Pharmaceutical Plant Manager

Spectraforce; Cambridge; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Spectraforce partners with a leading pharmaceutical client to recruit an experienced Pharmaceutical Plant Manager to lead a new injectable manufacturing facility in Canada. The role covers commissioning through full-scale production, building teams and processes from the ground up.

You will drive GMP compliance, vendor management, and continuous improvement initiatives (Lean Six Sigma or similar), while ensuring safety, regulatory alignment with Health Canada/FDA/EU where applicable, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry, or related field.
• 5-7 years of pharmaceutical manufacturing experience; 3+ years in plant management/operations leadership.
• Experience in new facility start-up or sterile injectable plant commissioning.
• Vendor management: selection, qualification, and performance oversight.
• Knowledge of GMP, OSHA, and environmental regulations for pharma manufacturing.
• Leadership, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills; Lean Six Sigma or PMP certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning, start-up, and ramp-up of manufacturing facility within timelines, quality, and budget.
• Develop and oversee manufacturing workflows, production schedules, and process controls for GMP compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma to optimize yield and reduce waste.
• Establish vendor partnerships for plant buildout and operations; manage equipment suppliers and maintenance.
• Collaborate with vendors on equipment installation, qualification, and validation.
• Monitor vendor performance for material quality and timely delivery; report KPIs to leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Vendor management

GMP knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Problem-solving

Communication

Organizational skills

Lean Six Sigma

PMP

Education

Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry, or related field

Job description

On behalf of our client, we are seeking an experienced Pharmaceutical Plant Manager to lead the launch of a new injectable pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. This is a high-impact leadership role where you will guide the plant from commissioning through full-scale production, building teams and processes from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the commissioning, start-up, and ramp-up of the manufacturing facility, ensuring timelines, quality standards, and budget targets are met
• Develop and oversee manufacturing workflows, production schedules, and process controls to achieve GMP compliance and operational excellence
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies to optimize yield, reduce waste, and boost productivity
• Establish and maintain vendor partnerships critical to plant buildout and operations, including equipment suppliers and maintenance service providers
• Collaborate with vendors on equipment installation, qualification, and validation activities
• Monitor vendor performance to ensure material quality, timely delivery, and service reliability

Compliance & Reporting

• Partner with Quality Assurance, Regulatory, and Engineering teams to ensure full GMP and regulatory compliance (Health Canada/FDA/EU)
• Enforce health, safety, and environmental practices in accordance with regulations and company policies
• Establish and track KPIs for production, vendor performance, quality, and safety; deliver regular reports to senior leadership
• Monitor budget performance and control operational costs

Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field
• 5-7 years of pharmaceutical manufacturing experience, including at least 3 years in plant management or operations leadership
• Demonstrated experience in new facility start-up or plant commissioning within the sterile injectable pharmaceutical sector
• Proven expertise in vendor management, including selection, qualification, and performance oversight
• Deep knowledge of GMP, OSHA, and environmental regulations applicable to pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills
• Certifications such as Lean Six Sigma or PMP

What We Offer:

• Competitive annual salary
• Leadership role in shaping a new facility from the ground up
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a growing pharmaceutical operation