Senior Director, Manufacturing Strategy

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL

Apply on AbbVie ↗

Level: Director+
Team: Manufacturing
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 15+ years
Industry: Pharma & life sciences
Posted: Yesterday

The role in 30 seconds

A director-level manufacturing role at AbbVie (pharma & life sciences) in North Chicago, IL.

They ask for: 15+ years · degree required
Tools it names: FDA / GMP

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Manufacturing Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $96k–$155k.

Median of the low and high ends of 18 live postings that list pay, out of 34 manufacturing engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 33 other live manufacturing postings in Illinois.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: More than usual (15+ vs 5+)

Skills these teams ask for most

Root cause 59%
Automation 53%
Lean 50%
New product launch 32%
Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 32%
Cost reduction 26%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for FDA / GMP, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 15+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at AbbVie
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: AbbVie in North Chicago

5 other open roles at this site.

Production Specialist I · Production · Specialist
Lead AI Automation Engineer · Controls · Manager
Associate Director, Midwest Project Engineering · Manufacturing · Director+
Senior Director Process Engineering Peptides API (Hybrid, IL) · Process · Director+
Global Process Engineer (Aseptic) · Process

Full description from AbbVieAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

◆Develop and execute global manufacturing strategies across all ME&C sites to support business objectives and growth initiatives.
◆Collaborate with senior leadership, operations, quality, supply chain, and engineering teams to ensure integrated global manufacturing plans.
◆Manage the ME&C site selection and make buy processes
◆Establish goals, metrics, and KPIs to monitor progress and ensure successful implementation of strategic projects.
◆Stay updated on industry trends and regulatory

requirements

to maintain competitive advantage and compliance.

✓Manage the ME&C LRP processes for the SVP of Manufacturing, ensuring robust plans, assumptions and financials are established for success of ME&C
✓Partner with the 5 regional Strategy Directors, establishing standards and alignment with overall ME&C strategy
✓Evaluate contingency plans and risk management strategies.
✓In collaboration with the finance teams, develop appropriate tools, performance indicators and decks that enable monitoring and control of financial performances at senior leadership level.
✓Partnering with Regional ME&C Vice presidents and Site Heads to develop and implement regional initiatives to achieve network objectives
✓Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Science or Engineering. MBA is preferred.
✓Strong technical knowledge and operational experience in GMP manufacturing, Quality operations, CMC development and pharmaceutical regulations is required. Direct Pharma/Biologics experience highly preferred.
✓Significant experience (15+ years) in manufacturing operations, strategy, or related leadership roles.
✓Proven track record of developing and implementing manufacturing strategies.
✓Demonstrated strong planning and project management skills while managing large, complex programs in the pharmaceutical industry.
✓Strong strategic thinking and leadership skills.
✓Strong communication, organization, analytical, presentation, and people skills.
✓Demonstrated experience in a global and multi-cultural environment.
✓Proven ability to resolve conflict across cross-functional teams and technical experts.
✓Ability to understand technical aspects of complex systems and guide cross-functional and detailed technical discussions during critical problem-solving exercises.

Show full description ↓

Purpose

The Senior Director, Manufacturing Strategy plays a pivotal role in shaping the long-term direction of the organization's global manufacturing operations across the entire ME&C network. This leader is responsible for envisioning and executing strategies that maximize operational effectiveness, foster innovation, and ensure alignment with ME&C, Operations and AbbVie goals.

The Senior Director, Manufacturing Strategy will lead a group of professionals responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives to optimize manufacturing operations, drive efficiency, and support business growth.