Production Manager – Sterile Manufacturing
We are seeking a highly motivated Production Manager to lead a dedicated sterile manufacturing operation within a global pharmaceutical environment. This role offers the opportunity to manage a high-performing production suite, deliver life‑enhancing products to global markets, and drive excellence in compliance, quality, and operational performance.
You’ll be responsible for leading a skilled team, ensuring that products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and to the highest regulatory and quality standards. With a focus on continuous improvement, you’ll shape a culture of accountability, innovation, and operational excellence.
This is a pivotal role for an experienced leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, regulated manufacturing setting and enjoys developing people, processes, and performance.
Key Responsibilities
Safety & Compliance
- Champion a proactive health and safety culture, ensuring adherence to all company, environmental, and statutory standards.
- Conduct and review risk assessments, implementing effective controls and fostering a safety‑first mindset throughout the production area.
- Ensure the facility operates in full compliance with GMP, environmental, and regulatory requirements always.
Quality Leadership
- Embed a strong “right first time” and continuous improvement mindset across all production activities.
- Ensure all manufacturing processes, documentation, and cleaning procedures meet the highest standards of quality and compliance.
- Lead investigations, implement CAPAs, and drive root cause analysis in collaboration with Quality Assurance.
- Always maintain a state of audit readiness through regular internal compliance reviews and effective follow‑up actions.
Operational Excellence
- Manage day-to‑day production operations within a sterile manufacturing suite, ensuring schedules, capacity, and quality standards are consistently met.
- Lead your team to achieve on‑time delivery of customer orders while maintaining operational efficiency and compliance.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on yield optimisation, waste reduction, and equipment performance.
- Ensure robust adherence to SOPs, GMP, and validation protocols.
- Track and report operational and compliance KPIs, using data to inform performance improvements.
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Manufacturing Supervisors and Operators across multiple shifts.
- Build a motivated, cohesive, and high‑performing team culture based on respect, collaboration, and accountability.
- Identify and address training needs, ensuring all team members are fully competent and compliant in their roles.
- Communicate effectively across teams to ensure alignment on production priorities and performance goals.
About You
- Degree or higher‑level qualification in Pharmacy, Science, Engineering, or Mathematics OR a minimum of five years’ experience in a pharmaceutical manufacturing or packaging environment
- Minimum three years’ experience in a management role, including managing shift‑based teams
- In‑depth understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing, regulatory, and validation requirements
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop diverse teams
- Proven experience in EHS and contamination control
- Demonstrated capability in maintaining GMP compliance and audit readiness
- Excellent organisational, communication, and IT skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Proven success in driving production performance and delivering quality products to strict regulatory standards
- Experience in oral dose, sterile injectables, or other pharmaceutical dosage formats
- Formal training or certification in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or operational excellence
- For internal candidates: current Level 3 Manufacturing Supervisor
Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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