Senior Manager Device Assembly

Job Function

Supply Chain Manufacturing

Job Sub Function

Manufacturing Pharmaceutical Process Operations

Job Category

People Leader

All Job Posting Locations:

Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium

Job Description

Senior Operations Manager

Business Unit Device Assembly & Packaging (DAP)

Location:

Beerse, Belgium

Department:

Innovative Medicine Supply Chain (IMSC)

Reports to:

Operations Director, Device Assembly & Packaging

Purpose

The Senior Operations Manager Device Assembly & Packaging is responsible and accountable for the day-to-day leadership and operational performance of the Device Assembly & Packaging manufacturing organization. The role ensures the reliable supply of high-quality pharmaceutical products through safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing operations while driving continuous improvement and developing organizational capability. The candidate translates strategic Business Unit objectives into operational plans and delivers results in the areas of Safety, Health & Environment (SHE), Quality & Compliance, Service, Cost, People Development, and Continuous Improvement. The role provides leadership to production, operational support, and frontline management teams and actively fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and employee engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Excellence & Business Performance

• Lead daily Device Assembly & Packaging operations to ensure delivery of production plans in accordance with customer demand, quality requirements, and regulatory expectations
• Deliver operational targets related to safety, quality, compliance, service, cost, productivity, and inventory performance
• Drive improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), yield, cycle time, throughput, and manufacturing reliability.
• Monitor operational performance through KPI management and implement corrective actions to ensure target achievement.
• Support operational readiness and successful commercialization of new products, technologies, and processes.

Quality & Compliance

• Maintain manufacturing operations in full compliance with cGMP, regulatory requirements, internal standards, and quality procedures.
• Ensure effective investigation of deviations, non-conformances, complaints, and audit observations, and drive sustainable CAPA implementation.
• Promote a strong quality culture and embed compliance considerations into all operational decisions.
• Act as subject matter expert and spokesperson during internal and external inspections and audits.

Safety, Health & Environment

• Champion a proactive safety culture and ensure compliance with all SHE regulations and company requirements.
• Ensure appropriate escalation, investigation, and closure of safety-related events and observations.
• Drive accountability for safety performance at all organizational levels.

People Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, operational support and operators to build a high-performing organization.
• Establish clear objectives and performance expectations aligned with Business Unit goals.
• Drive talent development, succession planning, and organizational capability building.
• Foster an inclusive work environment that encourages engagement, collaboration, accountability, and innovation.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive deployment of lean methodologies & continuous improvement initiatives
• Identify and implement opportunities that improve efficiency, reduce waste, increase flexibility, and enhance customer service.
• Promote a culture of learning and continuous performance improvement.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Planning, MSAT, Finance, and EHS functions
• Align operational priorities across the value stream to ensure efficient and uninterrupted product flow.
• Support annual operating plans, budget preparation, resource planning, and capital investment activities.
• Represent the DAP organization in site and network-level initiatives and improvement projects.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Life Sciences, Supply Chain, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of pharmaceutical, medical device, or regulated manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 5 years of people leadership experience
• Proven experience managing manufacturing operations within a cGMP-regulated environment.
• Experience in device assembly, combination products, packaging, or