Senior Manager Operations COE

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine; Leiden; On-site; EUR 83,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Vacation days

Parental leave

Well-being programs

Job summary

Johnson & Johnson is seeking a Senior Manager to lead the Center of Expertise in Upstream Processing at our Leiden facility in the Netherlands. You will guide a team of experts driving strategic improvements, optimize production, and ensure safety, quality, and compliance standards are met.

You will collaborate with multiple departments to deliver impactful projects, lead change, foster continuous improvement, and advance manufacturing capabilities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• 8–10 years of industrial experience in operations management, including 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Proven ability to lead change and solve complex problems.
• Positive, motivating leadership style that enhances team morale and productivity.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a high-performing team of engineers and supervisors focused on upstream process, equipment, and quality initiatives.
• Set clear objectives aligned with business goals, and provide coaching and support to ensure team success.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Downstream Processing COE, Make Asset Management, Quality Assurance, MSAT, and R&D to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Monitor KPIs to ensure safety, quality, reliability, and financial performance.
• Drive operational efficiency in upstream processing through data-driven improvements in yield and performance.
• Lead the introduction of new biopharmaceutical products, ensuring upstream process and equipment readiness.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Safety and quality awareness

Communication & stakeholder mgmt

Change leadership

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

GMP

LEAN methodologies

Six Sigma Green Belt

Job description

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com.

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function

Supply Chain Manufacturing

Job Sub Function

Manufacturing Pharmaceutical Process Operations

Job Category

People Leader

All Job Posting Locations

Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands

Job Description

Senior Manager, Center of Expertise – Upstream Processing

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for innovation and operational excellence? Do you thrive in dynamic environments and enjoy empowering teams to deliver impactful results? If so, we invite you to explore an exciting opportunity to shape the future of biopharmaceutical manufacturing!

About The Role

We are seeking a Senior Manager to lead our Center of Expertise (COE) in Upstream Processing at our cutting-edge biopharmaceutical facility in Leiden, the Netherlands. Reporting to the Director of Upstream Processing, you will guide a team of experts dedicated to driving strategic improvements, optimizing production processes, and ensuring the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance.

Your leadership will be instrumental in advancing our manufacturing capabilities, introducing new products, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a high-performing team of engineers and supervisors focused on upstream process, equipment, and quality initiatives.
• Set clear objectives aligned with business goals, and provide coaching and support to ensure team success.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with departments such as Downstream Processing COE, Make Asset Management (MAM), Quality Assurance, Manufacturing Science & Technology (MSAT), and R&D to deliver impactful projects on time and within budget.
• Monitor key performance indicators to ensure excellence in safety, quality, reliability, and financial performance.
• Drive operational efficiency in upstream processing through data-driven improvements in yield and performance, leveraging deep process and technical expertise.
• Lead the introduction of new biopharmaceutical products, ensuring upstream process and equipment readiness.
• Maintain validated states of processes and equipment in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Champion a LEAN culture through Root Cause Problem Solving, Gemba walks, and process observation.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a team culture that reflects and respects the communities we serve.

Qualifications

Must-Have

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• 8‑10 years of industrial experience in operations management, including 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Proven ability to lead change and solve complex problems.
• Positive, motivating leadership style that enhances team morale and productivity.

Required Skills

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• High safety and quality awareness, with experience in EHS and cGMP standards.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Deep understanding of operational best practices and industry trends.
• Demonstrated success in leading change within complex operational environments.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in pharmaceutical or upstream processing environments.
• Project management expertise.
• Familiarity with LEAN methodologies.
• Established relationships with external stakeholders.

Additional Information

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact at our Leiden site, while enjoying a collaborative and innovative work culture. Preferred certifications such as Six Sigma Green Belt will further enhance your ability to lead projects and implement process improvements.

Johnson & Johnson is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Learn more about how we support the whole health of our employees at www.careers.jnj.com.

Required Skills:

Agile Manufacturing, Business Intelligence (BI), Change Management, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control (CMC), Collaboration, Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), Developing Others, Gap Analysis, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Manufacturing Compliance, Operational Excellence, Organizational Knowledge, Plant Operations, Process Optimization, Team Management

The Anticipated Base Pay Range For This Position Is:

€82,900.00 - €144,210.00

Benefits

In addition to base pay, we offer the following benefits*: an annual bonus with set target (% of pay) depending on pay grade / location, where the actual amount is based on the employees’ and companies’ performance of the previous calendar year, or sales commissions. Moreover, we offer vacation days, parental leave for a minimum of 12 weeks, bereavement leave, caregiver leave, volunteer leave, well-being reimbursement, programs for financial, physical and mental health. We also offer service anniversary and recognition awards, and subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees - and in some location’s eligible dependents - can participate in several insurance plans. For more information, visit Employee benefits | Supporting well-being & career growth | Johnson & Johnson Careers.

• This is for informative purposes only. Amounts and actual benefits may vary by location and are subject to change.