Head of Production

Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH; Guildford; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Boehringer Ingelheim is seeking a Head of Production for its Pirbright site, where you'll drive excellence in animal health production. This leadership role demands oversight of all production, compliance with GMP standards, and fostering of a high-performance team culture while ensuring regulatory alignment.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in GMP-regulated production environments.
• Experience with UK regulatory inspections and audits.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all production activities and ensure GMP compliance.
• Drive data integrity and contamination control strategies.
• Lead, coach, and develop a diverse, high-performing team.

Skills

Leadership

Proficiency in GMP

Aseptic Manufacturing

Regulatory Compliance

Operational Excellence

Education

Scientific degree (Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Biology, Chemistry)

Tools

Lean

Six Sigma

Job description

Are you ready to take the helm of a world-class production facility and shape the future of animal health? At Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), we’re looking for a visionary Head of Production to lead our Pirbright site—driving excellence, innovation, and compliance in every aspect of our manufacturing operations. This is more than a leadership role—it’s your opportunity to make a lasting impact in a global organisation.

As Head of Production, you’ll be at the heart of our mission—ensuring the seamless delivery of our business strategy through outstanding performance across People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost. You’ll lead a high-performing team, champion regulatory excellence, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

This is a fully site-based role at our cutting-edge Pirbright facility, where your expertise will directly influence the production of life-saving animal vaccines.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Production Leadership & Compliance
• Oversee all production activities, from operations and maintenance to validation and waste management
• Ensure full compliance with GMP, biosafety, HSE, and quality standards
• Lead contamination control strategies and maintain rigorous hygiene protocols
• Own SOP development and implementation, ensuring alignment with regulatory and licensing requirements
• Drive data integrity, documentation accuracy, and validation of aseptic procedures

Strategic Supply Chain & Operational Excellence
• Manage end-to-end supply chain planning, budgeting, and inventory control
• Collaborate with Procurement to align supply needs with production schedules
• Monitor GMP compliance and lead regulatory inspection readiness
• Embed a culture of Quality, Safety, and Continuous Improvement through visual management and Gemba walks

Senior Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to strategic direction and company-wide initiatives
• Inspire and motivate teams to achieve local and global targets
• Champion open communication and cross-functional alignment
People Development & Departmental Growth
• Lead, coach, and develop a diverse, high-performing team
• Shape departmental structure to meet evolving business needs
• Drive talent development, performance management, and succession planning
• Promote knowledge sharing and operational excellence across the team

Requirements

• A scientific degree (e.g., pharmacy, veterinary medicine, biology, chemistry) or equivalent experience
• Proven leadership in GMP-regulated production environments, ideally in biopharmaceuticals
• Deep understanding of aseptic manufacturing, biosafety, and operational excellence tools (Lean, Six Sigma)
• Experience with UK regulatory inspections and audits
• Strategic mindset with strong influencing and communication skills
• A collaborative, pragmatic, and solutions-focused approach
• Exceptional organisational, time management, and IT skills