Director, External Manufacturing

Kardigan is seeking a strategic, results-oriented Director, External Manufacturing to lead our external supply network from our headquarters in South San Francisco, San Mateo County. In this full-time, on-site leadership role, you will shape how a pioneering heart health company brings cardiovascular therapies from concept to patients.

About the Role

As Director, External Manufacturing at Kardigan, you will own the relationships, strategy, and performance of our contract manufacturing partners. This position is central to ensuring that the targeted cardiovascular treatments Kardigan develops are produced reliably, at quality, and at the scale our mission demands. The role is based in South San Francisco and is not remote.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and manage partnerships with external manufacturing organizations and contract suppliers.
• Direct the planning, oversight, and execution of outsourced production activities across the supply network.
• Establish quality, cost, and delivery standards while monitoring partner performance against them.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with quality, supply chain, regulatory, and development teams to keep programs on track.
• Anticipate and resolve supply risks to support the uninterrupted advancement of Kardigan's therapeutic pipeline.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in external or contract manufacturing, ideally within pharmaceuticals, biotech, or a related life sciences field.
• Strong command of outsourced production operations, supplier management, and quality systems.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate, structure, and govern complex manufacturing partnerships.
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.
• Willingness to work on-site in South San Francisco, San Mateo County.

About Kardigan

Kardigan is a heart health company on a mission to make cardiovascular disease preventable and curable, so it is no longer the world's leading cause of death. Founded under the leadership of Tassos Gianakakos, Jay Edelberg, M.D., Ph.D., and Bob McDowell, Ph.D., Kardigan pursues multiple targeted treatments in parallel to deliver the cures that people living with cardiovascular conditions deserve.

How to Apply

Ready to advance heart health from South San Francisco? Submit your application for the Director, External Manufacturing role at Kardigan through our official listing.