Plant Head – Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Manufacturing

About the role

The Plant Head will lead a multi‑product pharmaceutical and medical‑device manufacturing facility, ensuring safe, compliant and commercially sustainable operations. You will be accountable for safety, quality, delivery, cost, people and regulatory compliance while driving operational excellence.

Key responsibilities

• Define and execute plant strategy across all manufacturing functions.
• Maintain safe, efficient and uninterrupted production for multiple product lines.
• Ensure GMP/cGMP, ISO and regulatory compliance with continuous inspection readiness.
• Optimize OEE, yield, throughput, capacity and asset utilisation.
• Oversee engineering, maintenance, utilities, validation and asset reliability.
• Manage supply planning, material availability, inventory control and continuity.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Own plant budgets, CAPEX, cost optimisation and financial performance.
• Drive EHS, risk management, business continuity and zero‑harm programs.
• Build a high‑performing leadership team and develop talent.

Required profile

• BE/BPharm in Chemistry, Biotechnology or related field; postgraduate qualification preferred.
• 15+ years in pharmaceutical, medical‑device or regulated manufacturing.
• 8+ years in senior plant/manufacturing leadership, managing multiple lines/technologies and 300+ staff.
• Proven experience with sterile/aseptic operations, GMP/cGMP, ISO compliance and inspection readiness.
• Demonstrated ownership of budgets, CAPEX, Lean/Six Sigma and continuous improvement.
• Experience in technology transfer, scale‑up, NPI, plant expansion and automation.

Required skills

• GMP
• cGMP
• ISO standards (e.g., ISO 9001)
• Lean manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• OEE optimisation
• CAPEX budgeting and cost control
• Automation and digital manufacturing
• Technology transfer and scale‑up
• NPI (New Product Introduction)
• Asset reliability and validation
• Engineering, maintenance and utilities management