Director, Drug Substance Commercial Manufacturing

At Kailera, we are bold, authentic and committed to our mission of developing therapies that give people the power to transform their lives and elevate their overall health. Rooted in an entrepreneurial spirit and a team-oriented culture, we are working together to advance Kailera’s mission to advance novel therapies for obesity and related conditions. We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes collaboration, integrity, and excellence. As we expand, we seek the most talented individuals with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to join our team.

What You’ll Do:

The Director, Drug Substance Commercial Manufacturing will own Drug Substance (DS) technology transfer, Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT), manufacturing oversight, and Operational Excellence (OpEx) for assigned CDMO sites in Kailera’s CDMO network. Reporting to the Vice President, Commercial Manufacturing, this leader is the sponsor-side technical and operational owner of the DS process at those sites, from transfer-in and validation through launch, routine commercial supply, continued process verification (CPV), and lifecycle management. Where an assigned CDMO is also developing new processes for Kailera, the role provides sponsor oversight of that work.

The role leads the MSAT and manufacturing oversight team and the day-to-day relationship with each CDMO. This role works closely with CMC Development and Analytical, who retain decisions on process development and on analytical methods and specifications. This person ensures the agreed processes and methods are implemented at the CDMO exactly as approved, with no unapproved changes. They coordinate with peer DS leaders to keep process knowledge, controls, and analytical performance consistent across the network, and partners with Quality, Regulatory CMC, Drug product, Supply Chain, and the Project Management Office (PMO).

Required location: Waltham, MA (hub-based, onsite 3-4 days per week) OR Remote (home-based, onsite at a hub 1 week every other month).

Responsibilities:

Lead DS transfer to assigned CDMOs: process knowledge packages, equipment and facility fit assessments, scale-up, engineering batches, and transfer acceptance criteria. Translate network DS strategy into an execution plan with milestones, resources, and risks through PPQ, registration, and launch

Lead drug substance (DS) technology transfer, process validation, commercialization, and lifecycle management across CDMO partners, ensuring successful scale-up, PPQ execution, regulatory approval, launch readiness, and continuous supply

Serve as the technical owner of commercial peptide DS processes, providing oversight of manufacturing operations, process performance, yield, quality, robustness, control strategies, and continuous improvement initiatives

Drive process monitoring, comparability assessments, investigations, change control, CAPAs, and continued process verification (CPV), partnering closely with Quality, Analytical, CMC Development, Regulatory, and Supply Chain functions

Provide technical leadership for CDMO development and manufacturing activities, including process transfers, method implementation, campaign readiness, deviation management, risk mitigation, capacity planning, and operational governance

Author and support DS CMC documentation, regulatory submissions, inspection readiness activities, and health authority interactions, ensuring alignment between manufacturing execution and regulatory commitments

Evaluate and support CDMO selection, audits, technical agreements, process changes, capacity strategies, business continuity planning, and external spend management

Build, lead, and develop high-performing MSAT, manufacturing oversight, and technology transfer teams while fostering strong cross-functional and external partnerships to achieve business, quality, and supply objectives

Required Qualifications:

10+ years of relevant experience in drug substance technical operations, including at least 5 years of leadership with accountability for technology transfer and process validation at external manufacturers through commercial supply

Hands-on experience in MSAT or technical operations for commercial-stage DS manufacturing at CDMOs, including CPV, troubleshooting, and lifecycle change management

Experience overseeing commercial DS manufacturing campaigns at external partners, including batch record review, deviation response, and recovery of at-risk supply

Deep expertise in synthetic peptide DS manufacturing, including synthesis, purification, impurity control, scale-up, and process troubleshooting

Demonstrated experience in technology transfer, process characterization, control strategy implementation, and PPQ

Experience driving operational excellence and continuous improvement (yield, cycle time, cost, robustness) at CDMOs or external manufacturing sites

Strong understanding of CDMO operating models, capabilities, capacity constraints, and commercial drivers, with experience establishing governance and managing external partner performance

Experience contributing to DS CMC documentation for marketing applications and supporting regulatory review for inspection readiness. Commercial launch experience is strongly preferred

Strong understanding of cGMP, pharmaceutical quality systems, analytical and stability requirements, comparability, and global DS regulatory expectations

Proven ability to build and develop technical teams and deliver multiple workstreams with clear priorities, budgets, and accountability

Strong scientific judgement and business acumen, with the ability to evaluate technical evidence, communicate tradeoffs, and influence cross-functional decisions without owning every decision

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; ability to travel domestically and internationally to CDMOs and company sites

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with peptide therapeutics at commercial scale

Experience managing a multi-CDMO network with distinct quality systems and timelines

Experience with a first product launch, global DS networks, supply continuity planning, and post-approval process improvements

Experience with minimum annual volume and take-or-pay commitments, including assessing financial exposure and aligning operations to contractual thresholds

Hands-on plant or CDMO experience combined with sponsor-side oversight, including person-in-plant support during commercial campaigns

Experience providing sponsor oversight of CDMO process development alongside commercial supply

Experience with solid-phase, solution-phase, or hybrid peptide synthesis, preparative chromatography, commercial isolation and drying

Experience with design of experiments, statistical process evaluation, and CPV

Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent continuous improvement training or certification

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, or a related field required. An advanced degree (M.S., Ph.D., or equivalent) is preferred

Salary Range$196,000—$240,000 USD

For Full Time Roles: This range represents the company’s good-faith estimate of the salary at the time of posting. Actual pay may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, location, and internal equity. We also offer comprehensive health coverage, flexible time off, paid holidays, and a year-end shutdown. Enjoy a monthly wellness stipend, generous 401(k) match, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, disability and life insurance, plus annual bonus opportunities and equity grants—because your well-being and future matter to us.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION:

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, creed, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age (40 and over), sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, reproductive health decisions, domestic victim status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

E-Verify:

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