Production Head

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

The Production Head leads the Production Unit to deliver high-quality pharmaceutical products safely, reliably, on time, and in full compliance with GMP, HSE, quality, and regulatory expectations. We are looking for a result-driven, pragmatic, and action-oriented leader who can bring structure, stability, and clear business processes into a dynamic production environment.

The role requires strong leadership and people management capabilities, with the ability to build effective teams, create accountability, drive performance, and implement robust operating systems. The ideal candidate does not need prior radiopharma experience but should bring solid manufacturing experience, preferably from pharma, chemistry, life sciences, or another regulated production environment.

• Location: Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands
• #LI-Onsite
• Relocation Support: This role is based in Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands. Novartis is able to offer relocation support!
• Full time
• Regular
• Shift Work No

About the Role

Major accountabilities:

• Define and execute the medium and long-term strategy for the Manufacturing Unit, aligned with site and global manufacturing objectives.
• Oversee all manufacturing operations, ensuring strong performance across safety, quality, service, cost, supply, resources, and business results.
• Ensure effective planning and allocation of resources, including people, equipment, facilities, 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, Novartis quality and safety policies, manufacturing standards, and regulatory expectations.
• Build, develop, coach, and engage a high-performing manufacturing team, including talent development, succession planning, training, 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 effective implementation of CAPAs and compliance activities.

Obligatory Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, engineering, chemistry, biology, or a related field; higher degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry within a GMP-regulated environment. At least 5 years of experience in operations management and execution.
• 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
• Strong influencing skills, with solid knowledge of regulatory requirements across health authorities.
• Fluent in English.

Benefits & Rewards

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: €75,700 to €140,500

The base salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.

The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave.