Production Pharmacist Intern

Biovac; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Biovac is seeking a production pharmacist assistant to support GMP-compliant manufacturing and regulatory adherence. You will help execute production plans, maintain batch documentation, and assist with deviations, CAPAs, audits and quality systems in a busy pharmaceutical environment.

The role emphasizes staff development, safety, and continuous improvement while ensuring timely execution of SA Pharmacy Act requirements and related regulations. A registered intern with SAPC is required.

Qualifications

• Completed B Pharm Degree.
• Registered as a practising intern with the SAPC.

Responsibilities

• Ensuring GMP compliance, company procedures, safety standards and pharmaceutical legislation.
• Supporting production plans to achieve targets and first-time-right manufacturing.
• Assisting with quality management systems including batch docs, deviations, CAPAs and audits.
• Overseeing critical manufacturing and packaging activities in line with regulatory requirements.
• Contributing to continuous improvement, cost savings, sustainability and inventory control.
• Supporting training, performance management and development of staff.
• Participating in production planning, risk mitigation and department projects.
• Assisting management of pharmaceutical staff and labour-relations in line with policy.
• Timely execution of SA Pharmacy Act and Medicines and Related Substances Control Act requirements.

Education

BPharm Degree

Job description

Job purpose

To execute and assist the production pharmacist in that the operational activities and ensure the relevant legal requirements outlined by the SA Pharmacy Act 53 of 1974 and its current amendments and the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act, no. 101 of 1965 and its current amendments are met.

Minimum qualification(s)

Required:

• Completed B Pharm Degree
• Registered as a practising intern with the SAPC

Required:

• None

Experience & industry knowledge

Preferred:

• Interest and exposure to GMP environment
• Leadership attributes

Key responsibilities include:

• Ensuring compliance with GMP, company procedures, safety standards, and relevant pharmaceutical legislation.
• Supporting production activities through execution of production plans, achievement of targets, and “first time right” manufacturing.
• Assisting with quality management systems, including batch documentation, deviations, incidents, CAPAs, change controls, audits, root cause analysis, and risk assessments.
• Overseeing and verifying critical manufacturing and packaging activities in line with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Contributing to continuous improvement, process development, cost savings, sustainability, and inventory management.
• Supporting training, performance management, leadership, motivation, and development of staff.
• Participating in departmental and site-wide projects, production planning, and operational risk mitigation.
• Assisting in the management of pharmaceutical staff and maintaining effective employee relations in line with labour legislation and company policies.
• Involved in the timeous execution of all activities defined by the SA Pharmacy Act 53 of 1974 and its current amendments and the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act, No 101 of 1965 and its current amendments.
• Involved in the timeous execution of all critical activities, predefined and agreed upon with the Responsible Pharmacist, Quality Assurance and Production departments. This includes, but not limited to:
• independently checking and signing each dispensed material and its mass or volume
• checking and signing the addition of each material to the mix
• checking and signing the identity of the bulk product and printed packaging material
• checking and signing that each packaging line or station is clear of previous product, packaging components records, or materials not required for the planned packaging operations, and that equipment is clean and suitable for use before any packaging is undertaken
• other critical activities or stages as defined within each department as agreed upon the Responsible Pharmacist and relevant Quality Assurance and Department Manager.
• the compounding, manipulation, preparation or packaging of any medicine or scheduled substance or the supervision thereof.
• the manufacturing of any medicine or scheduled substance or the supervision thereof.
• the purchasing, acquiring, importing, keeping, possessing, using, releasing, storage, packaging, repackaging, supplying, or selling of any medicine or scheduled substance or the supervision thereof.

The role ensures operational excellence, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and people development within the production environment. The role supports the Production Pharmacist in ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient pharmaceutical production operations.

Technical Competencies required to perform this aspect of the role:

Knowledge

• Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Clerical — Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology

Application closing date: 7 November 2026

We believe in the magic of diversity within teams and to achieve this, we do apply Employment Equity principles during our selection process where this is necessary to achieve such diversity.