Senior Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Leader

NL42 (FCRS = NL042) IDB Holland BV; Baarle-Nassau; Hybrid; EUR 75,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance plans

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Global recognition programs

14 weeks parental leave

Job summary

Novartis in Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands, seeks a Production Head to lead the Manufacturing Unit, delivering high-quality pharmaceutical products safely and on schedule within GMP/HSE guidelines. The role emphasizes strategy, leadership, and robust operating systems in a regulated environment.

You will shape medium- and long-term plans, oversee operations, manage resources and budgets, drive continuous improvement, and ensure inspection readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, engineering, chemistry, biology, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years in pharmaceutical or life sciences GMP-regulated environment.
• At least 5 years in operations management and execution.
• Proven experience in quality, compliance, safety, and performance.
• Lean/Operational Excellence or Six Sigma certification is advantageous.
• Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and budgeting.
• Regulatory knowledge across health authorities; fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute medium/long-term strategy for Manufacturing Unit.
• Oversee production operations ensuring safety, quality, service, cost, and supply.
• Plan resources including people, equipment, CAPEX, OPEX, and FTEs.
• Lead transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure GMP/HSE compliance and regulatory expectations.
• Build and develop a high-performing manufacturing team.

Skills

Lean Management

Operational Excellence

Six Sigma

Change management

Budget management

Project management

Negotiation

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Regulatory knowledge

English fluency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, engineering, chemistry, biology, or related field

Higher degree preferred

Tools

GMP standards

Job description

Novartis in Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands, seeks a Production Head to lead the Manufacturing Unit, delivering high-quality pharmaceutical products safely and on schedule within GMP/HSE guidelines. The role emphasizes strategy, leadership, and robust operating systems in a regulated environment.

You will shape medium- and long-term plans, oversee operations, manage resources and budgets, drive continuous improvement, and ensure inspection readiness.