Sterile Value Stream Operations Delivery Director

GlaxoSmithKline plc; Fir Tree; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

GlaxoSmithKline plc is seeking a Sterile Value Stream Operations Delivery Director to lead safety, quality and performance across the Sterile Value Stream in the UK. The role focuses on execution discipline, continuous improvement and ensuring reliable product supply in a regulated manufacturing environment.

The role partners with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, MSAT and Technical teams to translate strategy into actionable plans, deputise for the Value Stream Operations Manager,

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience in Engineering, Science, Manufacturing, Supply Chain or Business Management.
• Operational leadership experience in a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience coordinating delivery across operations and cross-functional partners.
• Demonstrated delivery of safety, quality, service, productivity or cost improvements.
• Experience using performance data, governance routines and structured escalation to drive action.
• Capability to influence stakeholders, lead teams and coach others without relying solely on direct authority.
• Working knowledge/ experience of cGMP, quality systems, supply planning and production-system principles.
• Experience supporting inspections, audits, operational risk management or business continuity.

Responsibilities

• Support the Value Stream Operations Manager in delivering Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People objectives and deputise when required.
• Coordinate daily and weekly operational performance, ensuring priorities, actions, decisions and escalations are clear across the Value Stream Leadership Team.
• Drive delivery of production, service, schedule attainment, capacity, throughput and productivity commitments.
• Provide visible safety and quality leadership, supporting cGMP compliance, inspection readiness, risk management and a strong compliance culture.
• Lead cross-functional resolution of operational constraints, supply risks and performance gaps, escalating significant issues appropriately.
• Support delivery of operating plans, budgets, productivity commitments, loss elimination and waste-reduction priorities.
• Lead selected continuous-improvement programmes using the GSK Production System, Lean, Six Sigma and structured problem solving.
• Coordinate operational readiness for new products, technology transfers, capital projects, commissioning, qualification and start-up activities.
• Use operational, quality and financial data to improve visibility, decision-making, predictability and performance.
• Coach leaders and teams, strengthening accountability, inclusion, engagement, capability and sustainable high performance.

Skills

Influence & leadership

Problem solving

Digital fluency

Communication

Education

Degree in Engineering/Science/Manufacturing/Supply Chain/Business

Advanced qualification in Engineering/Pharmaceutical Sciences/Manufacturing Leadership/Operations Management

Job description

Sterile Value Stream Operations Delivery Director

Locations - Barnard Castle (UK)

Business Introduction

We manufacture and supply reliable, high-quality medicines and vaccines to meet patients' needs and drive our performance. Our network of 37 medicines and vaccines manufacturing sites delivered 1.7 billion packs of medicines and 409 million vaccine doses in 2024 to help make a positive impact on the health of millions of people. Our supply chain is not just core to our operations; it's vital to bringing our innovations to patients as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible. Technology is transforming how we manufacture medicines and vaccines, enabling us to increase the speed, quality and scale of product supply. We need the very best minds and capability to help us on our journey to make more complex products, harnessing the power of smart manufacturing technologies including robotics, digital solutions and artificial intelligence to deliver for patients.

Position Summary

The role supports the Value Stream Operations Manager in delivering safe, compliant and reliable end-to-end performance across the Sterile Value Stream, with a particular focus on operational delivery, execution discipline and continuous improvement. Working across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, MSAT and Technical functions, the role coordinates day-to-day performance to achieve Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People objectives, strengthen capacity and capability, and ensure reliable product supply. The job holder deputises for the Value Stream Operations Manager when required, ensuring continuity of leadership, supporting governance and escalation, and translating value stream priorities into effective operational execution.

This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. These responsibilities include some of the following:

• Support the Value Stream Operations Manager in delivering Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost and People objectives and deputise when required.
• Coordinate daily and weekly operational performance, ensuring priorities, actions, decisions and escalations are clear across the Value Stream Leadership Team.
• Drive delivery of production, service, schedule attainment, capacity, throughput and productivity commitments.
• Provide visible safety and quality leadership, supporting cGMP compliance, inspection readiness, risk management and a strong compliance culture.
• Lead cross-functional resolution of operational constraints, supply risks and performance gaps, escalating significant issues appropriately.
• Support delivery of operating plans, budgets, productivity commitments, loss elimination and waste-reduction priorities.
• Lead selected continuous-improvement programmes using the GSK Production System, Lean, Six Sigma and structured problem solving.
• Coordinate operational readiness for new products, technology transfers, capital projects, commissioning, qualification and start-up activities.
• Use operational, quality and financial data to improve visibility, decision-making, predictability and performance.
• Coach leaders and teams, strengthening accountability, inclusion, engagement, capability and sustainable high performance.

The Sterile Value Stream Operations Delivery Director will:

• Act within delegated authority and provide continuity of value stream leadership in the Operations Manager's absence.
• Connect strategy to daily execution and maintain disciplined follow-through on performance commitments.
• Influence across functional boundaries while respecting the accountability of functional leaders.
• Surface risks early, simplify ways of working and enable timely decisions.
• Balance immediate delivery needs with compliance, reliability and long-term capability.

Basic Qualification

• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience in Engineering, Science, Manufacturing, Supply Chain or Business Management.
• Operational leadership experience in a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience coordinating delivery across operations and cross-functional partners.
• Demonstrated delivery of safety, quality, service, productivity or cost improvements.
• Experience using performance data, governance routines and structured escalation to drive action.
• Capability to influence stakeholders, lead teams and coach others without relying solely on direct authority.
• Working knowledge/ experience of cGMP, quality systems, supply planning and production-system principles.
• Experience supporting inspections, audits, operational risk management or business continuity.

Preferred Qualification

• Advanced qualification in, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manufacturing Leadership, or Operations Management.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt or equivalent improvement experience.
• Experience in sterile or aseptic manufacturing is strongly preferred.
• Experience deputising for a senior operations leader or leading through delegated authority.
• Experience supporting new product introductions, technology transfers, capital investments or organisational change.
• Data Integrity
• Detail-Oriented
• Digital Fluency
• Emergency Response
• Financial Acumen
• GxP Regulations
• Lean Management
• Manufacturing Processes
• Problem Solving
• Production Management
• Project Coordination
• Quality Compliance
• Regulatory Compliance
• Risk Awareness
• Site Operations

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases - to impact health at scale.

People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we're committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

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