Site Director

Allerton Bishop Search; Nordrhein-Westfalen; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Allerton Bishop is seeking a Site Director for a Northern Germany-based pharma manufacturing site focused on small molecule drug products. You will lead manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, and quality to drive world-class performance and regulatory readiness across European markets.

The role requires senior leadership experience in GMP environments, proven capability in capacity expansion, technology transfer, and capital projects, with a track record of delivering cross-functional

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success leading GMP-regulated facilities within international pharma organisations.
• Deep understanding of small molecule drug product manufacturing technologies.
• Strong track record delivering operational transformation and manufacturing excellence.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for all site operations ensuring safe, reliable, and GMP-compliant manufacturing.
• Drive operational excellence across manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, and technical operations.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing cross-functional leadership team with accountability and collaboration.
• Deliver strategic site objectives including capacity expansion, tech transfer, and capital investment programmes.
• Partner with COO and global leadership to define and execute the long-term site manufacturing strategy.
• Maintain the highest standards of GMP compliance, quality culture, EHS, and regulatory readiness.
• Represent the site during inspections by EMA, FDA, and other global authorities.
• Own site financial performance including budget, KPIs, forecasting, and resource planning.
• Build strong relationships with global functions, customers, and external stakeholders.

Skills

Senior leadership

GMP knowledge

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Job description

Allerton Bishop are looking to appoint a Site Director on behalf of a global pharmaceutical manufacturer specialising in the development and commercial manufacture of small molecule drug products.

This is a high-profile leadership appointment for a strategically important manufacturing site in Northern Germany, supporting both commercial production and new product introduction across global markets. The site plays a critical role within the organisation's European manufacturing network and is positioned for continued growth through investment, operational excellence, and manufacturing innovation.

The Site Director will have full accountability for site performance, leading Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, Technical Services, Operational Excellence, EHS, Quality, and Site Functions. The successful candidate will drive world-class operational performance, regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, and the execution of strategic initiatives that strengthen manufacturing capability and support future business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for all site operations, ensuring safe, reliable, and GMP-compliant manufacturing.
• Drive operational excellence across manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, and technical operations, delivering improvements in productivity, quality, service, and cost.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing cross-functional leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Deliver strategic site objectives, including capacity expansion, technology transfer, new product introductions, and capital investment programmes.
• Partner with the COO and global leadership team to define and execute the long-term manufacturing strategy for the site.
• Maintain the highest standards of GMP compliance, quality culture, environmental health and safety, and regulatory readiness.
• Act as the senior site representative during inspections by international regulatory authorities, including the EMA, FDA, and other global agencies.
• Own site financial performance, including budget management, operational KPIs, forecasting, and resource planning.
• Build strong relationships with global functions, commercial teams, customers, and external stakeholders to ensure successful execution of business objectives.

Candidate Profile

• Significant senior leadership experience within pharmaceutical manufacturing, with a strong background in small molecule drug product operations.
• Demonstrated success leading complex GMP-regulated manufacturing facilities within international pharmaceutical organisations.
• Deep understanding of oral solid dose, liquids, semi-solids, or other small molecule drug product manufacturing technologies.
• Proven experience delivering operational transformation, manufacturing excellence, capacity expansion, or major capital investment programmes.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, quality systems, pharmaceutical supply chain, engineering, and operational excellence methodologies.
• Track record of leading large, multidisciplinary teams within complex matrix organisations.
• Commercially astute with exceptional strategic thinking, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience operating within a European manufacturing network and interacting with global regulatory authorities is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English is essential, with German language skills advantageous but not essential.

Confidential Search

Due to the strategic nature of this appointment, the search is being conducted on a strictly confidential basis. Further information will be shared with selected candidates following an initial discussion and the execution of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

Site Director | Plant Director | VP Operations | Manufacturing Director | Pharmaceutical Manufacturing | Small Molecule | Drug Product | Oral Solid Dose | GMP | Operational Excellence | Supply Chain | Engineering | Technical Services | Quality | EHS | Capital Projects | Site Leadership | Germany