Product Owner – CellChain Quality, Manufacturing & Labelling

About the role

Novartis is looking for a Product Owner for its CellChain platform covering quality, manufacturing, batch release, labelling and identity chain (Chain of Identity) for personalised CAR-T medicines. The role supports reliable, continuous patient supply and leads the NTO CellChain team. It is based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and is hybrid; relocation support is not offered.

Key responsibilities

• Resolve plant, batch-release, labelling and data-flow issues within defined quality boundaries and manage related escalations.
• Maintain understanding of the business rationale behind existing controls and configurations, supporting CellChain continuity and knowledge retention.
• Identify improvement opportunities across quality, leukapheresis, batch disposition and labelling with key business stakeholders.
• Promote standardisation and reduce local variations to protect the integrity of the global product design.
• Support integration between CellChain products and regional solutions, and drive design decisions with business process owners and Quality stakeholders.
• Partner with Digital, Data and Information Technology on product design, technical integration and operational support.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, GxP, computerised system validation and regulatory requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement of CellChain capabilities for personalised CAR-T products.

Required profile

• University degree in natural sciences, engineering, quality, manufacturing or another relevant field.
• At least 5 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including at least 2 years in QA, labelling or manufacturing operations, or equivalent experience.
• Active knowledge of Slovenian and English.

Required skills

• Knowledge and use of modern digital and technological tools, including AI-enabled systems.
• Skills listed: data analytics, inventory management, project management, risk management, stakeholder management, SAP ERP, supply chain planning.

What we offer

• Permanent employment with a 6-month probation period; expected annual base salary 46,900 to 87,100 EUR.
• Annual bonus of 15% of base salary, holiday allowance and a performance-based bonus.
• Voluntary supplementary pension insurance, accident insurance and group health insurance.
• Care Connect mental health support and other statutory benefits.