Head of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Novartis AG; Baarle-Nassau; On-site; EUR 76,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Insurance plans

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Global recognition programs

Hybrid working options

Minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave

Job summary

Novartis AG in Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands, is seeking a Production Head to lead the Manufacturing Unit, delivering safe, compliant, on-time pharmaceutical production with GMP/HSE adherence. You will build strong teams, drive performance, and implement robust operating systems in a regulated, dynamic setting.

The role offers relocation support, a base salary range of €75,700–€140,500 per year, performance-based bonuses, and flexible/hybrid working options with broad benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, engineering, chemistry, biology, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry within a GMP-regulated environment; at least 5 years in operations management.
• Proven experience leading quality, compliance, safety, and operational performance in a manufacturing environment.
• Lean Management, Operational Excellence, Six Sigma, or comparable certification is advantageous.
• Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder management, change management, budget management, project management, negotiation
• Fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the medium and long-term strategy for the Manufacturing Unit.
• Oversee all manufacturing operations, ensuring safety, quality, service, cost, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure effective planning and allocation of resources, including people, equipment, CAPEX, OPEX, expenses, and FTEs.
• Lead transformation, change management, and operational excellence initiatives to improve productivity, quality, efficiency, and cost competitiveness.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, HSE, quality policies, manufacturing standards, and regulatory expectations.
• Build, develop, coach, and engage a high-performing manufacturing team with succession planning and capability building.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, continuous improvement, accountability, collaboration, empowerment, and open communication.
• Ensure inspection readiness, business continuity, crisis management participation, and CAPA/compliance activities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Change management

Budget management

Project management

Negotiation

Regulatory knowledge

English fluency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy/engineering/chemistry/biology

Higher degree preferred

Job description

Novartis AG in Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands, is seeking a Production Head to lead the Manufacturing Unit, delivering safe, compliant, on-time pharmaceutical production with GMP/HSE adherence. You will build strong teams, drive performance, and implement robust operating systems in a regulated, dynamic setting.

The role offers relocation support, a base salary range of €75,700–€140,500 per year, performance-based bonuses, and flexible/hybrid working options with broad benefits.