Validation Lead (2 years contract)

Smith+Nephew; Melton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global healthcare company in the UK is seeking a Validation Lead to drive critical validation projects for advanced medical technologies. The ideal candidate will have a degree in a STEM discipline and extensive experience in process validation within manufacturing. Key responsibilities include developing validation plans, collaborating with engineering and quality teams, and leading cross-functional projects. This role offers a hybrid working model, generous bonuses, and robust employee benefits, including health plans and flexible vacation.

Benefits

Generous annual bonus

Flexible vacation and time off

Private health and dental plans

Discounts on gyms and fitness clubs

Qualifications

• Broad experience in process validation within a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of documentation and quality systems.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams through complex technical challenges.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of validation activities for new processes and technologies.
• Develop validation master plans and data-driven protocols.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and regulatory teams.

Skills

Technical expertise

Leadership and problem-solving skills

Project management skills

Effective communication

Statistical methods

Education

Degree in a STEM discipline

Job description

Life. Unlimited. At Smith+Nebow we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.Are you ready to lead critical validation projects that ensure our advanced medical technologies meet the highest standards? This is your chance to make a real impact on patient outcomes while driving innovation and compliance in a global organization. What will you be doing? You’ll take ownership of validation activities for new processes, technologies, and modifications to existing systems. From developing site-wide validation master plans to creating data-driven protocols, you’ll ensure every piece of equipment and process meets regulatory and quality requirements before it reaches commercial manufacturing. You’ll collaborate with engineering, quality, and regulatory teams, lead complex benchmarking, and coach others to embed best practices—all while shaping the future of our Hull site.

What will you need to be successful?

Success in this role means combining technical expertise with leadership and problem-solving skills. You’ll need to :

• Hold a degree in a STEM discipline and bring broad experience in process validation within a manufacturing environment
• Demonstrate strong project management skills and knowledge of documentation and quality systems
• Apply statistical methods and risk-based approaches to create efficient, compliant validation plans
• Communicate effectively and lead cross-functional teams through complex technical challenges

Inclusion and Belonging : Committed to welcoming, celebrating and thriving on inclusion and belonging. Learn more about our on our website www.smith-nephew.com

Your Future

Generous annual bonus and pension schemes, Save As You Earn share options

Work / Life Balance

Flexible vacation and time off, paid holidays and paid volunteering hours so we can give back to our communities

Your Wellbeing

Private health and dental plans, healthcare cash plans, income protection, life assurance and much more

Flexibility

Hybrid working model (for most professional roles)

Training

Hands-on, team-customised, mentorship

Extra Perks

Discounts on gyms and fitness clubs, salary sacrifice bicycle and car schemes and many other employee discounts