Head of Manufacturing

We are a specialty vaccine company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes prophylactic vaccines for infectious diseases addressing unmet medical needs. We have leveraged our expertise and capabilities both to commercialize three vaccines, including the world’s first and only chikungunya vaccine, and to rapidly advance a broad range of vaccine candidates into and through the clinic, including candidates against Lyme disease and Zika. With operations in Austria, Canada, France, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., we are committed to making a positive impact on global public health. Together, we are a global Company which is open to people of all backgrounds. Our diverse and inclusive workforce makes Valneva a great place to work.

Our Manufacturing team have a fantastic new opportunity to join the team here in Livingston. The role involves coordinating the execution of manufacturing steps in accordance with defined procedures and protocols, adhering to cGMP work practices and quality standards. This position is dedicated to managing production and resources while ensuring effective managerial control of all production activities. Key responsibilities include:

• Planning and coordinating manufacturing activities as well as collaborating with support functions to optimise operations.
• Managing employee experience and retention as key KPIs.
• Conducting detailed root cause analysis to drive sustainable changes and improvements.
• Attending key site governance meetings and leading on occasion to ensure alignment with the company strategy.
• Managing the interface between the Manufacturing Team and a team of highly experienced Development and Manufacture Scientists to optimise commercial product manufacturing.

Requirements:

• Production Planning and Coordination: Plan, coordinate, and manage production schedules to ensure timely delivery of products that meet quality and cost objectives.
• Compliance Oversight: Ensure all production steps defined by SOPs, production records, and protocols are executed in compliance with cGMP standards.
• Best Practices Implementation: Oversee the application of best cGMP practices and techniques to ensure products are produced within specifications.
• Staff Training and Competence: Ensure all production staff are adequately trained and competent in their procedures.
• Training Development: Develop and implement a training plan to enhance the skills of current production personnel.
• Key Metrics Management: Be responsible for the development, collection, and reporting of key quality and business metrics.
• Deviation Management: Ensure that any deviations, change controls, or CAPAs are escalated and addressed promptly.
• Work Environment Maintenance: Liaise with manufacturing staff to maintain cleanliness and organisation in all production areas.
• Safety Compliance: Conduct all activities safely and in full compliance with HSE requirements.
• Team Environment: Actively contribute to creating and maintaining an enthusiastic, supportive, and collaborative team environment.
• Leadership Duties: Deputise for the line manager, if needed, and undertake additional duties as requested.
• Project Management: Effectively manage assigned projects and sub-project workstreams.
• Team Management: Manage a team of experienced operatives and supervisors.
• Process Development and Improvement: Identify improvement projects focusing on enhancing process robustness, yield, and cost-effectiveness.
• Regulatory Preparedness: Support regulatory submissions and ensure departmental readiness for associated audits.
• Continuous Improvement Strategy: Define and implement a continuous improvement strategy aligned with the long-term strategic goals of the organisation.
• Lean Six Sigma Projects: Use Lean Six Sigma methodology to identify, manage, and deliver key improvement projects.
• Change Management: Ensure effective implementation of change management techniques and procedures.
• Risk Consideration: Assess risks and ensure alignment with organisational strategy in all projects.
• Project Planning: Generate project plans that identify commercial considerations, impacts, milestones for delivery, and associated business benefits.
• Quality Management System: Manage and track the timely delivery of department-owned Quality Management System actions and documentation.
• Escalation of Compliance Issues: Escalate deviations to compliance through appropriate Quality Management Systems.
• Training Standards Maintenance: Ensure departmental training standards are consistently maintained.
• Safety and Quality Advocacy: Promote and act as an ambassador for safety and quality excellence across teams.
• Knowledge Sharing Culture: Foster a culture of knowledge sharing within teams.
• Leadership Excellence: Lead by example in maintaining a collaborative environment across the team and sites.
• Flexibility and Additional Duties: Be prepared for shift work and out-of-hours responsibilities as required.
• Budget Management: Effectively manage all budgets associated with the Manufacturing Department.

Benefits include Stock Options, Employee Assistance Programme, Gym membership OR fitness allowance, EV Salary Sacrifice, and many others.