Group Leader: Antigen

Biovac; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sterile vaccine manufacturer in South Africa seeks a dynamic Group Leader: Antigen. The ideal candidate will have a PhD or MSc in a relevant field, with over 5 years in the vaccine or biotech industry and 2 years in a supervisory capacity. Responsibilities include supporting budgeting and cost control, risk management, maintaining quality compliance, and ensuring timely project delivery. This role offers a great opportunity to influence vaccine production standards and drive innovation within a dedicated team.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in vaccine/biotech/pharmaceutical industry.
• 2 years supervisory experience in product development or cGMP environment.
• Knowledge of cGMP and GLP guidelines.
• Quality & regulatory compliance knowledge (SAHPRA and WHO).

Responsibilities

• Assist with group/unit budgeting and cost control.
• Ensure timely service delivery to stakeholders.
• Manage risk and anticipate issues in accordance with standards.
• Generate applicable documentation per scientific and regulatory guidelines.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Budgeting and Cost Control

Risk Management

Quality Risk Management

Education

PhD or MSc in relevant discipline

Job description

BIOVAC is one of the leading sterile vaccine manufacturers rooted in Africa, with our core purpose being to "protect life". We are looking to hire a dynamic, passionate, confident, proactive and meticulous Group Leader: Antigen to join a goal‑oriented team.

QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED:

Required:

• Preferably PhD or MSc in relevant discipline.

Experience needed to deliver the role seamlessly:

• 5+ years experience in vaccine / biotech / pharmaceutical industry or equivalent would be advantageous.
• 2 years supervisory experience in product development or a cGMP environment.
• Exposure and understanding of scientific principles that governs production of vaccines and /or biologicals.
• Quality & regulatory compliance knowledge, i.e. SAHPRA and WHO.
• GDP and IP management knowledge preferable.
• Experience in technology transfer would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of cGMP (SA, PIC, WHO) and GLP guidelines.
• Experience in having faced successfully local quality audits would be an advantage.

Preferred:

• Exposure to the development and commercialisation of a pharmaceutical product.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE:

Core Technical Delivery:

• Laboratory Administration including Budgeting and Cost Control (Assists with group/ unit budgeting, follows a cost conscious culture within own department/ group/ unit)
• Ensure services are delivered to all internal and/ or external stakeholders as defined and as per agreed timelines.
• Risk and Anticipation Mitigation to ensure that all work done is in accordance with current standards/processes and assist Senior Scientist/Scientist to identify anticipated risks impacting group/ unit/ team.
• Follow cGMP guidelines and ensure all Change Controls/ NCRs etc. are effectively managed to support QAs processes.
• Mitigate obvious risks on site and submit job cards to address facility issues/ risks as per the process set by Engineering.
• Close all actions assigned to self/ staff member as per EHS committee agreed deadlines.
• Responsible for providing assistance, guidance, problem solving or input to the operational departments as required and agreed.
• Responsible and accountable for the generation of applicable documentation in accordance with current scientific, GMP and GDP guidelines.
• Responsible for biological product and process development, which could include upstream (microbial cultivation) and down‑stream processes (purification) and analytical method development (microbial, immunological, chemical).
• Responsible for experimental design, planning, execution, problem solving and recording.
• Accountable for specified deliverables within projects according to agreed timelines.
• Assist with technology transfers from development to manufacturing (including manufacture of material to be used in clinical trials).
• Driving Innovation and Continuous Improvement
• Driving Quality Risk Management
• Managing Deviations, Change Controls, CAPAs
• Quality Objectives: Drive the quality objectives.
• Communication:
  • Ensure a timely and effective communication.
  • Escalate quality issues to the appropriate levels of management.

People Management

• Align departmental focus areas and outputs to the business goals
• Conduct business, cross functional and departmental planning and execute activities within own scope of accountability.
• Adequate capacity planning and performance delivery in line with strategic, tactical and operational plans
• Role profiling, goal setting and performance management of managers and staff within the department.
• Develop and implement a knowledge management infrastructure within the department to ensure Intellectual Property is effectively maintained
• Growth, succession & retention of departmental talent.
• Accountability for own and team's personal and professional learning & development to ensure technical and leadership bench strength within the department
• Ensure accurate and documented delegation of ongoing operational activities in the event of key staff members absence in line with the related policies and SOPs.
• Conduct effective employee relations in accordance with labour legislation, company policies and procedures and address any performance and conduct concerns and risks timeously.
• Ensure that Occupational and other risks related to roles within the department are defined and mitigated.

Application Deadline: 27 February 2026

If you do not receive a response from us within three weeks after closing date please understand that your application was not successful.

Disclaimer:

Dear Applicant, we appreciate your interest in joining our organization. It is imperative for us that you understand how we handle your information. We are committed to ensuring the security and confidentiality of the information you provide. Your personal details will be collected for the sole purpose of the application process and will be used strictly for that purpose. By applying, you acknowledge and consent to the collection, use, and protection of your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy. If you have any inquiries or concerns, our Human Capital department is available to provide clarification. We look forward to reviewing your application.

For detailed information on data handling, please review our privacy notice: https://www.biovac.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/published_Biovac-Privacy-Notice-20220617-2306-en.pdf