At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations in a fast-paced pharmaceutical manufacturing environment, driving excellence and innovation.
- Company: Rapidly growing pharmaceutical manufacturer with a strong reputation for quality and customer partnership.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, and benefits package with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on operational performance and contribute to ambitious growth plans.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in pharmaceutical manufacturing with proven leadership in GMP-regulated environments.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester, UK
Sector: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Type: Full-Time | Permanent
Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Benefits
Company Overview
Our client is a rapidly growing pharmaceutical manufacturing organisation based in Manchester, specialising in the development and commercial manufacture of complex oral solid dose and speciality pharmaceutical products. With a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and customer partnership, the business supports a diverse portfolio of branded and generic medicines supplied across the UK and international markets. As part of continued investment and expansion, they are seeking an experienced Head of Operations to lead site-wide manufacturing and operational excellence initiatives, ensuring the highest standards of safety, quality, and productivity while supporting ambitious growth plans.
The Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Head of Operations will hold overall responsibility for Manufacturing, Production Planning, Engineering, Warehousing, and Operational Excellence across the Manchester site. This is a highly visible leadership position requiring a strategic yet hands-on operator capable of driving operational performance, developing high-performing teams, and ensuring GMP excellence across a fast-paced pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in scaling manufacturing capacity, embedding Lean principles, and shaping the long-term operational strategy of the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Site Operations Leadership
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across Manufacturing, Packaging, Engineering, Supply Chain and Warehousing.
- Own day-to-day site operations, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing activities.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-disciplinary operations team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Act as a key member of the Site Leadership Team, contributing to wider business strategy and growth initiatives.
- Manufacturing Excellence
- Drive improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), throughput, labour productivity and schedule adherence.
- Develop and implement operational strategies to increase manufacturing capacity whilst maintaining GMP compliance.
- Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, optimise workflows and improve right-first-time performance.
- Ensure robust production planning and resource allocation to meet customer demand and business objectives.
- Quality & Compliance
- Partner closely with Quality and Regulatory teams to maintain full compliance with GMP, MHRA and international regulatory standards.
- Ensure manufacturing operations are inspection-ready at all times.
- Lead investigations into deviations, CAPAs and operational quality issues, implementing sustainable corrective actions.
- Promote a quality-first culture throughout all operational areas.
- Engineering & Capital Projects
- Oversee engineering, maintenance and facility performance to maximise equipment uptime and reliability.
- Support capital investment projects, including equipment upgrades, facility expansion and automation initiatives.
- Develop long-term site capacity and operational improvement roadmaps.
- Financial & Commercial Responsibility
- Manage operational budgets and identify opportunities for cost optimisation without compromising quality or compliance.
- Monitor and report key operational KPIs including: OEE, Batch Right First Time, On-Time In-Full (OTIF), Schedule Adherence, Labour Productivity, Cost per Batch, Deviation Rates.
Candidate Profile
Essential Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry or related discipline.
- 10+ years' experience within pharmaceutical manufacturing environments.
- Proven leadership experience managing Manufacturing and Operations teams within GMP-regulated facilities.
- Strong understanding of oral solid dose, sterile, liquids or speciality pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Demonstrated success driving operational improvements and Lean manufacturing initiatives.
- Experience leading cross-functional teams including Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain and Quality.
- Strong knowledge of: GMP, MHRA regulations, CAPA systems, Deviation management, Root cause analysis, Continuous improvement methodologies.
Highly Desirable
- Experience within a Contract Development & Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) or fast-growth pharmaceutical business.
- Lean Six Sigma qualification.
- Experience supporting site expansions, facility upgrades or new manufacturing line introductions.
- Exposure to automation and digital manufacturing systems.
- Track record of improving: OEE by 10–20%+, Batch Right First Time by 15%+, Manufacturing throughput by 20%+, Operational costs by 5–10%+
Head of Operations in Warrington employer: Barrington James
As a rapidly growing pharmaceutical manufacturing organisation in Manchester, we pride ourselves on our commitment to quality, innovation, and employee development. Our collaborative work culture fosters continuous improvement and accountability, providing ample opportunities for professional growth while ensuring a safe and compliant environment. Join us to lead operational excellence initiatives and be part of a team that is shaping the future of healthcare.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations in Warrington
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations in Warrington
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 Barrington James!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show Barrington James that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at Barrington James!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At Barrington James, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Barrington James
✨Understand the Science
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 Barrington James that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
Take some time to familiarise yourself with Barrington James’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios
In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
