Cytokinetics is a specialty cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company, building on its over 25 years of pioneering scientific innovations in muscle biology, and advancing a pipeline of potential new medicines for patients suffering from diseases of cardiac muscle dysfunction. Cytokinetics is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our team as Associate Director, New Product Introduction (NP) in the Global Supply Chain & Technical Operations (GSC&TO) organisation. Reporting to the Executive Director, Strategic Product Leader (SPL), this role provides dedicated operational leadership for global new product introductions and early commercial lifecycle activities. The Associate Director, NPI partners closely with the SPL and Operations Launch Team to translate product and launch strategy into executable operational plans, ensuring market requirements are clearly defined, operational assumptions are validated, and cross‑functional activities are aligned to enable compliant, on-time launch execution across markets.
Responsibilities
Operational Launch Execution & Integration
Lead operational coordination of new product launches across global markets.
Drive launch readiness activities, ensuring required inputs are identified, sequenced, and aligned across Regulatory, Packaging, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Commercial, and Market Access.
Serve as the central operations integration point for launch execution activities.
Support launch readiness reviews, rehearsals, and go‑live preparation.
Operations Product Launch Strategy & Market Requirements
Provide operational input into product and launch strategy, including business case assessments and scenario evaluations.
Lead the market requirements process with Commercial and Market Access to define, validate, and translate country‑specific regulatory, packaging, serialisation and distribution requirements into executable launch plans aligned to approval timelines and commercial sequencing.
Regulatory, Packaging & Route‑to‑Market Readiness
Partner with Regulatory Affairs to operationalize market‑specific regulatory requirements impacting launch execution.
Coordinate packaging, labeling, artwork, activities in line with launch timelines.
Translate route‑to‑market models into operational requirements, including packaging configuration, supply sequencing, inventory build strategies, and distribution readiness.
Risk Management, Governance & Continuous Improvement
Identify operational risks, dependencies, and execution gaps impacting launch readiness.
Drive mitigation planning and follow‑through to protect launch timelines and patient access.
Develop, maintain and continuously enhance the operations launch playbook to enable consistent, repeatable execution across markets.
Capture lessons learned and embed best practices into NPI governance standards and tools.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Pharmacy, or related discipline.
8–12+ years of experience in pharmaceutical or biopharma operations, technical operations, supply chain, or launch roles.
Hands‑on experience supporting new product introductions and/or product launches.
Strong working knowledge of:
Packaging, labeling, and artwork processes
Regulatory requirements impacting launch execution
Manufacturing and supply chain interfaces
Experience working effectively in cross‑functional, matrixed environments.
Preferred
Experience supporting European and/or International product launches.
Background spanning technical operations and commercial launch environments.
Familiarity with structured launch readiness frameworks or NPI governance models.
Experience operating in fast‑paced biotech or specialty pharma organizations.
Key Attributes
Strong execution discipline with the ability to manage complex, multi‑workstream launch activities.
Ability to influence across functions without direct authority.
Strategic mindset with operational depth and proactive risk identification.
Adaptability and resilience in dynamic launch environments.
Commitment to enabling timely, compliant product availability and patient access.
Cytokinetics is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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