Head of Production in Birmingham

Head of Manufacturing Operations

You will lead day‑to‑day manufacturing at a UK pharmaceutical site producing unlicensed, patient‑critical medicines. This role combines strategic oversight with hands‑on leadership, ensuring GMP excellence, operational efficiency, and uncompromising patient safety.

Key Accountabilities

• Manufacturing Governance: Embed GMP, data integrity, and SOP compliance as standard operating practice, maintaining a trained, inspection‑ready workforce.
• Production Delivery: Translate forecasts and patient‑specific demand into robust production plans, controlling material flow, segregation, and availability.
• Batch Execution: Ensure right‑first‑time batch delivery through approved documentation, accurate reconciliation, and rapid issue resolution.
• Facilities & Equipment: Partner with Engineering to maintain qualified, calibrated facilities with effective contamination control.
• Validation & Change: Lead validation activities, technology transfers, and process improvements under formal change control.
• Investigations & Improvement: Drive root cause investigations, implement effective CAPAs, and reduce deviations using Lean / Six Sigma approaches.
• People Leadership: Build and develop a high‑performing manufacturing team with a strong safety‑ and quality‑first culture.
• Audit Readiness: Act as manufacturing SME during inspections, maintaining constant audit readiness.
• GDP & Controlled Drugs: Support GDP and controlled drug compliance where applicable, working with the Responsible Person.
• Quality Partnership: Work in close partnership with Quality leadership to oversee compliance, documentation approval, supplier performance, batch review, and audits.

Experience & Credentials

• Degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Microbiology, Engineering, or related discipline.
• 7+ years’ experience in GMP pharmaceutical manufacturing, including 3–5 years in senior operational leadership.
• Proven delivery of production targets with improvements in yield, right‑first‑time performance, and deviation reduction.
• Strong background in investigations, CAPA, change control, and cross‑functional leadership.
• Experience in small‑batch or patient‑specific manufacturing is desirable.

Leadership Profile

• Decisive, composed, and patient‑focused under pressure.
• Deep technical credibility in GMP manufacturing operations.
• Structured, analytical, and data‑driven in decision making.
• Clear, influential communicator across all levels.
• A visible role model for compliance, integrity, and continuous improvement.