At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations at a cutting-edge pharmaceutical manufacturing site in Swindon.
- Company: Join Catalent, a global leader in drug development and delivery.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Drive innovation in life-saving products and lead a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in leadership roles within regulated environments required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Position Summary
Based on site in Swindon, United Kingdom (5 days a week).
The General Manager is responsible for leading all aspects of operations across Catalent’s flagship Zydis® manufacturing and development site in Swindon, UK, as well as oversight of a smaller affiliated manufacturing operation in Strathroy, Canada.
The role is accountable for site performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, customer satisfaction, and organizational culture while driving operational excellence and long-term business growth.
The Swindon site is a critical strategic manufacturing operation within Catalent’s Pharmaceuticals & Consumer Health (PCH) business and serves as the global center for Zydis® fast-dissolve technology development and manufacturing.
The site also supports pharmaceutical analytical laboratory services, stability testing, and regulatory support capabilities for global pharmaceutical customers.
The role reports directly to the Senior Vice President, Operations and carries significant visibility across the global network.
The Role
- Provide overall leadership and direction for all site operations, ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer requirements, and long-term growth strategy
- Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing leadership team across operations, supply chain, engineering, quality, EH&S, continuous improvement, and support functions
- Own full site performance including operational execution, productivity, planning, cost management, delivery, and financial performance
- Drive a culture of operational excellence, accountability, urgency, and continuous improvement across the organization
- Champion implementation of “The Catalent Way” and continuous improvement initiatives across both locations
- Identify opportunities for process optimization, automation, efficiency improvements, and operational scalability
- Ensure compliance with all corporate and regulatory requirements, including c GMP, MHRA, FDA, safety standards, and quality systems
- Serve as a key customer-facing leader, building strong relationships with global pharmaceutical partners and supporting customer launches, investments, and strategic growth initiatives
- Partner closely with commercial and technical teams to ensure operational readiness and successful customer delivery
- Lead organizational development, workforce planning, succession planning, and leadership capability building across the sites
- Establish and monitor key operational and financial performance metrics and provide regular business updates to senior leadership
- Support long-term capital planning, facility expansion, and manufacturing growth initiatives
- Other duties as assigned
- The Candidate
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Operations Management, Chemical Engineering, or related field required; advanced degree preferred
- 15+ years of leadership experience within pharmaceutical, healthcare, manufacturing, CDMO, or highly regulated operations environments
- Demonstrated success leading large-scale manufacturing operations and complex site organizations
- Proven track record of operational transformation, continuous improvement, and driving measurable business performance results
- Strong experience managing large P&Ls and operating within complex global matrix organizations
- Deep understanding of GMP/c GMP manufacturing environments and quality systems
- Experience leading customer-facing operations within highly regulated industries
- Strong business acumen with the ability to balance strategic thinking and hands-on operational execution
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams and drive cultural transformation
- Ability to operate effectively in a high-visibility, fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Ability to be onsite 5 days per week in Swindon, UK
- Leadership Profile
- Strong operational and financial acumen
- Proven large-scale manufacturing leadership capability
- High level of accountability, urgency, and execution focus
- Strong people leadership and organizational development capability
- Ability to drive culture, engagement, and performance simultaneously
- Collaborative leadership style with strong matrix management capability
- Customer-focused mindset with strong executive presence
- Continuous improvement and operational excellence orientation
- Why Join Catalent
Catalent is a global leader in drug development and delivery supporting thousands of life-enhancing and life-saving products annually.
The Zydis® platform represents one of the company’s most differentiated and strategically important manufacturing franchises, with significant customer visibility, ongoing investment, and strong long-term growth potential.
This role offers the opportunity to lead a highly visible global manufacturing operation with meaningful scale, operational complexity, and strategic importance within the organization.
Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career!
Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life-saving and life-enhancing products to patients around the world.
Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market.
Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us.
Join us in making a difference.
personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work.
Visit
Catalent Careers to explore career opportunities.
Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any characteristic protected by local law.
If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email, and confirming your request for an accommodation and include the job number, title and location to
Disability Accommodations@catalent. com .
This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability.
Information received will be processed by a U.
Catalent employee and then routed to a local recruiter who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the application or hiring process.
- Notice to Agency and
- Search
- Firm
Representatives: Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent) is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting.
Resumes submitted to any Catalent employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Catalent.
No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral.
Thank you.
General Manager, Zydis in Swindon employer: Catalent
Catalent in Swindon is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where safety, quality, and performance are paramount. With a strong focus on employee development and competitive benefits, including bonuses and career advancement opportunities, Catalent fosters a culture of excellence and teamwork that empowers its staff to thrive in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager, Zydis in Swindon
✨Unlock Networking Opportunities
Dive into industry-specific events like pharmaceutical conferences and seminars, where you can meet hiring managers from companies like Catalent. These are goldmines for making connections and learning about job openings before they hit the mainstream job boards.
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Get involved with organisations such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society or your local pharmaceutical professionals' network. Being an active member can boost your credibility and may even lead to job referrals in top organisations like Catalent.
✨Leverage Internships for Full-time Roles
If you can, consider pursuing internships in the pharmaceutical industry, especially with companies like Catalent. These opportunities often pave the way for full-time positions and allow you to demonstrate your capabilities firsthand.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When you're applying for roles, don't rush it! Take the time to customise your applications for specific positions, showcasing relevant skills and experiences that align with what Catalent is looking for. A tailored application can really make you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager, Zydis in Swindon
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 Catalent!
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 Catalent 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 Catalent!
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 Catalent, 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 Catalent
✨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 Catalent 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 Catalent’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.
