Senior Pharmaceutical Production Manager

Placements24; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive health insurance

Retirement fund contributions

Performance-based bonuses

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Senior Pharmaceutical Production Manager to oversee all aspects of the Bloemfontein manufacturing operations. The role leads production supervisors and operators, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient manufacture of high-quality medicines in a GMP environment.

The ideal candidate has 7–10 years in pharma manufacturing, 3–5 years in leadership, and a strong track record of delivering process improvements, scale-up, and technology transfer, in alignment

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• 7–10 years in pharmaceutical manufacturing with 3–5 years in production management.
• Strong knowledge of GMP and regulatory requirements (FDA).
• Experience with process validation, technology transfer, and scale-up.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of pharmaceutical production including planning and scheduling.
• Lead and develop a diverse production team, ensuring safety and quality.
• Ensure adherence to GMP, regulatory guidelines, SOPs.
• Oversee maintenance and calibration of equipment.
• Implement lean manufacturing and process improvements to cut costs.
• Monitor KPIs and production metrics; report and identify improvements.
• Manage production budgets and control expenditures.
• Collaborate with QA, QC, Engineering, and Supply Chain.

Skills

Leadership

GMP knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Operational improvements

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering/Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MES

ERP systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, is seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Pharmaceutical Production Manager to oversee and optimize manufacturing operations in Bloemfontein, Free State . This critical role involves leading a team of production supervisors and operators to ensure the efficient, safe, and compliant manufacturing of high-quality pharmaceutical products. You will be responsible for managing production schedules, implementing process improvements, and ensuring adherence to stringent Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership capabilities, a deep understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, and a commitment to operational excellence. This is a key leadership position within our operations, driving the success of our production facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of pharmaceutical production, including planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and operational execution.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse production team, fostering a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure strict adherence to GMP, regulatory guidelines, and company SOPs throughout all production activities.
• Oversee the maintenance and calibration of production equipment and facilities.
• Implement and drive lean manufacturing principles and other process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and production metrics, reporting on performance and identifying areas for improvement.
• Manage production budgets and control operational expenditures effectively.
• Ensure robust safety protocols are in place and followed by all personnel on the production floor.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Engineering, and Supply Chain departments to ensure seamless operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related technical field.
• A Master's degree or equivalent is preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, with at least 3-5 years in a production management role.
• Extensive knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, equipment, and technologies.
• Strong understanding of GMP, FDA, and other relevant regulatory requirements.
• Proven track record in leading teams, driving operational improvements, and managing production targets.
• Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience with process validation, technology transfer, and scale-up activities.
• Proficiency in manufacturing execution systems (MES) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is advantageous.

Benefits

Our client offers an attractive executive-level salary, a comprehensive benefits package including executive health insurance and retirement fund contributions, performance-based bonuses, relocation assistance, and significant opportunities for career progression within a leading global pharmaceutical organization.