Head of Engineering - NextPharma Oy

Birn+Partners Group; Tampere; On-site; EUR 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

NextPharma Tampere seeks an experienced Head of Engineering to lead and develop the site’s engineering operations in a regulated pharmaceutical environment. You will drive reliability, regulatory compliance, and the successful execution of investment and improvement projects, reporting to the Site Director and guiding a ~50-person team.

You bring 10–15 years of relevant experience including leadership, with deep GMP knowledge and a proven ability to deliver complex capital projects and a

Qualifications

• Approximately 10–15 years of relevant professional experience, including at least five years in leadership positions.
• Experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing or another highly regulated manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of engineering operations, maintenance, technical infrastructure and project portfolio management.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading complex investment projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Understanding of GMP requirements and the specific demands of regulated production environments.
• Proven capabilities in change leadership, performance management and operational excellence.
• A Master of Science in Technology or an equivalent relevant qualification.
• Fluent communication skills in both Finnish and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the site's engineering operations, ensuring technical reliability, regulatory compliance and successful execution of investment and improvement projects.
• Report to the Site Director and lead an organization of approximately 50 professionals with 3–7 direct reports.
• Lead equipment, system and process qualification and validation activities in line with GMP and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee engineering investment projects, project governance and execution in a demanding cleanroom and GMP environment.
• Oversee maintenance, facilities operations and site-wide maintenance strategy for production equipment and utilities.
• Coach and develop engineering professionals, building a high-performing team.
• Drive continuous improvement, performance management and change initiatives across engineering.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Regulatory compliance

GMP knowledge

Communication

Change leadership

Finnish language

English language

Education

Master of Science in Technology

Tools

GMP systems

Job description

Head of Engineering - NextPharma Oy

Are you an experienced engineering leader who combines strategic thinking with a practical, hands‑on approach? Do you thrive in a regulated manufacturing environment where operational reliability, technical excellence and continuous improvement are essential?

Birn+Partners is looking for an accomplished Head of Engineering to join NextPharma's Tampere site and take responsibility for a broad engineering organisation covering maintenance, validation, capital projects and facilities management.

This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role in developing the technical capabilities, operational performance and future readiness of an internationally recognised pharmaceutical manufacturing site.

Your role

As Head of Engineering, you will lead and develop the site's engineering operations, ensuring technical reliability, regulatory compliance and successful execution of investment and improvement projects.

Reporting directly to the Site Director, you will lead an organisation of approximately 50 professionals, with 3–7 direct reports depending on the organisational structure. You will be part of the Site Leadership team.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Validation and qualification: Lead equipment, system and process qualification and validation activities in accordance with GMP and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Capital projects and project management: Lead engineering investment projects and project teams, establish effective project governance and ensure successful execution in a demanding cleanroom and GMP environment.
• Facilities and Utility systems: Oversee building maintenance, facilities operations and related technical infrastructure. Develop and own the site‑wide maintenance strategy, ensuring the reliability, availability and performance of production equipment, facilities and utility systems.
• Leadership and organisational development: Lead, coach and develop engineering professionals, strengthen capabilities and build a high‑performing organisation.
• Operational excellence: Drive continuous improvement, performance management and change initiatives across the engineering function.

You will work closely with the site's leadership team and international Group stakeholders, providing regular operational reporting at Site & Group level.

What we expect from you:

We are looking for a confident and experienced engineering leader with a strong industrial background and the ability to translate technical expertise into measurable operational results.

You bring:

• Approximately 10–15 years of relevant professional experience, including at least five years in leadership positions.
• Experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing or another highly regulated manufacturing industry.
• Strong knowledge of engineering operations, maintenance, technical infrastructure and project portfolio management.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading complex investment projects and multidisciplinary teams.
• Understanding of GMP requirements and the specific demands of regulated production environments.
• Proven capabilities in change leadership, performance management and operational excellence.
• A Master of Science in Technology or an equivalent relevant qualification.
• Fluent communication skills in both Finnish and English.

Your leadership style:

You are an assertive, proactive and results‑oriented leader who knows how to create clarity, build commitment and turn plans into action.

You combine strong technical and business understanding with excellent communication and relationship‑building skills. You are comfortable influencing stakeholders in an international environment and working across organisational boundaries.

Above all, you are a down‑to‑earth leader who is equally comfortable discussing strategic priorities and rolling up your sleeves to solve practical challenges.

Why join NextPharma?

At NextPharma Tampere, you will have the opportunity to lead a substantial engineering organisation in a specialised pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

You will work with experienced professionals, contribute to the development of a technically demanding production site and play a central role in strengthening operational reliability, investment execution and long‑term performance.

The position combines significant leadership responsibility, international collaboration and the opportunity to make a visible impact on the site's future development.

About NextPharma:

NextPharma is a leading European Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO), providing pharmaceutical development, clinical trial services, commercial manufacturing and packaging solutions to pharmaceutical companies worldwide.

With 10 specialised manufacturing sites across Europe and products supplied to customers serving approximately 70 global end markets, NextPharma combines international expertise with specialised manufacturing capabilities and a strong commitment to quality, reliability and long‑term customer partnerships.

NextPharma Tampere is one of Europe's most experienced dedicated manufacturing facilities for sterile ophthalmic and otic pharmaceutical products. Pharmaceutical production at the site dates back to 1981, with an FDA approval track record extending to 1995.

The Tampere site specialises in sterile manufacturing technologies, including Blow‑Fill‑Seal (BFS), three‑piece bottles and preservative‑free multidose solutions. Its capabilities cover pharmaceutical development, commercial manufacturing, quality control and packaging.

As part of the NextPharma Group since 2019, the Tampere operation continues to develop its manufacturing capabilities and capacity, providing an exciting environment for experienced leaders who want to make a tangible impact. Learn more: www.nextpharma.com/en/locations/tampere/

Birn+Partners is managing this recruitment on behalf of NextPharma.

Location: Tampere, Finland

We look forward to hearing from you.