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Director S&T API

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Manufacturing

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

How do you manage budgets, facilities and people to keep multiple projects on track?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage budgets, facilities and people together, keeping several projects on track with limited resources.

Tell me about a process improvement you led for an existing API.

What they are checking: Whether they have improved established processes for cost, quality or reliability, which shows value beyond supporting new products.

How do you manage a technically diverse staff through section managers?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead a diverse technical staff through section managers, setting direction while developing those managers.

How do you hire and develop highly specialized scientists?

What they are checking: Whether they can attract and grow specialized scientists, since the function's strength depends on deep technical expertise.

What would you do

A commercial API batch fails an impurity specification. How do you lead the investigation?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead a structured investigation into a failed batch, finding the root cause while protecting supply and compliance.

How do you balance R&D timelines against manufacturing readiness?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance development speed with manufacturing readiness, since rushing transfer creates problems that delay supply later.

About the work

How do you lead technology transfer of an API process from R&D to a commercial site or TPM?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead tech transfer smoothly between R&D and manufacturing, since gaps in knowledge transfer cause failures at commercial scale.

Walk me through how you'd approach scale-up from pilot to full-scale API manufacturing.

What they are checking: Whether they understand the chemical engineering challenges of scaling API processes, since reactions often behave differently at larger scale.

How do you approach process validation and post-validation monitoring?

What they are checking: Whether they understand validation as an ongoing lifecycle, including monitoring after launch, rather than a single milestone.

What makes a TPM a good partner for API manufacturing?

What they are checking: Whether they know what makes a contract manufacturer reliable for API work, including technical capability, quality systems and communication.

How do you manage risk across a portfolio of API projects?

What they are checking: Whether they manage risk across many projects at once, focusing attention where failure would hurt the portfolio most.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

​​The Director, Operations Product Development, Science & Technology (PDS&T)'s primary responsibility is to set vision and strategy, plan, coordinate, direct, coach, develop, hire, communicate and control the use of manpower, facilities, and budgets to keep his/her projects on track within their technical, time and budget objectives. The director establishes goals that are consistent with development, manufacturing and customer requirements, implements plans/policies, assigns duties and responsibilities, and controls subordinates performance to meet division goals and commitments. The director through his/her section managers and direct reporting lines will manage a technically diverse staff of highly specialized scientists and technicians. He/she is a key link between development organizations and operations/third party contract manufacturers and ensures a seamless link between pilot scale and full scale manufacturing.​ Responsibilities: • Manage the strategies, assessment, review, planning, decision-making, completion and risk-management of all activities related to existing API and dosage forms improvement, formulation/process development and improvements, analytical support, product and process scale-up, technology transfer from R&D to Operations/TPMs, product validation, post validation monitoring and commercial support. In these responsibilities the director shall manage decisions, people and budgets within agreed objectives. • Provide mature, credible CMC leadership at AbbVie • Provide a positive senior leadership model for scientists within Operations PDS&T. • Maintain and direct a highly diversified cross functional staff of professionals to ensure that all aspects CMC life cycle management are completed on time, within budget and meet highest scientific, regulatory, quality, marketing and commercial standards • Evaluate and introduce new technology with applications in development and manufacturing while assuring the incorporation of knowledge of current regulations, guidance documents and competitive environment into decisions and strategy • Provide rapid and accurate evaluation of new business opportunities. Develop and communicate cost estimates, business plans, timelines and contingency plan • Provide technical leadership for process and regulatory deficiency issues. Provide guidance, create and implement strategic systems to improve PDS&T and Operations support for technical issues • Identify and recruit resources to accomplish project and departmental objectives within agreed time scope, and operating in an open communication environment while stressing scientific/compliance excellence. Make go/no-go decisions related to project responsibilities • Represent AbbVie to regulatory agencies (US/ROW as appropriate) by supplying verbal or written information and/or participation in face-to-face meetings for responsible activities. Provide effective technical and business leadership at the R&D/Operations interface. • The director must be able to develop relationships, interact with and influence the R&D organization and R&D management, as well as operations management. He/she must also be able to interact effectively with external contract manufacturers and customers to secure Abbvie interests. Challenges their staff to explore new technological opportunities and establishes an environment for their staff that promotes open communication, knowledge sharing and problem solving. • Master’s Degree or equivalent related experience in a related scientific field is required. • PhD or equivalent experience in a related scientific discipline is highly desired. • The incumbent would be expected to have10+ years of experience in API development / manufacturing, formulation, analytical chemistry and/or technical services roles, including at least 6+ years of managerial experience in the pharmaceutical industry. • Director, MS&T must have strong background and expertise in drug development, marketed product support, technical issue resolution & related technical, manufacturing, regulatory and compliance fields. Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​ • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​ • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​ • This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs. Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.​ AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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