Senior External Manufacturing Lead
Application deadline: September 20th, 2026
Location: Ballerup 2750, Denmark, Denmark
Contract type: Permanent
Job ID: 4803

Shape the future of manufacturing at LEO Pharma and make a global impact. This role offers a unique opportunity to work with emerging technologies and high profile products that are at the core of LEO Pharma’s strategy.
You will be part of a dedicated and highly skilled External Manufacturing team based in Ballerup, Denmark. Our team collaborates across functions, including Pharmaceutical Development, Supply Chain, Procurement, Commercial, Global Quality, and Regulatory, to deliver strategic projects and products that drive LEO Pharma’s success. We value teamwork, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence. The external manufacturing is a significantly growing area in LEO Pharma with many exciting projects in progress.
Your role
You will be accountable for external high value supply chains of custom made products from our external partners that are critical to LEO Pharma’s supply to market. You will work across functions and with external partners to ensure robust compliant supply, at the right quality and cost, driving continuous improvements, and building strong partnerships.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Ensuring uninterrupted product supply and effectively manage strategic relationships and activities to gain the highest possible value from our contract manufacturing partners (CMOs) through continuous improvement work.
- Lead cross-functional supply chain execution teams (Technical, Quality, Regulatory, Planning, Procurement, Finance).
- Ensure a smooth transition of supply chain accountability from our project managers to commercial supply.
- Ensure complaints, deviations and change controls in compliance with GxP and regulatory filings are managed.
- Risk management.
- Negotiate with external partners and represent LEO Pharma in strategic collaborations.
- Supply chain strategy for the relevant portfolio.
- Primary representative for escalations to senior management for relevant portfolio.
In addition to these tasks, you will contribute to the continuous optimisation and standardisation of department processes, ensuring excellence in execution.
Your qualifications
We are looking for an experienced supplier relationship manager who has worked in a global context and interacted with stakeholders at all levels. Someone who can bring knowledge of manufacturing in Pharma and navigate in complex, cross-functional supply chains.
Your background:
- University degree or Master of Science, Engineering, or Business related field with minimum 10 years’ relevant experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Solid business acumen and significant experience of a pharmaceutical production and supply chain.
- Experience working within a cGMP, quality and highly regulated environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex, global, cross-functional initiatives, with or without direct reports.
- Able to communicate clearly and effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Able to build respectful, trusting relationships across cultures, functions, and organisational levels.
- Problem solving capability, can effectively resolve issues in a collaborative and effective manner.
- Knowledge and experience in Biologics manufacturing is a benefit.
You will thrive in this role if you are looking for a challenging position that offers broad collaboration and alignment focus, dynamic environment where adapting to change is needed and embark on an innovative journey with us.
Contact and application
For additional information, please contact hiring manager Senior Director External manufacturing, Kristina Kölerud at KRKOL@LEO-Pharma.com
You do not need to upload a cover letter, but feel free to add a few sentences in your resume or CV on why this position has your interest.
Beyond the skin
Join LEO Pharma, a global leader in medical dermatology, as we go beyond the skin to make a lasting impact. Our innovative approach sets us apart. We are dedicated to leaving a legacy that positively impacts patients, colleagues, and our planet.
At LEO Pharma, we believe in the power of individuals to drive change. Our flat organizational structure empowers you to make a visible impact and offers versatile roles for professional growth. We value diversity and welcome applications from all qualified candidates, recognizing that our different perspectives, backgrounds, and attitudes enable us to make the best decisions. Join our passionate team at LEO Pharma and be yourself as we work together to make a difference.
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