Principal Scientist, Global Upstream Production

Job Title – Global Upstream Production Leader (international Deployment)

Work Location – Years 1-2 (Rooting Phase): Shanghai / Wuxi / Suzhou, China (Deep immersion in  WuXi system) Years 3+ (Assignment Phase): USA / Singapore (Based on business needs and individual preferences)

Reporting Line – (Rooting Phase) Site Head, China  (Assignment Phase) Site Head, Overseas Site

Career Opportunity
This is a fast-track global leadership program designed to cultivate future leaders with deep roots in China and global influence. To prepare for your future global role, you will first spend two years at China headquarters, deeply embedded in WuXi systems in action—leading local teams and delivering high-impact projects to build your foundation for global leadership. After this foundational period, you will be expatriated as a core leader to one of our overseas sites to assume a senior production management role, equipped with an intimate understanding of our systems and a strong trust network with headquarters.

Job Responsibilities

Phase 1: Deep Integration & Hands-on Leadership in China (Years 1-2)

• Production Management: Take full responsibility for daily upstream operations at China facilities—directly managing Shift Leaders across shift scheduling, training, performance, while fostering a robust talent pipeline.


• Project Delivery: Lead the upstream execution of clinical or commercial projects, taking full ownership of output, timeline, and compliance.


• System Internalization: Gain a deep, operational understanding of WuXi Biologics' quality management system, digital operations, and cross-functional collaboration models, internalizing these as core competencies.

Phase 2: Full Leadership at Overseas Site (Years 3+, Long-term Assignment)

• System Replication: Successfully replicate the WUXI operational excellence model from headquarter to the overseas site, leading the setup and optimization of upstream production processes.


• Team Building: Build, develop, and lead the overseas upstream team, fostering a high-performance team that combines international perspective with "WuXi Speed."


• Technology Transfer: Act as the primary technical interface, leading the technology transfer of processes from China to the overseas site, ensuring a smooth, efficient, and compliant scale-up.


• Global Collaboration: Serve as a strategic bridge between China headquarters and the overseas facility, facilitating cross regional technical collaboration and resource integration.

Qualifications

• Eduaction: Master's degree or higher in Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Engineering, or related fields; Ph.D. preferred.

• 5+ years of experience in biopharmaceutical production, including at least 2 years in a production management role within  multinational pharmaceutical company.


• Hands-on experience in frontline production and team management at a US or EU GMP manufacturing site, with a strong command of Western regulatory inspection practices and compliance requirements.


• Experience managing commercial production lines and successfully passing FDA/EMA inspections is highly preferred.


• Deep expertise in various cell culture processes and proficiency with both single-use and stainless steel bioreactor systems.


• Strong understanding of international GMP regulations and the ability to integrate them into daily management practices.


• Bilingual Proficiency: Must possess native-level fluency in both Chinese and English. Ability to fluently guide frontline operators in Chinese and collaborate deeply with cross-functional colleagues in China, while also writing technical reports and presenting to global leadership in English.


• Cultural Adaptability: Exceptional cross-cultural adaptability and resilience. Willingness to live and work in China for two years to genuinely integrate into the local teams and build trust.


• Leadership Style: A "coach-style" leader, skilled at inspiring teams and building talent pipelines, combining hands-on manufacturing expertise with a strong focus on people development.

WuXi Biologics is 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, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.