At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead external sterile operations and manage key supplier partnerships in healthcare.
- Company: Join a leading partner company in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, flexible working, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment focused on innovation and meaningful contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global healthcare by ensuring access to high-quality medicines.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in sterile operations and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 61408 - 70089 £ per year.
This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Head of External Sterile Operations based in the United Kingdom. This leadership role is responsible for shaping the strategy, governance, and performance of an external sterile manufacturing network within a highly regulated healthcare environment. You will oversee critical supplier partnerships, ensuring reliable supply, operational excellence, and long‐term value creation across external manufacturing operations. The role combines strategic leadership, cross‐functional collaboration, and hands‐on relationship management with key external partners. You will guide teams, drive performance improvements, manage complex negotiations, and support business continuity across a global network. Working closely with Supply Chain, Quality, Technical Services, Procurement, and business leaders, you will influence how external operations are managed and optimized. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on healthcare delivery by ensuring patients have continued access to high-quality medicines.
Accountabilities:
- Lead and develop a team of External Operations Managers responsible for managing key third‐party manufacturing relationships.
- Define and execute the strategy, governance model, and performance expectations for external sterile manufacturing partners.
- Own senior‐level supplier relationship management across supply, quality, service, cost, compliance, and operational performance.
- Lead executive business reviews, governance meetings, and strategic discussions with external manufacturing partners.
- Drive major commercial, contractual, and capacity negotiations with external suppliers.
- Partner with Supply Chain and business leaders to align capacity planning, supply strategies, and network priorities.
- Manage major escalations related to supply disruptions, operational challenges, quality concerns, and performance risks.
- Build strong cross‐functional alignment across Quality, Technical Services, Procurement, Legal, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams.
- Establish standards, processes, and best practices for external operations governance and supplier management.
- Support product transfers, launches, lifecycle changes, and network optimization initiatives involving external manufacturers.
Requirements:
- The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in sterile operations, external manufacturing, and supplier management within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or similarly regulated environment.
- You should combine strategic thinking with strong operational execution skills and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
- 15+ years of experience in sterile operations, pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotech operations, or related regulated industries.
- Proven experience managing complex third‐party manufacturing or CDMO relationships.
- Strong background in external manufacturing, supplier relationship management, supply chain, technical operations, procurement, or quality functions.
- Demonstrated success leading cross‐functional teams within a matrix organization.
- Experience negotiating commercial agreements, contracts, capacity commitments, and strategic partnerships.
- Strong problem‐solving skills with experience managing supply disruptions, escalations, and operational risks.
- Experience developing supplier governance frameworks, performance scorecards, and risk management strategies.
- Previous people leadership experience, including managing managers or senior operational professionals.
- Knowledge of sterile manufacturing networks, sterile supply chains, and external production environments is highly preferred.
- Experience supporting product transfers, launches, lifecycle management, or manufacturing network changes is advantageous.
- Strong communication, influencing, and executive presentation skills.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary package aligned with experience and market expectations.
- Comprehensive benefits designed to support health, wellbeing, and financial security.
- Inclusive and collaborative working environment focused on innovation and meaningful impact.
- Opportunities for career growth, professional development, and leadership progression.
- Flexible working arrangements, including remote work options.
- Opportunity to contribute to global healthcare operations and improve access to essential medicines.
Head of External Sterile Operations in London employer: Jobgether
At Jobgether, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our remote working environment allows for flexibility while providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development in the tech industry. Join us to make a meaningful impact in enhancing open-source technology adoption, all while enjoying the benefits of a supportive team and a commitment to your career advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of External Sterile Operations in London
✨Unlock Networking Opportunities
Dive into industry-specific events like pharmaceutical conferences and seminars, where you can meet hiring managers from companies like Jobgether. These are goldmines for making connections and learning about job openings before they hit the mainstream job boards.
✨Join Relevant Professional Bodies
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 Jobgether.
✨Leverage Internships for Full-time Roles
If you can, consider pursuing internships in the pharmaceutical industry, especially with companies like Jobgether. 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 Jobgether is looking for. A tailored application can really make you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of External Sterile Operations 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 Jobgether!
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 Jobgether 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 Jobgether!
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 Jobgether, 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 Jobgether
✨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 Jobgether 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 Jobgether’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.
