AbbVie

AbbVie

Global biopharmaceutical company developing medicines

Project Director - Peptide API, Hybrid

Full-Time
$182k - $346k/yr
Expert
Bachelor's, Master's, MBA
Waukegan, IL, USA
Hybrid

Hybrid role; some on-site days in North Chicago, IL required.

About the job

Requirements
  • BS, Engineering or equivalent technical degree; Master’s degree in Engineering or MBA preferred
  • Minimum of 15+ years of experience as a Senior Engineering / Projects / Operations Leader across multiple technologies
  • In-depth technical and operational expertise across AbbVie manufacturing technologies including Biologics BDS/BDP, Small Molecule API/OSD, Medical Device, and Packaging Operations
  • Proven inclusive management and leadership capabilities of large cross-functional teams and the ability to effectively interact and communicate with senior leadership and executives from strategic partners and authorities
  • Outstanding negotiation skills and knowledgeable and experienced functional responsibility of diverse functions required for successful operations including Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering and Financials
  • Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams in a global matrixed organization. Ability to lead change and deliver results across a matrix organization.
  • Business acumen and direct financial planning/budgeting experience required including P&L responsibility
  • Highly articulate with strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to mentor and develop next generation of leaders
  • Frequent travel to project sites within the US and to design reviews/workshops outside the US will be required
  • Key Stakeholders: ME&C, PDS&T, R&D, Procurement, Global Engineering, EHS, Facilities, AI and Digital Transformation, Government Affairs
Responsibilities
  • Lead a team of professionals to achieve the charter, priorities and milestones of strategic peptide manufacturing project within the US.
  • Lead and manage complex and strategically critical capital projects to ensure timely delivery of project milestones in a compliant and efficient manner.
  • Responsible for compliance to AbbVie EHS standards and ensure Zero incidents or non-conformances during construction of all the projects.
  • Develop strategies to efficiently deliver concept studies, basic and detailed design, procure capital equipment and contract construction services.
  • Drive transformation across all phases of the projects to deliver best-in-class technology, efficiency in execution to reduce the overall project line up to 20% from the baseline, introduce AI and digitalization in various aspects of project management and development.
  • Direct all phases of the project development from initiation of the business case/Request for Capital through contract negotiation, cost accountability and program execution ensuring adherence to company standards, competitive pricing, and manufacturing schedules, if in a brownfield development.
  • Responsible to meet the key intent of the projects – best-in-class design, on time delivery, delivery of scope on or below budgeted cost and conformance to quality requirements.
  • Develop and implement comprehensive risk management strategies to mitigate potential issues during development of projects.
  • Drive KPIs to measure and monitor performance of strategic projects in the US, effectively communicate performance and risks to the steering committees and ensure top-tier governance of the projects.
  • Collaborate with internal teams including procurement, quality assurance, PDS&T, ME&C and R&D to ensure alignment and efficiency in decisions that impact project priorities. Partner with AbbVie stakeholder groups to facilitate resolution of process, technical or quality issues
  • Develop a sourcing strategy with procurement and be responsible to manage relationships with consultants, Architectural/Engineering firms, construction contractors including participation in project review meetings, contract negotiations and dispute resolution.
  • Develop estimates and plans along with any technical and financial analysis such as ROI/NPV for new projects to be planned.
  • Develop Long Range Plans that include capital and project estimates and scope required to support internal manufacturing of pipeline products or established products that need new or additional manufacturing capacity
Desired Qualifications
  • Master’s degree in Engineering or MBA preferred
  • MBA preferred
  • Possession of advanced certifications in project management (e.g., Project Management Professional) preferred
  • Experience with AI and digital transformation initiatives in project management and manufacturing operations preferred
  • Experience leading capital projects in pharmaceutical manufacturing environments preferred

About the company

AbbVie is a global biopharmaceutical company that develops and sells medicines to treat serious health conditions. Its portfolio spans immunology, oncology, virology, neuroscience, and aesthetics, with products designed to modulate the immune system, target disease pathways, or support medical aesthetics. AbbVie compounds its products through a heavy emphasis on research and development, investing billions to build a steady pipeline of new therapies. Its medicines are brought to market by selling to healthcare providers, hospitals, and clinics, and in some cases directly to patients via prescriptions. The company differentiates itself through a wide, globally distributed product line, substantial R&D investment, and a commitment to sustainability and patient care, including science-based targets. AbbVie’s goal is to improve patient outcomes by delivering effective treatments for unmet medical needs while pursuing long-term, responsible growth across healthcare markets.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

North Chicago, Illinois

Founded

1888

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • RINVOQ gained European approval for juvenile idiopathic arthritis on September 22, 2026.
  • July 2026 European approval expanded RINVOQ in severe alopecia areata.
  • Etentamig delivered 74% response rates in September 2026 myeloma data.

What critics are saying

  • Humira sales fell 36.1% in July 2026, exposing lingering erosion.
  • Apogee dilutes 2026 EPS by $0.14, then $0.46 in 2027.
  • Rinvoq and Skyrizi face 2033 patent pressure despite current settlements.

What makes AbbVie unique

  • Skyrizi and Rinvoq anchor AbbVie’s post-Humira immunology franchise in 2026.
  • Apogee acquisition adds zumilokibart and asthma biology after September 3, 2026.
  • Iambic collaboration broadens AI discovery across immunology, neuroscience, and oncology.

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Benefits

Remote Work Options

Flexible Work Hours

Professional Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

5%

1 year growth

5%

2 year growth

5%
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September 18, 2026 AbbVie highlights new real-world data supporting the effectiveness of VRAYLAR(R)(cariprazine) at Psych Congress 2026. * New data from prospective real-world studies of VRAYLAR showed meaningful improvements in depressive symptoms, functioning and quality of life among adults living with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar I (BP-I) depression * These findings provide additional evidence that the benefits observed with VRAYLAR in clinical trials can also be achieved in routine practice, where patients often have more complex treatment needs NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today presented new VRAYLAR(R)(cariprazine) data at Psych Congress 2026 in New Orleans, including results from two prospective real-world observational studies in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar I disorder (BP-I). The findings reinforce that the efficacy established in clinical trials translates to effectiveness in the broader, more clinically complex patient populations healthcare providers treat every day. "Because mood disorders are highly heterogeneous, it is critical to evaluate treatments in real-world settings where care is delivered every day," said Mudra Kapoor, M.D., vice president, global medical affairs, AbbVie. "These prospective studies provide additional evidence that VRAYLAR can help patients achieve meaningful improvements in depressive symptoms, functioning and other patient-centered outcomes in routine clinical practice." In the real-world BP-I depression study, CReW BP-I, patients treated with VRAYLAR experienced significant improvements in depressive symptoms as well as outcomes that affect daily life, including functioning and quality of life, after 12 weeks of treatment in routine clinical practice; the most common adverse events were nausea and dizziness. In ProACt, a real-world study of adjunctive VRAYLAR in MDD, interim findings showed improvements not only in depressive symptoms, but also in outcomes that affect day-to-day life and matter most to patients, including functioning, motivation, energy and anhedonia. In addition to these real-world studies, AbbVie also presented an indirect comparative analysis in MDD, long-term pediatric safety data, and patient preference research evaluating treatment approaches following inadequate antidepressant response. "For clinicians, one of the most important questions is whether the benefits demonstrated in clinical trials hold up in the real world, where patients have unique needs, experiences and treatment journeys," said Andrew J. Cutler, M.D., an author of the ProACt study, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University and Chief Medical Officer of the Neuroscience Education Institute. "These studies reinforce what has been established in VRAYLAR clinical trials and provide additional confidence that meaningful improvements in symptoms, functioning and patient-reported outcomes can be achieved beyond the controlled environment of a trial. That kind of real-world validation is valuable when making individualized treatment decisions in everyday clinical practice." MDD and BP-I can profoundly affect every aspect of a person's life and often require long-term, comprehensive care. Approximately one in five U.S. adults will experience MDD during their lifetime, and nearly 11 million adults are living with bipolar disorder, yet many continue to experience ongoing symptoms despite available treatments - highlighting persistent unmet treatment needs.