GMP Facility Lead: Vaccine Manufacturing & Compliance

The Pirbright Institute; Woking; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension and life assurance

25 days annual leave

Parental package

Cycle to work scheme

Childcare allowance

Job summary

The CVIM GMP Facility Lead at The Pirbright Institute leads production and ensures GMP compliance, working with the Process Development Team to enable successful tech transfer from R&D. The role combines strategic influence with hands-on operational leadership in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.

They oversee end-to-end production performance, quality systems, and continuous improvement, while managing the CVIM GMP Team and maintaining inspection readiness.

Qualifications

• Substantial GMP industry experience.
• Degree level or equivalent in a related discipline.
• Experience in cleanrooms ISO7/ISO8.
• Leadership experience in a high-volume manufacturing facility (10+ years).
• Extensive knowledge of cGMP standards, EU GMP/MHRA guidelines, and Quality Management Systems.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate within a regulatory framework.
• Experience in vaccine production is desirable.
• Experience with a LIMS software programme.
• Experience developing new assays and completing validation to rigid standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the product and process strategy for the CVIM GMP Facility, aligning plans with CVIM objectives and future growth initiatives working closely with the Director of CVIM, Head of Business Development and the CVIM Process Development Team.
• Establish a cost-effective programme of production and activities for the facility to reduce downtime and ensure maximum use without jeopardising licensing.
• Lead and ensure full compliance with cGMP across all operational areas.
• Oversee all aspects of production, ensuring products are manufactured, stored and shipped in a compliant manner.
• Provide leadership and technical expertise across departments such as process development, facility management, QC, and production.
• Facilitate the development and establishment of QC capability.
• Drive continuous improvement programs, manage the facility budget, and ensure maximum asset use while maintaining cGMP standards.
• Ensure that there are appropriate levels of suitably trained personnel to plan, organise and oversee planned activities.
• Ensure that activities are conducted in a timely manner in accordance with an agreed project strategy and maintain effective communication with other relevant departments to ensure activities are planned and co-ordinated effectively e.g. production, formulation development, analytical support/ QC, QA, scheduling, project management, facility management, validation, stores, engineering etc.
• Develop a system for GMP facility reporting metrics. Identify and address key improvement opportunities.
• Assist in the review and realisation of new opportunities, providing information on the capabilities and limitations of existing process equipment within production.

Skills

GMP experience

Leadership

Communication

Attention to detail

Data presentation

Training others

Vaccine production

LIMS software

Assay development

Quality systems

EU GMP/MHRA

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Tools

LIMS software

Job description

The CVIM GMP Facility Lead at The Pirbright Institute leads production and ensures GMP compliance, working with the Process Development Team to enable successful tech transfer from R&D. The role combines strategic influence with hands-on operational leadership in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.

They oversee end-to-end production performance, quality systems, and continuous improvement, while managing the CVIM GMP Team and maintaining inspection readiness.