Technical Operations Manager

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Job Introduction

We are looking for:

We are seeking a Technical Operations Manager to lead and provide expert support for manufacturing processes. This role is pivotal in ensuring on-time, high-quality, and compliant execution of production activities. You will drive the transfer of new processes to the plant, manage continuous improvement initiatives, and provide leadership to a team of process chemists.

This position demands a combination of technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and a commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.

At Pharmaron we offer:

• Vibrant and dynamic employment - we are a highly specialised, growth company operating in a critical sector of the economy - our future is strong and exciting!
• Opportunities to develop your skills and yourself - our rapid growth brings greater opportunities for you to learn and grow faster!
• A great team where we all support each other - enjoy your work - after all you spend about a third of your time here!

Requirements:

We are looking for a proactive and experienced individual with a strong technical background and leadership skills.

• BSc in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Technology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, or equivalent scientific degree.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in GMP manufacturing, process support, or QA/QC roles.
• Deep understanding of process chemistry, scale-up, and regulatory requirements.
• Proven leadership and people management skills.
• Strong knowledge of process validation, operational excellence, and troubleshooting.
• Advanced knowledge of chemical engineering fundamentals and process optimization.
• Experience with technology transfer and continuous improvement methodologies.

Key roles and responsibilities:

Safety and Compliance: Ensure all project activities adhere to health, safety, and environmental standards. Participate in safety reviews (e.g., HAZOPs, PSAR, COSHH) and contribute to the investigation of EHS events.

Quality Assurance: Maintain compliance with GMP standards, oversee change control processes, and resolve quality issues through root-cause analysis and CAPAs. Lead process validation and maintain inspection readiness.

Process Management: Act as the process owner for transferring and scaling up new processes, including generating technical transfer documents, supporting validation batches, and ongoing production. Ensure critical parameters are adhered to and provide temporary instructions when necessary.

Continuous Improvement: Monitor and evaluate process performance, identify improvement opportunities, and support the introduction of new technologies.

Leadership and Training: Manage a team of process chemists, provide mentorship, and oversee training for team members and operations staff on new processes.

Collaboration: Work cross-functionally with operations, engineering, quality, safety, and commercial teams to meet business objectives.

Project Management:

• Develop and manage comprehensive project plans, ensuring all activities are monitored, updated, and delivered on schedule.
• Lead cross-functional meetings to plan and manage project delivery.
• Maintain active involvement in daily management processes to monitor project progress.
• Escalate issues to senior leadership when necessary and recommend actions to recover project timelines.

Customer Coordination:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers, providing regular updates and addressing concerns.
• Manage change orders for scope changes, ensuring alignment with customer needs.

Risk Management:

• Create a project risk register and implement strategies to mitigate potential impacts on time, cost, or quality.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Work collaboratively with internal departments, ensuring alignment on project objectives and timelines.
• Influence and lead cross-functional teams, leveraging their expertise to achieve project goals.

Our Company:

"We are a dynamic, fast-growing company, with an enviable reputation for leading edge science, offering contract research services to some of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, solving what were believed to be unsolvable scientific challenges".

We believe in our ability to relentlessly push forward the boundaries of scientific excellence, delivering solutions for our clients, always operating ethically and with integrity. We take pride in our professionalism and commitment to always deliver our very best work.

Our Cramlington site, just north of Newcastle, has an established history of cGMP

manufacturing services for an array of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), ranging from pilot scale to commercial metric ton scale. The Cramlington Site has more than 100 cubic meters reactor commercial capacity and has been inspected and approved by the MHRA, FDA and other regulatory authorities. The site operates from small scale in the laboratory through to large manufacturing scale. It also offers chemistry and analytical development service.

• We offer a competitive salary and a progressive and comprehensive suite of employee benefits.
• We offer state of the art working environment on site.
• We offer the opportunity for growth and development and will support funding for relevant training and development programmes.

Why Should You Apply?

• This is an opportunity for you as a Technical Operations Manager tomake a real impact in a highly scientific and regulated environment, demonstrate leadership, ambition and the desire to grow with the department.
• Build and shape your career in an environment that sets and commits to the highest standards.
• To be part of a team who support each other, embrace and solve technical challenges and put excellence at the heart of all that we do.

Pharmaron is a premier R&D service company supporting the life sciences industry. Founded in 2004, Pharmaron has invested in its people and facilities having established diverse drug R&D service capabilities, ranging from synthetic, medicinal, and analytical chemistry, biology, DMPK, pharmacology, drug safety assessment, radiochemistry and isotopically labelled metabolism, chemical & pharmaceutical development to clinical development. With operations in China, US and UK staffed by over 21,000 employees, Pharmaron has an excellent track record in the delivery of R&D solutions to its partners in North America, Europe, Japan, and China.