Group Operations Director in Newcastle upon Tyne

Group Operations Director | Pharmaceutical Production

The Opportunity

Are you a visionary operational leader with the commercial acumen to drive a multi-site pharmaceutical manufacturing organization to new heights?

We are seeking a Group Operations Director to take full strategic and operational responsibility for our four lab-based production facilities. As a key member of the Board, you will bridge the gap between high-level strategy and shop-floor excellence, ensuring our production capabilities remain world-class while maintaining rigorous P&L discipline.

The Role

This is a high-impact position requiring a rare blend of technical pharmaceutical knowledge and sophisticated corporate leadership. You will be responsible for:

• Strategic Leadership: Serving as a vital member of the Board, contributing to the long-term scaling and commercial strategy of the group.
• Multi-Site Management: Providing unified leadership across four distinct lab-based production sites, ensuring consistency, safety, and quality across all locations.
• P&L & Commercial Oversight: Full accountability for the operations budget, driving cost-efficiencies, and maximizing ROI through smarter resource allocation.
• Operational Excellence: Embedding a culture of Lean and Continuous Improvement (CI) to optimize lab workflows, reduce waste, and increase throughput.
• Regulatory & Quality Compliance: Ensuring all production activities meet the highest pharmaceutical standards and regulatory requirements.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a heavyweight operator who thrives in high-stakes, regulated environments.

• Pharma Background: Proven experience within pharmaceutical manufacturing or lab-based production is highly preferred.
• Board-Level Experience: You are comfortable operating at the executive level, presenting to stakeholders, and managing complex P&L accounts.
• Lean Champion: A deep, practical understanding of Lean methodologies and CI frameworks with a track record of successful implementation.
• Leadership Gravitas: The ability to inspire diverse teams – from lab technicians to site managers – and lead through periods of change and growth.
• Strategic Mindset: You don’t just manage the \”now\”; you look 3–5 years ahead to anticipate market shifts and technological advancements.