Production Team Leader

Lonza Group Ltd.; Geleen; Hybrid; EUR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible remote up to 20%

Comprehensive benefits

Career development opportunities

Global life sciences organization

Job summary

Lonza Group Ltd. in Geleen, Netherlands, is seeking a Production Team Lead to guide a Biotech Associates group and ensure safe, on‑time manufacturing operations on a 24/7 basis.

You will partner with the Production Manager to maintain continuous production, drive quality documentation, investigations, and CAPAs, and mentor staff across shifts in a fast-paced biotechnology environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams within biotechnology, pharmaceutical or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of GMP manufacturing processes and quality standards.
• Strong planning, prioritization and decision‑making skills in a fast‑paced production setting.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to coach, influence and provide clear direction to teams.
• Experience managing investigations, deviations, CAPAs or manufacturing documentation is advantageous.
• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Flexibility to work a 24/7 rotating shift schedule and lead teams across all shift patterns.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of approximately 15 Biotech Associates to deliver manufacturing operations safely, efficiently and on time.
• Partner with another Production Team Lead and the Production Manager to ensure seamless 24/7 production continuity.
• Drive on‑time completion of manufacturing documentation, investigations and batch closure activities.
• Promote a culture of quality, ensuring compliance with GMP requirements, safety standards and company procedures.
• Coach, mentor and support team members, fostering engagement, accountability and professional development.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional partners including Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Manufacturing Compliance to resolve issues and implement improvements.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational performance, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Skills

Team leadership

GMP knowledge

Planning & prioritization

Communication skills

Decision-making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences

Job description

Production Team Lead Geleen, Netherlands

Lead a high-performing manufacturing team and play a key role in delivering life-changing cell and gene therapies to patients around the world. This is an exciting opportunity to combine people leadership with operational excellence in a fast-paced biotechnology manufacturing environment. This role is primarily based on site. Working together in person supports close, real-time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards. We offer flexibility to work remotely for no more than 20% of your time. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis, in line with business needs.

Shift Pattern

This role operates on a 24/7 rotating shift schedule, providing leadership across day, evening and night shifts. You will lead a team of approximately 15 Biotech Associates and work alongside another Production Team Lead, who manages an additional team of 15 colleagues on each shift, ensuring continuous manufacturing operations.

What you will get

• An agile career and dynamic working culture.
• An inclusive and ethical workplace where every contribution matters.
• Compensation programs that recognize high performance.
• A comprehensive benefits package tailored to role and location.
• Opportunities to develop your leadership skills and grow your career within a global life sciences organization.
• The full list of our global benefits can be found here: https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits.

The full-time annual base pay for this position in the Netherlands is expected to range between 50,250 Euros and 70,350 Euros. Initial salary placement within this range will be determined based on role-related factors such as experience, qualifications, and expected contribution.

What you will do

• Lead and develop a team of approximately 15 Biotech Associates to deliver manufacturing operations safely, efficiently and on time.
• Partner with another Production Team Lead and the Production Manager to ensure seamless 24/7 production continuity.
• Drive on‑time completion of manufacturing documentation, investigations and batch closure activities.
• Promote a culture of quality, ensuring compliance with GMP requirements, safety standards and company procedures.
• Coach, mentor and support team members, fostering engagement, accountability and professional development.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional partners including Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Manufacturing Compliance to resolve issues and implement improvements.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational performance, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

What we are looking for

• Experience leading teams within biotechnology, pharmaceutical or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of GMP manufacturing processes and quality standards.
• Strong planning, prioritization and decision‑making skills in a fast‑paced production setting.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to coach, influence and provide clear direction to teams.
• Experience managing investigations, deviations, CAPAs or manufacturing documentation is advantageous.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Flexibility to work a 24/7 rotating shift schedule and lead teams across all shift patterns.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone's ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that's the kind of work we want you to be part of. Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

If you're ready to help turn our customers' breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences?