Head of Production - Pharma Operations Leader

Next Phase Recruitment Limited; Worthing; On-site; GBP 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Head of Production – West Sussex is a senior leadership role at a global pharmaceutical organization. You will drive manufacturing operations at a dynamic West Sussex facility, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency across production activities.

You will shape strategy, lead large teams in a regulated environment, and embed lean and continuous improvement programs to enable scale, with a strong focus on cGMP and stakeholder engagement. This is a high-impact opportunity with long-term growth.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in GMP compliant pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Leadership of large teams in matrix environments.
• Proven track record in change management, capacity planning, and operational strategies.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all site manufacturing activities, ensuring compliance, efficiency and engagement across production operations.
• Champion a Safety-First culture and ensure full cGMP compliance.
• Lead, develop, and motivate the production team to achieve business goals.
• Oversee financial performance, capacity planning, and resource allocation.
• Drive lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage change programs for new product launches and operational enhancements.
• Engage and influence stakeholders, promoting transparency and accountability.

Skills

Leadership

GMP compliance

Lean principles

Process improvement

Capacity planning

Stakeholder engagement

Education

BSc in Scientific/Engineering/Management

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Head of Production – West Sussex is a senior leadership role at a global pharmaceutical organization. You will drive manufacturing operations at a dynamic West Sussex facility, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency across production activities.

You will shape strategy, lead large teams in a regulated environment, and embed lean and continuous improvement programs to enable scale, with a strong focus on cGMP and stakeholder engagement. This is a high-impact opportunity with long-term growth.