Senior Manager, Operations

ABBVIE; Waterford; On-site; EUR 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie in Waterford, Ireland, seeks a Senior Manager, Operations to lead and develop manufacturing teams across 12-hour shifts, ensuring safe, compliant operations that meet business needs.

You will partner with the Associate Director of Operations to implement plans, monitor KPIs, lead NPI and CAPA programs, and drive continuous improvement in a highly regulated biopharma setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical science, engineering, operations, or a related discipline.
• Minimum five years’ experience in operations supervision or management within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Solid understanding of working within a regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of GMP requirements and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with risk-based verification methods and compliance-focused operational management.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and motivate manufacturing and janitorial teams toward objectives.
• Provide direction to Operations Managers, Senior Technicians, and support staff.
• Promote communication across 12-hour shifts to maintain continuity.
• Conduct regular performance discussions in line with policy.
• Organize team meetings and communicate priorities effectively.
• Maintain staffing capacity aligned with headcount budgets.
• Coach Senior Technicians for succession planning and capability needs.
• Encourage continuous improvement ideas and achievements.
• Promote the company’s values and ways of working.
• Partner with the Associate Director of Operations to develop and deliver plans.
• Ensure orders meet requirements and adapt to regulatory changes.
• Lead or support New Product Introduction and implementation programs.
• Establish, monitor, and improve key performance indicators.
• Develop capacity strategies and support schedule adherence.
• Support manufacturing plan adherence through S&OP activities and planning.

Skills

People leadership

Operations management

Shift-based/Continuous operations

Capacity planning

KPIs

Root cause analysis

CAPA

Communication

GMP knowledge

Risk-based verification

Education

Bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical science, engineering, operations, or a related discipline

Job description

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us atwww.abbvie.com . Follow @abbvie onLinkedIn, Facebook ,Instagram ,X andYouTube.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Manager, Operationsto support the existing management structure of the 12-hour operation by liaising with 12-hour managers and ensuring that the full support is given to the AD of Operations. This position will be responsible for the communication across the 12 hour shifts and ongoing continuity at all times.

The successful candidate will provide visible leadership across the department, developing people, strengthening operational performance, and ensuring that manufacturing activities are delivered safely, compliantly, and in line with business requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and motivate manufacturing and janitorial teams toward shared departmental and business objectives.
• Provide clear direction and support to Operations Managers, Senior Technicians, and support personnel.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration across 12-hour shifts to maintain operational continuity.
• Conduct regular one-to-one performance discussions in line with company policy.
• Organize team meetings and ensure effective communication of business-unit priorities.
• Maintain appropriate staffing capacity in line with business needs and approved headcount budgets.
• Coach and develop Senior Technicians to support succession planning and future capability requirements.
• Encourage and recognize continuous improvement ideas and achievements.
• Promote and role-model the company’s values and ways of working.

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Partner with the Associate Director of Operations to develop and deliver departmental business plans.
• Ensure customer orders and requirements are met or exceeded.
• Assess the impact of regulatory changes and develop appropriate implementation plans.
• Lead or support New Product Introduction and implementation programs.
• Establish, monitor, and improve key performance indicators.
• Develop and implement capacity strategies to support business priorities and schedule adherence.
• Support manufacturing plan adherence through monthly S&OP forums, annual planning activities, shutdown programs, and other initiatives that may affect production plans.

Manufacturing Management and Compliance

• Develop and maintain Leader Standard Work and ensure it is consistently applied by Operations Managers and Senior Technicians.
• Represent the company at customer, client, and regulatory meetings and audits, as required.
• Ensure manufacturing activities are performed in accordance with GMP, quality, operational excellence, SOPs, policies, and other applicable compliance requirements.
• Use Process Confirmation and other appropriate systems to verify that standards are being followed.
• Provide leadership at tiered Operational Excellence meetings, maintaining focus on key objectives and ensuring progress.
• Organize and lead cross-functional and departmental initiatives to improve manufacturing efficiency and effectiveness.
• Lead operational Root Cause Problem Solving activities and support technical and other problem-solving investigations.
• Ensure appropriate CAPA is developed and implemented to prevent recurrence of issues.

Administration and Business Support

• Establish and coordinate departmental meetings, forums, and communication channels.
• Support the maintenance of a robust Quality Management System.
• Administer and monitor eLMS/LERN training and performance requirements.
• Review and approve purchase requisitions in accordance with company procedures.
• Attend relevant departmental, Operations Excellence, financial, EHS, quality, and tier meetings, or appoint an appropriate delegate.
• Provide timely and accurate operational information to support business decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical science, engineering, operations, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in operations supervision or management within the pharmaceutical, medical device, food, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of working within a regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of GMP requirements and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with risk-based verification methods and compliance-focused operational management.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience managing and developing people in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated track record in operations management and delivery of business results.
• Experience leading teams across shift-based or continuous operations.
• Strong understanding of capacity planning, production scheduling, KPIs, and operational performance management.
• Experience leading Root Cause Analysis, Root Cause Problem Solving, and CAPA activities.
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and schedule effectively.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to translate business strategy into practical departmental plans.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to present complex operational data clearly and concisely.
• A hands-on, collaborative leadership style with the maturity and resilience to work effectively under pressure.
• Action-oriented approach, with the ability to overcome obstacles and deliver results.

Additional Information

In this role, you will help create a high-performing, engaged, and compliant manufacturing organization. You will establish strong working relationships across the department, provide clear and consistent leadership, and ensure that operational, quality, safety, capacity, and financial objectives are achieved.

You will also play an important role in developing future leaders, supporting continuous improvement, and ensuring the successful delivery of manufacturing plans in a dynamic biologics environment.

Our Commitment

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative workplace where every employee can contribute, grow, and achieve their potential. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.