believe that the job posting is missing information required by local law or incorrect in any way, please contact BMS at TAEnablement@bms.com. Please provide the Job Title and Requisition number so we can review. Communications related to your application should not be sent to this email and you will not receive a response. Inquiries related to the status of your application should be directed to Chat with Ripley.
R1600215 : Associate Director, Manufacturing Operations