Director of Manufacturing

Director, Manufacturing

Are you a hands on manufacturing leader who thrives in a complex, plant based environment?

Do you enjoy solving technical problems while keeping safety, quality and output on track?

Are you ready to lead end to end manufacturing and materials management for a growing life science business?

Fraser Dove International is partnering exclusively with a leading active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing organisation. They are committed to supplying high quality, reliable APIs that help patients access safe and effective medicines.

Our client is seeking a strategic, hands on leader to own manufacturing and materials management operations while driving safety, compliance and productivity.

Discover more about our Director, Manufacturing opportunity; its objectives, duties and responsibilities and the skills, experience and competencies needed to succeed.

Your objectives:

As the Director, Manufacturing, you will be measured against the following objectives:

1. Ensure safe, compliant and efficient API manufacturing and warehousing operations that meet current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) standards and remain inspection ready at all times.
2. Deliver and improve key production and warehousing performance indicators, including schedule adherence, output and right first time, through strong daily management, problem solving and continuous improvement.
3. Build, lead and develop a high performing operations team that is engaged, accountable and ready for future growth.

What you will do:

As the Director, Manufacturing, your duties and responsibilities will include:

· Lead day to day production and warehousing activities so that plans are met in line with cGMP, company policies and regulatory requirements.

· Monitor production performance, analyse downtime and efficiency data, and lead troubleshooting of process and equipment issues to put in place simple and robust fixes.

· Partner with Engineering on maintenance programmes, planned shutdowns, new equipment selection and installation, and continuous improvement of plant reliability.

· Manage and control plant operating expenses, support capital investment planning and identify opportunities for automation and cost reduction.

· Promote and embed a culture of continuous improvement using Lean tools to remove waste, reduce complexity and improve safety, quality and delivery.

· Ensure full compliance with Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) and cGMP requirements, including support for audits and inspections, and oversight of deviations, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

· Lead, coach and develop a team of supervisors, specialists and project leaders through regular performance conversations, clear communication and structured development plans.

What you will bring:

These are the skills and experience you will need to succeed as the Director, Manufacturing:

· 10+ years of experience in an industrial chemical or active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production environment, including leadership of manufacturing teams.

· Strong knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and API manufacturing, ideally with exposure to requirements from major health authorities.

· Proven track record of leading safe, compliant and efficient operations, improving key performance indicators and solving complex technical problems on the shop floor.

· Experience using Lean, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) or similar continuous improvement methods to drive productivity and reduce cost.

· Strong people leadership skills with the ability to build engaged teams, lead change and collaborate effectively with cross functional partners.

· Bachelor degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, ideally with a background in organic synthesis.

· Excellent critical thinking, communication and organisation skills, with sound business acumen and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Got what it takes?

To apply for the Director, Manufacturing, click the 'Apply' button below or contact the Executive Search Consultant – [REECE WIGGINS] – on

Please Note:

· This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job related instructions and to perform any other job related duties requested by any person authorised to give instructions or assignments.

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Fraser Dove International is a specialist executive search firm operating exclusively in the life science industry. Passionate about people, we take pride in helping exceptional life science organisations source the talent they need to design, manufacture and distribute life changing drugs, treatments and devices which transform and save patient lives.