Summary The External Operations Manager EOM serves as a key business partner and primary interface with external vendors ensuring operational excellence across the vendor network This includes driving high productivity and maintaining quality service delivery The core responsibility of this role is to govern the vendor system landscape including third-party user management The EOM system focus is accountable for setting up maintaining and continuously improving vendor-related processes involving data and systems In collaboration with the System Support and Integration Manager SSIM the EOM addresses system issues supports troubleshooting and contributes to ongoing improvement initiatives They also define and lead the governance framework aligning SSIMs internal super users and vendor stakeholders Using a data-driven approach the EOM analyzes organizational data to propose solutions to complex challenges and to support the development of recent business models They play a key role in implementing and integrating critical data initiatives that elevate GCS Operations to the next level of functional excellence ensuring seamless vendor integration where needed The EOM holds end-to-end operational responsibility for assigned systems and data leads local and project-related network activities and actively contributes to cross-functional teams About the Role Job responsibilities Serves as the primary point of contact for system-related activities between EOM SSIM and external vendors Coordinates EOM team efforts to enhance the IT landscape identifying new use cases for automation and analytics Applies data-driven decision-making to drive continuous process improvements in collaboration with SSIM IGM and vendors Supports and coordinates system governance processes for IT platforms e g SAP S4 working with GCS functions and vendors to ensure consistent system performance and fitness for use Provides expert guidance to EOM and vendors on business processes and system design supporting robust IT governance Acts as super user partnering with SSIM to resolve third-party user setups troubleshoot system application issues and conduct root cause analysis to prevent recurrence Monitors and optimizes system application performance to support operational excellence and service continuity Leads User Acceptance Testing UAT activities including test case design execution and defect resolution to ensure successful project implementation Delivers training and knowledge transfer to EOM team members and vendor partners to build system capability Acts as a catalyst for innovation in data and digital areas modelling Novartis values and behaviours When assigned manages financial activities including RFPs vendor selection grants POs invoice approvals and tracking of financial metrics When assigned manages vendor deviations escalating major issues or bottlenecks to relevant internal stakeholders and external partners Supports external audits and inspections collaborating with TRD QA and GCP QA where applicable to address system-related topics Monitors vendor performance using defined KPIs collaborates with vendors to drive process improvements and ensures timely action follow-up and closure Minimum Requirements 7 years of practical experience in chemical pharmaceutical industry or 3 years of experience in field of expertise Good knowledge about the Drug Development process Basic project management and risk management good organization and planning skills business analysis high end analytics tools SAP S4 HANA Power BI Qlik Knowledge of relevant regulations e g GMP HSE etc and Novartis specific standards Demonstrates problem-solving and idea generation skills Good presentation skills Fundamental Leadership skills Very good communication negotiation and interpersonal skills Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams Why Novartis Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science It takes a community of smart passionate people like you Collaborating supporting and inspiring each other Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients lives Ready to create a brighter future together https www novartis com about strategy people-and-culture Join our Novartis Network Not the right Novartis role for you Sign up to our talent community to stay connected and learn about suitable career opportunities as soon as they come up https talentnetwork novartis com network Benefits and Rewards Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we ll help you thrive personally and professionally https www novartis com careers benefits-rewards Division Development Business Unit Universal Hierarchy Node Location India Site Hyderabad Office Company Legal Entity IN10 FCRS IN010 Novartis Healthcare Private Limited Functional Area Research Development Job Type Full time Employment Type Regular Shift Work No Accessibility and accommodation Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities If because of a medical condition or disability you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process or in order to perform the essential functions of a position please send an e-mail to email protected and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information Please include the job requisition number in your message Novartis is committed to building an outstanding inclusive work setting and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve