Pharmacist - Alfaya

Confidential Company; Sharjah; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Company seeks an experienced R&D/QA leader to supervise honey-based pharmaceutical manufacturing, ensure GMP/GDP compliance, and drive formulation development. You will lead QA processes, review records, and coordinate regulatory activities while collaborating with R&D, regulatory, and external partners.

The role involves scaling up innovative natural product formulations, supporting stability studies, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the facility.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master's in relevant fields.
• 10+ years R&D experience in apiculture/pharmaceuticals/nutraceuticals/biotech.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience developing commercial products from natural ingredients.
• Experience with universities and international partners.
• Publications or patents desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee pharmaceutical manufacturing processes for honey-based products ensuring GMP/GDP compliance.
• Support formulation, development, and scale-up of products derived from honey and bee products.
• Lead QA/QC activities, review batch records, and manage CAPA investigations.
• Coordinate regulatory submissions and ensure compliance with national and international regulations.
• Collaborate with R&D, regulatory, and quality teams to drive product innovation.
• Support testing and validation of analytical methods and stability studies.
• Promote continuous improvement and lean initiatives within manufacturing.
• Engage with universities and research centers for joint projects and publications.

Skills

GMP knowledge

GDP knowledge

Quality assurance

Regulatory compliance

Laboratory testing

Education

PhD in Apiculture

Master's in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

HACCP

ISO 22000

GDP

Job description

Role Accountabilities

1. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Support

• Provide pharmaceutical oversight for the manufacture of honey-based medicinal, nutraceutical, and natural health products.

• Ensure production activities comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Documentation Practices (GDP), and applicable pharmaceutical regulations.

• Review manufacturing processes to ensure product quality, consistency, and patient safety.

• Support process validation, equipment qualification, and manufacturing optimization.

2. Product Formulation & Development

• Participate in the formulation and development of new pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and functional food products derived from honey, propolis, royal jelly, bee pollen, beeswax, and bee venom.

• Evaluate formulation stability, compatibility, dosage forms, and shelf life.

• Recommend pharmaceutical excipients and processing techniques where appropriate.

• Support pilot production and scale-up activities.

3. Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Review Batch Manufacturing Records (BMR), Batch Packaging Records (BPR), and production documentation.

• Ensure compliance with GMP, HACCP, ISO 22000, UAE Organic, and EU Organic requirements where applicable.

• Investigate production deviations, Out-of-Specification (OOS) results, customer complaints, and non-conformities.

• Participate in Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) investigations.

• Support internal, external, and regulatory audits.

4. Laboratory & Product Evaluation

• Review analytical laboratory results for raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products.

• Evaluate microbiological, chemical, and physical testing data to ensure compliance with product specifications.

• Coordinate with the Laboratory Specialist and Bee Health, Honey Quality & Laboratory Consultant on product quality evaluations.

• Support stability studies and product shelf-life programs.

5. Regulatory Affairs

• Prepare and review technical documentation required for product registration and regulatory submissions.

• Ensure pharmaceutical documentation complies with national and international regulatory requirements.

• Coordinate regulatory inspections and respond to regulatory observations.

• Monitor updates to pharmaceutical and nutraceutical legislation and recommend necessary changes.

6. Documentation & SOP Management

• Develop, review, and update pharmaceutical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Maintain pharmaceutical documentation, validation records, specifications, and controlled documents.

• Ensure proper implementation of Good Documentation Practices (GDP).

• Maintain traceability of manufacturing and quality records.

7. Training & Technical Support

• Train production personnel on GMP, hygiene, pharmaceutical documentation, and quality requirements.

• Provide technical guidance on pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.

• Support competency development across production and quality teams.

• Promote continuous improvement and quality culture within the factory.

8. Research & Innovation

• Support research projects involving medicinal honey, bee-derived pharmaceutical ingredients, nutraceuticals, and natural therapeutic products.

• Collaborate with the R&D Consultant on product innovation and commercialization.

• Evaluate emerging pharmaceutical technologies and natural product applications.

• Support intellectual property and product patent initiatives.

9. Continuous Improvement

• Recommend improvements to manufacturing processes, documentation systems, and pharmaceutical quality systems.

• Participate in Lean Manufacturing and operational excellence initiatives.

• Monitor pharmaceutical KPIs and implement process improvements.

• Benchmark operations against international pharmaceutical manufacturing standards.

Desired Candidate Profile

Qualifications

• PhD (preferred) or Master's Degree in Apiculture, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Food Science, Biotechnology, Natural Products Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Veterinary Science, or a related discipline.

• Additional qualifications in pharmaceutical development, nutraceuticals, biotechnology, or food innovation are highly desirable.

• Minimum 10 years of experience in research and development within apiculture, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, biotechnology, food innovation, or natural products.

• Proven experience in leading research programs and multidisciplinary scientific teams.

• Experience in developing commercial products from natural ingredients.

• Experience working with universities, research centers, and international organizations.

• Track record of scientific publications, patents, or commercially launched products is highly desirable.