At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in developing and optimising veterinary drug formulations for commercial manufacture.
- Company: Global veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer with a strong R&D focus.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, healthcare support, generous leave, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Permanent onsite role with strong investment in facilities and people.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by bringing new veterinary medicines to market.
- Qualifications: Postgraduate degree and 5+ years in drug formulation development required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
A global veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer with a strong international footprint is expanding its R&D leadership team and is seeking an experienced Head of Late‑Stage Formulation. The organisation develops and manufactures veterinary medicines supplied to over 100 countries worldwide, with significant ongoing investment in R&D and a robust pipeline of new product launches. This role offers the opportunity to lead a critical function at the interface of development, scale‑up, and commercial manufacture.
As Head of Late‑Stage Formulation, you will be the technical authority for late‑stage formulation development, leading a specialist scientific team responsible for ensuring formulations are robust, scalable, and ready for commercial manufacture. You will play a key role in managing technical risk, applying Quality by Design (QbD) principles, and working cross‑functionally with Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and Manufacturing teams to support successful technology transfer.
Key Responsibilities- Lead and manage the Late‑Stage Formulation team, ensuring high technical and quality standards
- Develop and optimise veterinary drug product formulations in line with (V) ICH guidelines
- Transfer formulations from early development into late‑stage scale‑up and commercial manufacture
- Apply QbD principles to strengthen process understanding and lock down critical process parameters
- Collaborate cross‑functionally to support scale‑up, validation, and handover to manufacturing
- Oversee reverse engineering, product characterisation, and stability studies
- Provide technical input into patent and intellectual property strategy
- Author and review technical documentation to support global regulatory submissions (FDA, EMA, VICH/ICH, Ph. Eur., BP, USP)
- Drive continuous improvement within the formulation function
- Train, develop, and mentor scientific staff, maintaining strong technical capability and compliance
You are an experienced formulation scientist and people leader with a strong background in regulated pharmaceutical development. Essential experience includes:
- Postgraduate degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacy, or a related discipline
- 5+ years’ experience in drug product formulation development, scale‑up, and manufacture
- Strong working knowledge of GMP and global regulatory frameworks (FDA, EMA, VICH/ICH)
- Experience across a range of dosage forms within human or veterinary pharmaceuticals
- Proven experience leading and developing scientific teams
- Strong communication skills and a track record of effective cross‑functional collaboration
- Lead a high‑impact formulation function within a globally active pharmaceutical manufacturer
- Play a key role in bringing new veterinary medicines to market
- Long‑term career opportunity within a growing, R&D‑driven organisation
- Competitive benefits package including pension, healthcare support, and generous annual leave
- Permanent, site‑based role with strong investment in facilities and people
This role is based on a penicillin‑producing site and is not suitable for individuals with a penicillin allergy. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available).
Head of Late Stage Formulation in Portsmouth employer: Next Phase Recruitment
Join a leading global veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturer in Northern Ireland, where you will have the opportunity to lead a high-impact Late-Stage Formulation team dedicated to developing innovative veterinary medicines. With a strong commitment to R&D and employee development, the company offers a competitive benefits package, a collaborative work culture, and significant opportunities for career growth within a supportive environment focused on quality and compliance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Late Stage Formulation in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can get you in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. We want you to show genuine interest in their work, especially in veterinary medicines. Tailor your answers to reflect how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. We can’t stress enough how important it is to articulate your experience in drug formulation and team leadership clearly and confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Late Stage Formulation in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Late-Stage Formulation role. Highlight your experience in drug product formulation and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about veterinary pharmaceuticals and how your skills can contribute to our R&D team. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:Don’t forget to mention your knowledge of GMP and global regulatory frameworks. We’re looking for someone who can navigate these areas confidently, so make sure to highlight your experience with FDA, EMA, and ICH guidelines.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Next Phase Recruitment
✨Know Your Formulation Fundamentals
Brush up on your knowledge of late-stage formulation development and Quality by Design (QbD) principles. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these concepts in your previous roles, especially in relation to scale-up and commercial manufacture.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading scientific teams. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you motivated your team to achieve high technical and quality standards.
✨Understand Regulatory Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the global regulatory frameworks relevant to veterinary pharmaceuticals, such as FDA and EMA guidelines. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated these regulations in past projects, particularly in relation to technical documentation for submissions.
✨Cross-Functional Collaboration is Key
Think of instances where you've successfully collaborated with Operations, Quality, and Manufacturing teams. Be ready to share how you facilitated communication and problem-solving across functions to support technology transfer and continuous improvement.
