Shift Manager

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