At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead analytical operations across two sites, ensuring compliance and driving performance.
- Company: Join Almac Pharma Services, a leader in quality medicine development.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive environment with career progression and development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborate with senior leaders and contribute to strategic projects.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global health by ensuring the quality of medicines.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership and analytical experience in a regulated environment required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
Location: Craigavon, Northern Ireland & Dundalk, Republic of Ireland
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday – Friday.
Business Unit: Almac Pharma Services
Open To: Internal and external applicants welcome to apply.
Ref No.: HRJOB11637
The Opportunity: Analytical Operations at Almac Pharma Services plays a critical role in ensuring the quality, safety and effectiveness of medicines for patients worldwide. Across our laboratories in Craigavon and Dundalk, our teams provide high‑quality analytical testing and services that support drug product development, manufacturing, packaging and product release. Due to continued growth, we are now seeking a Director of Analytical Operations to provide strategic leadership across both sites, ensuring that our analytical capabilities, infrastructure and teams are fully aligned to the evolving needs of the business and our clients.
This is a senior leadership role where you will be responsible for the performance, compliance and continuous development of analytical operations (Quality Control and Analytical Services). You will ensure that laboratories operate efficiently, safely and in full compliance with regulatory standards, while also supporting operational delivery and driving improvements in performance and capability. As a key member of the Pharma Services senior management team, you will help shape the strategic direction of the analytical function, leading initiatives that support growth, operational excellence and innovation. You will also play a visible role internally and externally, representing Almac in client interactions and contributing to business development activities.
This opportunity would suit a strong, forward‑thinking leader with deep analytical and operational experience who thrives in a fast‑paced, regulated environment and is passionate about developing high‑performing teams.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leading Analytical Operations across Craigavon and Dundalk sites.
- Ensuring laboratories operate in compliance with regulatory and licensing requirements.
- Driving performance against operational, financial and quality targets.
- Leading strategic planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Supporting client relationships and business development activities.
- Managing analytical capacity, resources and investment aligned to business growth.
- Providing visible leadership and fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence and learning.
- Supporting global alignment and a ‘one team’ approach across analytical functions.
What You Need to Be Successful:
To succeed in this role, you will bring significant leadership experience within an analytical or laboratory environment, along with strong operational and strategic capability. You will be confident in leading teams across locations, driving performance and influencing stakeholders, while maintaining a strong focus on quality and compliance.
Required Criteria:
- A degree in an analytical or chemistry‑related discipline.
- Significant experience operating at a senior level within an analytical or laboratory function.
- Strong leadership experience, managing multi‑site or large‑scale teams.
- Experience managing budgets, resources and capital investment.
- Experience working in a regulated environment (e.g. GMP or GLP).
- A proven track record of driving operational excellence and continuous improvement.
Desirable Criteria:
- A postgraduate qualification in a related discipline.
- Experience supporting pharmaceutical development through commercial supply.
- Experience working within a CDMO environment or similar client‑facing setting.
Further Information:
The role reports to the VP of Analytical Operations and has responsibility for Analytical Operations teams across both the Craigavon and Dundalk sites. The role will involve regular interaction with senior leadership, cross‑functional collaboration, and participation in client meetings and strategic projects. Occasional travel between sites will be required.
Benefits:
Joining Almac means becoming part of a fast‑paced, growing organisation within a highly regulated industry. We offer a supportive and collaborative working environment, with excellent opportunities for learning, development and long‑term career progression across the Almac Group. Our approach is simple – we support, develop and reward our people, build fulfilling careers and together we advance human health.
Director of Analytical Operations in Craigavon employer: Almac Group
Almac Pharma Services is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment in Craigavon and Dundalk. With a strong focus on employee development and career progression, we empower our teams to excel in their roles while contributing to the advancement of human health. Our commitment to operational excellence and innovation ensures that you will be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values collaboration and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.
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We think this is how you could land Director of Analytical Operations in Craigavon
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We think you need these skills to ace Director of Analytical Operations in Craigavon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at Almac Group!
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Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at Almac Group that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
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