Materials Science Manager

Bavarian Nordic; Kvistgård; On-site; DKK 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Bavarian Nordic is seeking a Materials Science Manager to lead the Site MSAT team in Kvistgård, Denmark. You will steer materials stewardship across raw, in-process and packaging materials, and guide lifecycle management from qualification to change control.

You will manage a team of five specialists, collaborating with Site and Global MSAT, Manufacturing, QA/QC, Procurement and Supply Chain. Strong leadership and scientific credibility are essential.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required in a relevant scientific field.
• Substantial GMP-regulated pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in material qualification and lifecycle management.
• Proven formal line-management experience leading technical specialists or scientists.
• Strong scientific judgement and stakeholder-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop five technical specialists and scientists; set team direction, priorities and objectives.
• Establish and continuously improve the Materials Science operating model with governance and risk-based workflows.
• Provide senior technical direction and coordinate site and global alignment for specifications and standards.
• Ensure material topics are assessed from scientific, quality, process and supply perspectives and translate to actionable recommendations.
• Drive cross-functional alignment across DS/DP, Global MSAT and site functions; escalate material risks when needed.

Skills

Materials science

People management

GMP experience

Lifecycle management

Supplier assessments

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in materials science

Master’s or equivalent in chemistry/pharmaceutical sciences/related field

Job description

Are you motivated by combining scientific expertise, people leadership and cross‑functional collaboration? Do you thrive in a changing environment where you can create structure, set direction and strengthen technical capabilities?

We are looking for a Materials Science Manager to lead and further develop our Materials Science function within Site MSAT in Kvistgaard.

The role

You will lead the site‑level technical stewardship of raw materials, in‑process materials, single‑and multi‑use systems, disposable devices and relevant primary packaging materials across their lifecycle. The scope includes material control and risk management, implementation and qualification, supplier‑driven changes, specifications and approved technical standards, technical documentation, performance monitoring and support for complex material‑related investigations.

You will manage, coach and develop a team of five technical specialists and scientists. Together, you will work closely with Site and Global MSAT, Manufacturing, QA, QC, Procurement, Supply Chain Supplier Quality, Technical Services and external suppliers.

The role combines formal people management, senior technical leadership and cross‑functional influence. Decision authority is exercised through alignment with Global and site stakeholders: you will establish clear scientific recommendations, coordinate decisions and escal­ate unresolved risks, while product ownership, quality governance and manufacturing execution remain with the accountable functions.

Your key responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop five technical specialists and scientists; set team direction, priorities and objectives; allocate resources; manage performance; and build the scientific and cross‑functional capabilities required for strong material stewardship.
• Establish and continuously improve the Materials Science operating model, including governance, intake and prioritization, escalation routes, stakeholder interfaces, harmonized standards and risk‑based ways of working.
• Provide senior technical direction and coordinate site and global alignment for specifications, approved technical standards, supplier technical assessments, Supply Change Notifications, material lifecycle oversight, etc.
• Ensure material‑related topics are assessed from scientific, quality, process‑performance, regulatory and supply‑continuity perspectives, and translate complex evidence into practical recommendations and decision‑ready proposals.
• Drive alignment across DS and DP, Global MSAT and relevant site functions; represent Materials Science in governance forums; maintain clear decision records; and escal­­ate unresolved material risks, priorities or resource constraints.

Your profile

You combine credible scientific depth in pharmaceutical materials with proven people‑management capability. You can challenge technical assumptions, create structure in a developing function and achieve sound decisions through collaboration rather than formal authority.

You have:

• A master’s degree in materials science, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, chemical engineering or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Substantial experience from GMP‑regulated pharmaceutical or biotechnology manufacturing, with direct technical responsibility for raw materials.
• Demonstrated expertise in material qualification and lifecycle management, specifications and technical standards, supplier technical assessments and changes.
• Proven formal line‑management experience leading and developing technical specialists or scientists, including objective setting, prioritization, resource allocation, performance management and capability development.
• Strong scientific judgement, project and stakeholder‑management skills, and the ability to build cross‑functional alignment, communicate decision‑ready recommendations and escal…​ctively in a complex organization; professional proficiency in English is required.

As a person

You bring clear direction, sound judgement and a strong quality mindset. You are proactive, take initiative and work independently, bringing structure and momentum to topics even when priorities evolve and not everything is fully defined.

As a manager, you are people‑focused and create an environment of trust, open communication and accountability. You invest in understanding, coaching and developing each team member, while setting clear expectations and enabling people to take ownership. With strong scientific credibility and a pragmatic leadership style, you challenge constructively, navigate competing priorities and bring stakeholders with you through change.

Why join us?

Bavarian Nordic – and Site MSAT in particular – is going through significant development and change. New capabilities, structures and ways of working are being established, giving you a real opportunity to influence how the organization operates going forward.

You will have the opportunity to shape the Materials Science function, strengthen material stewardship across manufacturing, develop a team of specialists and have a direct impact on product quality, compliance, supply robustness and manufacturing reliability.

This is an opportunity to join an international vaccine company where you can help shape both the Materials Science function and the future direction of Site MSAT.

For us, it is all about improving and saving lives

Improving and saving lives through innovative vaccines is at the heart of what we do at Bavarian Nordic. We are a fully integrated vaccine company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialisation of life‑saving vaccines, and the largest pure‑play vaccine company in the world.

Bavarian Nordic is a global vaccine company with a mission to improve health and save lives through innovative vaccines. We are a preferred supplier of mpox and smallpox vaccines to governments to enhance public health preparedness and have a leading portfolio of travel vaccines. We are headquartered in Denmark and have manufacturing, research, and sales offices across Europe and North America.

Bavarian Nordic is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

For more information, visit www.bavarian-nordic.com