Operational Excellence Manager – Pharmaceutical Industry

Headhunters; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 900 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading firm in pharmaceutical manufacturing is seeking an experienced Operational Excellence Manager in Gqeberha. This senior-level position involves driving performance improvement through Operational Excellence methodologies, overseeing budgets, and ensuring compliance with quality standards. The successful candidate will possess strong leadership skills and a track record in operational transformation within highly regulated environments. This role offers the chance to lead impactful initiatives and foster a high-performance culture.

Qualifications

• Ten years of production experience in a Senior Management role.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes in regulated industries.
• Proven experience in leading process improvement projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deploy the Operational Excellence strategy.
• Conduct site diagnostics and implement Tactical Improvement Plans.
• Monitor KPIs and operational metrics.

Skills

Operational transformation

Continuous improvement

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Education

BSc Industrial Engineering

B.Pharm

Degree in Operations Management

Job description

Our client, a prominent leader in the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing industry, is seeking to appoint an experienced Operational Excellence Manager to their Port Elizabeth facility.

This senior-level role is responsible for driving transformational performance improvement across the site through the deployment of world-class Operational Excellence methodologies, aligned with both TechOps and Quality strategic priorities.

The successful candidate will have a strong track record in operational transformation, continuous improvement, and senior-level leadership within a manufacturing environment—preferably pharmaceutical or highly regulated industries.

Requirements

• BSc Industrial Engineering, B.Pharm, BSc or degree in Operations Management or related science discipline.
• Minimum 10 years’ production experience at a Senior Management level.
• Strong manufacturing process understanding, ideally within pharmaceutical / regulated industries.
• Proven experience in continuous improvement methodologies and OPEX transformation.
• Extensive Lean training with a solid record of leading process improvement projects.
• Experience conducting site diagnoses and building improvement roadmaps using bottom-up transformation methodologies.
• Strong business acumen with ability to identify strategic, organisational, operational, and financial levers to drive impact.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• Forward-thinking, resilient, and highly analytical with a strong can-do attitude.

Responsibilities

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Lead the development and deployment of the Operational Excellence strategy in alignment with OpU and TechOps goals.
• Coordinate OPEX / Transformation programs at OpU level, ensuring alignment with organisational strategic priorities.
• Conduct site diagnostics and develop improvement roadmaps—Diagnose, Design, develop—and implement tactical improvement plans (TIPs) to address key performance challenges.
• Roll out global OPEX standards and ensure compliance with mandatory elements across the site.
• Own and manage core elements of the operating system, including documentation, standards, and the OPEX SharePoint environment.

Performance Management

• Monitor and report on deliverables, KPIs, financial and operational metrics.
• Oversee the development and implementation of performance dashboards and reporting mechanisms.
• Ensure adherence to the Quality Management System and represent the department during audits and inspections.

Budget and Cost Control

• Develop, manage, and control the departmental financial budget.
• Drive cost optimisation initiatives within the department.
• Establish and monitor quality and performance KPIs at defined intervals.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to embed World Class Manufacturing practices.
• Develop long-term strategic roadmaps to meet current and future business needs.
• Identify opportunities for operational efficiency and systemic performance improvement.

People Leadership

• Build and develop high-performance transformation capability within the site.
• Facilitate training, coaching, and upskilling in OE methodologies and mindsets.
• Ensure application of best working practices across the department.
• Conduct performance management, mentorship, and career development interventions.
• Support talent development through structured booster events and capability-building programs.

Quality and Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with cGxP and all relevant quality standards, policies, and procedures.
• Guarantee adherence to QM-controlled processes and documentation.
• Act as the departmental representative during regulatory, internal, and external audits.
• Ensure all subordinates receive adequate training as per the training matrix.
• Enforce compliance with the OHS Act (Act 85 of 1993).

Please be advised that if you do not receive a response within two weeks of applying, you may consider your application unsuccessful.