At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and implementation of innovative Variation Planning processes within a dynamic team.
- Company: Join GSK, a global biopharma leader dedicated to improving health worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values ambition, accountability, and doing the right thing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare by shaping processes that affect millions.
- Qualifications: Experience in Variation Planning and collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential.
The predicted salary is between 69750 - 85250 £ per year.
The Variation Planning Process Manager will provide specialist expertise to design, develop, and implement Variation Planning processes and supporting S/4HANA capabilities within the ERP Evolution Programme. The role is responsible for driving a harmonised, end-to-end process solution across Rx and Vx, supporting both interim and future-state operating models.
Working closely with cross-functional stakeholders, the role holder will contribute to the development of the Variation Planning process framework and S/4HANA solution blueprint, ensuring alignment with approved programme scope, business requirements, and deployment strategies. The position will play a key role in enabling successful implementation across planned deployment waves while supporting standardisation, operational efficiency, and sustainable process adoption across the network.
Key Responsibilities:
- Work in collaboration with other team members within the ERP Evolution programme, including PLM (Product Lifecycle Management), Planning, Quality, Regulatory, GBT (Global Batch Traceability), BRH (Batch Release Hub) and OMP (Order Management Planning) teams, to design and deliver a robust Variation Planning process and solution.
- Understand and articulate business requirements for Variation Planning, analyse design options and provide proposals and recommendations.
- Lead the design of the Variation Planning process in S/4, including integration with PLM, Veeva, RIMS and related reporting.
- Act as a key member of ERP Evolution and PLM / Planning workshops, ensuring Variation Planning nuances and requirements are discussed and captured in process and solution design.
- Work closely with the PLM & Technical teams within S4 to define and embed an end-to-end Variation Planning process across Rx and Vx.
- Ensure that the Variation Planning process design remains aligned with broader ERP Evolution architecture and dependencies.
- Define and maintain the Variation Planning process and system design, ensuring documentation of business processes, functional specifications, integrations, data requirements and reporting solutions.
- Lead or support the update of relevant ERP Evolution and PLM documentation to reflect Variation Planning design decisions.
- Define and create test scenarios and test scripts for Variation Planning across Informal Testing, UAT and DIL.
- Work closely with site planning teams and cluster functions to ensure Variation Planning process design is understood.
- Collaborate with Deployment teams and Global Process Owners to support the consistent implementation of Variation Planning processes and system designs across sites and programme waves.
Basic qualifications:
- Experience in Variation Planning processes, including pedigree management, and their interaction with Supply Chain, Planning, Quality, Regulatory and PLM functions.
- Experience managing API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) and bulk planning activities.
- Experience supporting regulatory change processes and assessing their impact on supply planning and product availability.
- Experience working on business transformation programmes, ideally involving SAP ECC and/or S/4HANA.
- Experience defining business requirements, process documentation, testing activities and process improvements.
- Experience facilitating workshops and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders.
- Experience managing multiple priorities and adapting to changing business and programme requirements.
- Experience translating business requirements into technical specifications.
This role follows GSK's hybrid working model, combining on-site collaboration with remote working flexibility.
Application Information:
Closing Date for Applications: 22 September 2026
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade.
GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.
Variation Planning Process Manager in London employer: GSK
GSK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of Stevenage. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to extensive development opportunities while working on groundbreaking medicine projects. The hybrid work model and future relocation to Cambridge provide a unique advantage, ensuring a vibrant environment for both personal and professional advancement.
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We think you need these skills to ace Variation Planning Process Manager in London
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 GSK!
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 GSK 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 GSK!
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 GSK, 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 GSK
✨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 GSK that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
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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 GSK’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.
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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.
