Validation Specialist - Pharmaceutical / GMP / Medical Cannabis
Validation Specialist - Pharmaceutical / GMP / Medical Cannabis

Validation Specialist - Pharmaceutical / GMP / Medical Cannabis

Scotland Full-Time 28000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Validate GMP production facilities for medical cannabis, ensuring compliance with EU standards.
  • Company: Join the only Scottish medical cannabis pharmaceutical company with EU GMP certifications and domestic cultivation licenses.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work options, pension, and free on-site parking.
  • Why this job: Be part of a pioneering team shaping the future of medical cannabis access in the UK.
  • Qualifications: Must have 2+ years in validation within GMP-regulated pharmaceuticals or medical cannabis.
  • Other info: Ideal for hands-on individuals ready to thrive in a dynamic startup environment.

The predicted salary is between 28000 - 42000 £ per year.

Location: Dumfries & Galloway, Langholm, Scotland DG13 (Hybrid: 4 days on-site, 1 day remote)

Please only apply if you have experience with GMP in a Pharmaceutical company.

Company Overview

Founded in 2019, with 12 employees, my client is the only Scottish & UK-based medical cannabis pharmaceutical company that holds both EU GMP certifications and licenses to cultivate medical cannabis domestically in the UK, whilst also holding the licences to import and distribute medical cannabis. Over the past four years, they’ve built a brand-new, EU GMP-certified medical cannabis production facility in Scotland — including a large-scale, high-tech greenhouse. With all infrastructure and approvals now in place, they’re preparing to launch their first in-house cultivated and manufactured medical cannabis medicines into the UK market.

Since 2020, the business has taken a dual-track approach: building out its domestic cultivation and medical cannabis pharmaceutical production capabilities—including hiring a top-tier team, establishing R&D operations, implementing SOPs, and securing full Home Office and MHRA approvals—while simultaneously running an active medical cannabis importation and distribution operation. For the past two years, they’ve been importing EU GMP medical cannabis medicines from global partners and supplying to the UK market for patients. This hybrid model ensures they can provide UK patients access to both internationally sourced and soon, UK-grown medical cannabis medicines.

Job Summary

With an experienced and senior Quality team of three already in place — including both an RP and a QP— they are now looking for a dedicated Validation Specialist to help them validate their GMP production facility, to enable internal manufacturing and production of medical cannabis. This is a critical role for a Validation Specialist with strong experience working in GMP-regulated pharmaceutical environments.

You will be responsible for planning, executing, and documenting validation activities for the company’s new medical cannabis production facility and cleanrooms. This includes facility, software, equipment, and process validation, all in compliance with EU GMP standards. You'll work alongside the existing Quality team (including a QP and RP) to ensure all new production areas are fully qualified & validated for medical cannabis manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct, develop, and execute validation protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ) for cleanrooms, equipment, utilities, and systems.
  • Ensure all validation activities are aligned with EU GMP and regulatory requirements.
  • Draft and maintain Validation Master Plans, reports, and validation documentation.
  • Conduct risk assessments to determine appropriate validation strategies.
  • Support the commissioning and qualification of new production areas.
  • Collaborate closely with Quality, Engineering, and Production teams.
  • Provide training and guidance to operational teams on validation requirements.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to qualification and validation processes.
  • Capable of supporting general GMP and QMS activities.
  • Help upskill the team.
  • Review and define the supporting SOPs and procedures.
  • Review and define FATs and SATs.

Qualifications & Experience

You must have proven experience in a validation-focused role in Pharmaceuticals / Medical Cannabis / Biotech in a GMP environment with at least 2 years’ experience. You must have strong knowledge of GMP and be confident when it comes to Validation. An analytical mindset with strong attention to detail, with a growth mindset. Effective communicator with excellent collaboration skills. Comfortable working in a small startup, where you must be extremely hands on, and roll up your sleeves. We are looking for people who are happy to wear multiple hats. Bonus Points for experience with QA activities and managing a QMS system. Bonus points for experience with GDP.

Compensation & Benefits

£35,000–£50,000 base depending on experience (Potential flexibility for Validation superstars). 1-day WFH. Company pension (All Legal UK Benefits). Free on-site parking. Be part of a pioneering UK company shaping the future of medical cannabis access.

How to Apply

If you are interested and would like more information then please apply through this site or email me at.

Validation Specialist - Pharmaceutical / GMP / Medical Cannabis employer: Lumino

As a pioneering medical cannabis pharmaceutical company based in Dumfries & Galloway, we offer a unique opportunity for Validation Specialists to join a dedicated team in a rapidly growing industry. Our hybrid work model promotes a healthy work-life balance, while our commitment to employee development ensures that you will have ample opportunities for growth and learning in a supportive environment. With competitive compensation, a company pension, and the chance to be part of a transformative journey in medical cannabis access, we are an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
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Contact Detail:

Lumino Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Validation Specialist - Pharmaceutical / GMP / Medical Cannabis

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific EU GMP regulations and guidelines relevant to the medical cannabis industry. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to understanding the unique challenges of this sector.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the pharmaceutical and medical cannabis fields. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even refer you to opportunities within companies like ours.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your hands-on experience in validation processes during interviews. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully executed validation protocols in previous roles, as this will highlight your practical skills and fit for our team.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your adaptability and willingness to take on multiple roles in a startup environment. Highlight any past experiences where you've had to wear different hats, as this aligns with our company culture and the dynamic nature of the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Validation Specialist - Pharmaceutical / GMP / Medical Cannabis

GMP Compliance
Validation Protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ)
Risk Assessment
Validation Master Plans
Documentation Skills
Attention to Detail
Analytical Skills
Collaboration Skills
Training and Guidance
Continuous Improvement
Cleanroom Validation
Equipment Qualification
Process Validation
Software Validation
Quality Management Systems (QMS)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in GMP environments, particularly in the pharmaceutical or medical cannabis sectors. Use specific examples of validation activities you've conducted to demonstrate your expertise.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the medical cannabis industry and explain why you want to work with this particular company. Mention how your skills align with their needs, especially in relation to validation protocols and compliance with EU GMP standards.

Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on roles where you were involved in validation processes, risk assessments, and collaboration with quality teams. Be specific about your contributions and the outcomes of your efforts.

Showcase Soft Skills: Since the role requires effective communication and collaboration, include examples that demonstrate your ability to work well in teams, especially in a startup environment. Highlight any experience you have in training or guiding others on validation requirements.

How to prepare for a job interview at Lumino

✨Showcase Your GMP Knowledge

Make sure to highlight your experience with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've implemented or adhered to GMP standards in previous roles, especially in pharmaceutical or medical cannabis environments.

✨Demonstrate Your Validation Skills

Since the role focuses heavily on validation, be ready to explain your experience with validation protocols such as IQ/OQ/PQ. Discuss any relevant projects where you planned, executed, and documented validation activities, and how you ensured compliance with EU GMP standards.

✨Emphasise Collaboration

This position requires working closely with various teams. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with Quality, Engineering, and Production teams in the past. Highlight your communication skills and ability to provide training and guidance to operational teams.

✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions

Expect questions that assess your analytical mindset and attention to detail. Prepare to discuss how you've approached risk assessments and developed validation strategies in previous roles. Show that you're proactive and can contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Validation Specialist - Pharmaceutical / GMP / Medical Cannabis
Lumino
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  • Validation Specialist - Pharmaceutical / GMP / Medical Cannabis

    Scotland
    Full-Time
    28000 - 42000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-06-15

  • L

    Lumino

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