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Vice President, Manufacturing Operations & Managing Director

Visp, Valais, Switzerland

Join our Mission to Protect Humankind!

Vaxcyte is a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company engineering high-fidelity vaccines to protect humankind from the consequences of bacterial diseases, which have serious and costly health consequences when left unchecked. Working to eradicate or treat bacterial infections such as invasive pneumococcal disease, Group A Strep, and Shigella is just the beginning. Our path to success is clear and well-defined, and Vaxcyte is set up to go the distance. 
 
WHAT we do is every bit as important as HOW we do it! Our work together is guided by four enduring core values:
 
*RETHINK CONVENTION: We bring creative and intellectual diversity to every facet of the work we do in order to innovate and re-innovate the way vaccines are delivered.
 
*AIM HIGH: We embody our collectively audacious goal to courageously make the most complex biologics ever attempted to protect humankind.
 
*LEAD WITH HEART: Everyone leads at Vaxcyte with a kindness-first, inclusive approach to collaboration and vigorous debate that advances our business objectives.
 
*MODEL EXCELLENCE:  The magnitude of our challenge requires our shared commitment to demonstrating integrity, accountability, equality and clarity across communications and decision making.

Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic leader to join Vaxcyte as Vice President, Manufacturing Operations & Managing Director for Vaxcyte Switzerland GmbH. This role will lead a high-performing operations organization in Switzerland, supporting late-stage development, commercial readiness, and long-term growth. The role will oversee critical capital projects, scale clinical and commercial supply capabilities, and provide strategic and operational leadership across a network of Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) in Europe to ensure reliable, compliant product supply. This position is accountable for both strategic and operational leadership of GMP activities. Strategically, the role will evolve the manufacturing network, strengthen key external partnerships, and ensure alignment with corporate objectives. Operationally, it will drive site performance, scale capabilities, and deliver program milestones. The role oversees Engineering & Facilities, Manufacturing, Sourcing, and Supply Chain, with dotted-line leadership for MSAT and Quality Control in Visp.

Partnering closely with Process Development, Quality Assurance, and Regulatory, this role will drive facility performance and network execution while developing a deep understanding of program drivers and translating these into actionable plans across internal teams and CMOs. This role is critical to ensure timely, compliant, and uninterrupted supply of Vaxcyte’s therapies. Strong GxP knowledge and deep expertise in biologics manufacturing, engineering, and organizational leadership are required.

Essential Functions:

  • Provide leadership, strategic direction, and risk-based oversight to translate corporate strategy into global manufacturing execution.
  • Take strong ownership of site success. Lead and manage the Vaxcyte Switzerland organization, including direct and matrixed reporting structures.
  • Build and develop high-performing teams across Engineering & Facilities, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Supply Chain, MSAT, and Quality Control.
  • Oversee and strategically manage CMO relationships, including participation in Joint Steering Committees (JSCs), ensuring alignment on quality, timelines, and cost.
  • Oversee all CMO activities and commercial supply operations to ensure reliable, compliant delivery aligned with market needs.
  • Lead capital projects, including design, construction, startup, validation, and licensing of manufacturing facilities.
  • Drive facility performance, site master planning, continuous improvement, COGs reduction initiatives to support scalability and long-term growth.
  • Establish and enhance manufacturing engineering and facilities capabilities supporting clinical and commercial supply.
  • Develop and monitor KPIs and dashboards to track performance, risks, and progress across operations. Provide comprehensive performance reporting on the supply network to all relevant stakeholders.
  • Collaborate closely with Process Development, Quality Assurance, Regulatory, and other cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and execution excellence.
  • Coordinate resource planning internally and across CMOs, proactively addressing gaps, constraints, and risks.
  • Serve as escalation point for critical production or supply issues, leading cross-functional response.
  • Develop deep understanding of program priorities and translate into execution plans across internal teams and CMOs.
  • Represent Vaxcyte in external engagements, including governmental and regional stakeholders.
  • Champion operational excellence, continuous improvement, and strong GxP complian

Requirements:

MS in Science or Engineering with 20+ years of experience, or PhD with 15+ years of experience.  15+ years of leadership experience in GMP manufacturing, operations, engineering, or large-scale biologics environments. Other combinations of education and/or experience may be considered.

  • Proven experience leading global manufacturing networks, including CMO oversight.
  • Demonstrated success in facility startup, scale-up, and commercialization.
  • Strong experience in microbial GMP manufacturing; multi-valent complex vaccines experience highly desired.
  • Proven ability to build and lead high-performing, cross-functional teams.
  • Experience establishing strong quality, safety, and continuous improvement cultures.
  • Strong financial acumen, including capital project and budget management.
  • Experience identifying and executing strategic investments.
  • Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels with strong decision-making skills.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management capabilities.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Reports to: Chief Technical Operations Officer

Location: Visp, Switzerland

Compensation: The compensation package will be competitive and includes comprehensive benefits and an equity component.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

 

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