Operations Manager

Uniting Holding; Cork; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Catalyx is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead embedded operational services within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. This senior role oversees multiple functions, ensuring governance, compliance and high-quality service delivery across a complex client environment.

The successful candidate will lead on‑floor teams, drive KPIs, and partner with client executives to balance customer expectations with commercial objectives in a fast-paced setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related discipline required.
• Minimum 5‑10 years’ operational leadership experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing operational teams within GMP‑regulated environments.
• Experience operating within client‑facing, outsourced services or FSP environments desirable.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing, packaging, warehouse/distribution or supply chain operations.
• Experience managing operational KPIs, compliance metrics and performance improvement initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management experience within client‑facing or embedded service environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing operational performance, compliance and people leadership simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operational delivery across GMP-regulated functions including manufacturing support, packaging, tablet inspection and operations.
• Ensure safe, compliant and efficient execution of contracted services.
• Drive KPIs for productivity, service delivery, quality, compliance and safety.
• Provide on-floor leadership and oversight across shifts and departments.
• Ensure readiness, workforce planning and resource deployment to meet changing demands.
• Support delivery of performance in line with contractual and commercial expectations.
• Identify and implement operational efficiencies while maintaining quality standards.
• Build strong relationships with client operational, quality, safety and leadership teams.
• Act as operational interface between Catalyx and the client.
• Lead governance meetings, performance reviews and escalation management.
• Ensure delivery against service standards and customer expectations.
• Partner with stakeholders for operational improvements and account growth.
• Support strategic initiatives and expansion opportunities within the client account.

Skills

Operational leadership

Stakeholder management

Executive presence

Communication

Problem-solving

Organisational agility

Commercial awareness

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management

Engineering/Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job description

About Catalyx

Catalyx is a trusted partner in delivering operational and lifecycle services to highly regulated industries globally. With expertise across manufacturing, packaging, quality, supply chain and operational excellence, Catalyx partners with leading life sciences organisations to enhance operational performance, compliance and efficiency.

Operating across North America and Europe, Catalyx combines operational expertise, technology and people solutions to support critical pharmaceutical and biotechnology operations.

Role Overview

Catalyx is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead embedded operational services within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

This is a senior operational leadership role responsible for the delivery of multiple operational functions across a large-scale Functional Service Provision (FSP) programme. The successful candidate will oversee operational performance, compliance, stakeholder management, people leadership and continuous improvement initiatives across a complex client environment.

The role acts as a key interface between Catalyx and the client, ensuring operational excellence, strong governance, high-quality service delivery and a positive team culture while balancing both customer expectations and commercial objectives.

This position requires a highly visible and hands‑on leader who can operate effectively across both strategic and operational levels within a fast‑paced regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead day-to-day operational delivery across multiple GMP-regulated functions including manufacturing support, packaging, tablet inspection, and operational support activities.

• Ensure safe, compliant and efficient execution of all contracted operational services.

• Drive operational performance against agreed KPIs including productivity, service delivery, quality, compliance and safety.

• Provide strong on‑floor leadership and operational oversight across shifts and departments.

• Ensure operational readiness, workforce planning and effective resource deployment to support changing business demands.

• Support delivery of operational performance in line with contractual and commercial expectations.

• Identify and implement operational efficiencies and process improvements while maintaining compliance and quality standards.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with client operational, quality, safety and leadership teams.

• Act as a key operational interface between Catalyx and the client.

• Lead operational governance meetings, performance reviews and escalation management activities.

• Ensure delivery against agreed service standards and customer expectations.

• Partner collaboratively with stakeholders to support operational improvements and long‑term account growth.

• Support strategic initiatives and operational expansion opportunities within the client account.

Client & Stakeholder Management

People Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop operational personnel across a large, embedded workforce.

• Foster a high‑performance culture focused on accountability, engagement, teamwork and operational excellence.

• Support recruitment, onboarding, retention and succession planning activities.

• Conduct performance reviews, provide coaching and support employee development initiatives.

• Drive employee engagement and promote a positive and inclusive team culture within an embedded client environment.

• Ensure effective communication and alignment across operational teams and shifts.

Compliance, Quality & Safety

• Drive a proactive GMP, GDP and EHS compliance culture across operations.

• Ensure adherence to SOPs, quality systems, cGMP requirements and client procedures.

• Support deviation reduction, right‑first‑time performance and operational discipline initiatives.

• Partner with Quality and Compliance stakeholders to improve adherence and reduce recurring issues.

• Promote proactive issue escalation, root cause analysis and continuous improvement behaviours.

• Support audits, inspections, CAPA activities and quality investigations as required.

• Champion a strong safety culture through visible leadership and compliance with all site safety requirements.

Continuous Improvement & Governance

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, quality and service delivery.

• Monitor operational trends and identify opportunities to improve performance and reduce risk.

• Support standardisation, governance and operational consistency across functions.

• Drive data‑driven decision making through effective use of operational metrics and reporting.

• Support implementation of operational excellence initiatives including Lean and process optimisation activities.

Skills & Experience

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related discipline required.

• Minimum 5‑10 years’ operational leadership experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device or highly regulated manufacturing environments.

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing operational teams within GMP-regulated environments.

• Experience operating within client‑facing, outsourced services or Functional Service Provision (FSP) environments desirable.

• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing, packaging, warehouse/distribution or supply chain operations.

• Experience managing operational KPIs, compliance metrics and performance improvement initiatives.

• Strong stakeholder management experience within client‑facing or embedded service environments.

• Demonstrated experience managing operational performance, compliance and people leadership simultaneously.

Technical & Regulatory Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of GMP/GDP requirements and regulated pharmaceutical operations.

• Experience with deviation management, CAPA processes and quality systems.

• Understanding of operational governance, compliance expectations and EHS requirements.

• Experience with workforce planning, operational reporting and performance management.

• Knowledge of Lean, continuous improvement and operational excellence methodologies desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong operational leadership capability

• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship‑building skills

• Strong communication and executive presence

• Ability to influence and lead within complex client environments

• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making capability

• Organisational agility and ability to manage competing priorities

• Commercial awareness and customer focus

• Strong analytical and operational planning skills

• Ability to lead through ambiguity and operational change

• High level of accountability and ownership

Why Join Catalyx

At Catalyx, our people are our greatest asset. We are committed to developing high‑performing teams within a collaborative, inclusive and growth‑oriented environment.

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Lead a high‑profile embedded team within a leading global pharmaceutical organisation
• Work within a dynamic and evolving GMP-regulated environment
• Develop leadership capability within a growing life sciences services organisation
• Contribute to operational excellence across critical pharmaceutical operations

Catalyx is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are respected, supported and empowered to succeed.