Overview
Our client is a growing pharmaceutical manufacturer seeking a Shift Manager to oversee aseptic manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for leading day-to-day production activities, ensuring GMP compliance, delivering production targets, and driving a high-performing, safety-first culture within a sterile manufacturing environment.
You will lead a team of operators and technicians across multiple manufacturing areas, ensuring efficient execution of production plans, rapid issue resolution, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
EHS Leadership
- Ensure full compliance with Environmental, Health & Safety standards and regulations
- Promote a proactive safety culture through risk management and awareness initiatives
Quality & Compliance
- Maintain GMP standards and ensure audit readiness across all operations
- Oversee quality processes, ensuring products meet required specifications
- Drive timely closure of CAPAs, deviations, training and change controls
- Partner closely with Quality teams to support continuous improvement
Production Performance
- Deliver production plans on time and in full
- Ensure availability of trained personnel, equipment and materials
- Maximise efficiency, minimise downtime and reduce waste
Operational Excellence
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and operational excellence principles
- Establish and track KPIs across manufacturing and team performance
- Align team objectives with wider business strategy
People Leadership
- Lead, coach and develop Team Leaders and Operators (team size 10+)
- Drive engagement, accountability and high performance
- Manage performance, development plans and employee relations
- Foster a collaborative and positive working environment
Cost & Supply Management
- Monitor operational costs and identify efficiencies without compromising quality
- Partner with Supply Chain to ensure continuity of materials and production
- Proactively resolve supply or production risks impacting delivery
Candidate Profile
Essential
- Significant experience within pharmaceutical manufacturing, ideally in aseptic/sterile environments
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams of 10+
- Strong knowledge of GMP, QMS, CAPA, RCA and regulatory inspections
- Proven ability to deliver against production targets and deadlines
- Experience driving continuous improvement and operational efficiency
Preferred
- Experience within biopharmaceutical or aseptic manufacturing environments
- Exposure to freeze-drying (lyophilisation)
- Financial/budget management experience
- Degree in a science or engineering discipline
Languages
- Fluent English (written and spoken)
- French advantageous
Core Competencies
- Execution Excellence: Clear planning, accountability and delivery against KPIs
- Patient & Customer Focus: Keeps patient impact central to decision-making
- Business Insight: Data-driven decision making with strong commercial awareness
- Strategic Mindset: Able to translate vision into actionable plans
- Managing Complexity: Comfortable operating in fast-paced, multi-variable environments