Production Manager

Next Phase Recruitment Limited; Newry; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a highly motivated Production Manager for a sterile manufacturing operation in Newry. This role involves leading a team, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and driving operational excellence. The ideal candidate has a relevant degree, management experience, and a strong understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in pharmaceutical manufacturing or packaging.
• 3+ years in a management role with shift-based teams.
• Strong understanding of GMP and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with health and safety standards and GMP.
• Manage day-to-day operations and lead the production team.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for operational efficiency.

Skills

Leadership skills

Team development

EHS compliance

Operational excellence

Regulatory understanding

Excellent organisational skills

IT skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Education

Degree in Pharmacy, Science, Engineering, or Mathematics

Job description

Production Manager - Sterile Manufacturing

We are seeking a highly motivated Production Manager to lead a dedicated sterile manufacturing operation within a global pharmaceutical environment. This role offers the opportunity to manage a high-performing production suite, deliver life‑enhancing products to global markets, and drive excellence in compliance, quality, and operational performance.

You’ll be responsible for leading a skilled team, ensuring that products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and to the highest regulatory and quality standards. With a focus on continuous improvement, you’ll shape a culture of accountability, innovation, and operational excellence.

This is a pivotal role for an experienced leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, regulated manufacturing setting and enjoys developing people, processes, and performance.

Key Responsibilities

Safety & Compliance

• Champion a proactive health and safety culture, ensuring adherence to all company, environmental, and statutory standards.
• Conduct and review risk assessments, implementing effective controls and fostering a safety‑first mindset throughout the production area.
• Ensure the facility operates in full compliance with GMP, environmental, and regulatory requirements always.

Quality Leadership

• Embed a strong “right first time” and continuous improvement mindset across all production activities.
• Ensure all manufacturing processes, documentation, and cleaning procedures meet the highest standards of quality and compliance.
• Lead investigations, implement CAPAs, and drive root cause analysis in collaboration with Quality Assurance.
• Always maintain a state of audit readiness through regular internal compliance reviews and effective follow‑up actions.

Operational Excellence

• Manage day‑to‑day production operations within a sterile manufacturing suite, ensuring schedules, capacity, and quality standards are consistently met.
• Lead your team to achieve on‑time delivery of customer orders while maintaining operational efficiency and compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on yield optimisation, waste reduction, and equipment performance.
• Ensure robust adherence to SOPs, GMP, and validation protocols.
• Track and report operational and compliance KPIs, using data to inform performance improvements.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Manufacturing Supervisors and Operators across multiple shifts.
• Build a motivated, cohesive, and high‑performing team culture based on respect, collaboration, and accountability.
• Identify and address training needs, ensuring all team members are fully competent and compliant in their roles.
• Communicate effectively across teams to ensure alignment on production priorities and performance goals.

About You

Essential Criteria

• Degree or higher‑level qualification in Pharmacy, Science, Engineering, or Mathematics OR a minimum of five years’ experience in a pharmaceutical manufacturing or packaging environment.
• Minimum three years’ experience in a management role, including managing shift‑based teams.
• In‑depth understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing, regulatory, and validation requirements.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop diverse teams.
• Proven experience in EHS and contamination control.
• Demonstrated capability in maintaining GMP compliance and audit readiness.
• Excellent organisational, communication, and IT skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Proven success in driving production performance and delivering quality products to strict regulatory standards.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in oral dose, sterile injectables, or other pharmaceutical dosage formats.
• Formal training or certification in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or operational excellence.
• For internal candidates: current Level 3 Manufacturing Supervisor.