Director, Operations – Downstream Processing (DSP)

• Lead, develop and coach a multidisciplinary manufacturing team comprising process engineers, manufacturing specialists, shift team leads and biotechnologists.
• Oversee performance management, talent development, workforce planning, recruitment and employee relations within the DSP organization.
• Ensure the safe, compliant and efficient execution of DSP manufacturing operations in accordance with GMP, quality, customer and production requirements.
• Deliver manufacturing campaigns on schedule while meeting safety, quality and operational performance targets.
• Monitor performance indicators, resolve manufacturing issues and lead continuous-improvement initiatives across the production organization.
• Promote process standardization, innovation and the adoption of new technologies.
• Oversee resource and capacity planning, training strategy and operational-readiness activities.
• Provide strong cross-functional leadership and maintain effective collaboration with MSAT, Production Support, Quality Assurance, upstream-processing operations and other key stakeholders.
• Manage information flow and escalations to support timely, well-informed decision-making.
• Represent Manufacturing in customer meetings, audits and regulatory inspections.
• Maintain technical and quality oversight through the approval of change controls, risk assessments, workplace inspections and GMP documentation.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, sustainability and continuous improvement.
• Support capital-investment and facility-expansion projects as the manufacturing subject-matter expert, contributing to facility design, commissioning, qualification, automation and operational readiness.
• Act as deputy to the Head of Operations when required, ensuring leadership continuity and effective decision-making.

Job Description

• Lead, develop and coach a multidisciplinary manufacturing team comprising process engineers, manufacturing specialists, shift team leads and biotechnologists.
• Oversee performance management, talent development, workforce planning, recruitment and employee relations within the DSP organization.
• Ensure the safe, compliant and efficient execution of DSP manufacturing operations in accordance with GMP, quality, customer and production requirements.
• Deliver manufacturing campaigns on schedule while meeting safety, quality and operational performance targets.
• Monitor performance indicators, resolve manufacturing issues and lead continuous-improvement initiatives across the production organization.
• Promote process standardization, innovation and the adoption of new technologies.
• Oversee resource and capacity planning, training strategy and operational-readiness activities.
• Provide strong cross-functional leadership and maintain effective collaboration with MSAT, Production Support, Quality Assurance, upstream-processing operations and other key stakeholders.
• Manage information flow and escalations to support timely, well-informed decision-making.
• Represent Manufacturing in customer meetings, audits and regulatory inspections.
• Maintain technical and quality oversight through the approval of change controls, risk assessments, workplace inspections and GMP documentation.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, sustainability and continuous improvement.
• Support capital-investment and facility-expansion projects as the manufacturing subject-matter expert, contributing to facility design, commissioning, qualification, automation and operational readiness.
• Act as deputy to the Head of Operations when required, ensuring leadership continuity and effective decision-making.
• About The Customer

In this senior leadership role, you will oversee the operational activities of a DSP manufacturing unit and lead an interdisciplinary team of process engineers, manufacturing specialists, shift team leads and biotechnologists.

You will be accountable for the unit’s safety, quality, performance and on-time, in-full delivery.

As a member of the Manufacturing Leadership Team, you will play a key role in driving operational excellence, developing talent and ensuring the organization remains compliant, inspection-ready and equipped to meet its strategic objectives.

Requirements

• MSc or an equivalent degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biotechnology, bioengineering or a related discipline.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in biotechnological manufacturing, for example as a production biotechnologist or bioprocess engineer.
• Significant leadership experience within a GMP-regulated biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
• Fluency in both English and German.
• Strong understanding of DSP manufacturing operations, compliance requirements and operational-performance management.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams, developing employees and managing organizational change.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to align operational objectives with organizational strategy and identify financial and performance-improvement opportunities.
• Proven ability to build effective cross-functional partnerships, share knowledge and foster an inclusive working environment.
• Customer-focused approach with experience managing stakeholder relationships and using insights and data to drive improvement.
• Results-oriented mindset and a track record of delivering against KPIs, balancing competing priorities and securing stakeholder buy-in.
• High levels of accountability, integrity, adaptability and sound judgement.

Compensation Benefits

This is an opportunity to take on a highly visible leadership role within a complex biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

You will influence operational performance, team development and strategic site initiatives while contributing to the successful delivery of critical manufacturing programs.

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