Sr Operations Director Drug Substance

**Job Function**:
Supply Chain Manufacturing
**Job Sub Function**:
Plant Management
**Job Category**:
People Leader
**All Job Posting Locations**:
Geel, Antwerp, Belgium

Our expertise in Innovative Medicine is informed and inspired by patients, whose insights fuel our science-based advancements. Visionaries like you work on teams that save lives by developing the medicines of tomorrow.

Join us in developing treatments, finding cures, and pioneering the path from lab to life while championing patients every step of the way.

We are searching for the best talent for Sr Operations Director Drug Substance role to be based in Geel, Belgium. This senior leader will be key in shaping the future of our strategic Grow and Launch API site together with the GM. Our Geel site is a strategic site for our Synthetics manufacturing network and a key Drug Substance site for Innovative Medicine Supply Chain.

**Purpose**:The Sr. Operations Director Drug Substance has end responsibility for the Business Unit which produces API. This is the largest production unit on the Site. Accountable to deliver the production output according to the Master Production Schedule (MPS) in a safe and compliant manner; including both the production of legacy products as NPI.

This leader has excellent knowledge of the production process and will lead a unit of ~170 FTE.

**You will be responsible for**:

- Overall performance of the plant and reliable delivery against production plan goals.
- Ensure and drive Quality and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliance across the Business Unit (BU). Ensure and drive reliability across the BU.
- Create and maintain an environment that prioritizes and holds operations management accountable for Environment, Health and Safety (EHS).
- Serves as a role model for our company Credo values, Safety, Quality and lean.
- Development of long-term strategy for Operations in alignment with the site - and the Synthetics Manufacturing network strategy and defines operational plan to execute it.
- Complete strategic projects within the BU - ensure plant goals are aligned to Site/network priorities.
- Set the innovation strategy for the BU, ensuring innovative ideas have fertile ground in the operations team.
- Ensure alignment of Goals and Objectives within the BU.
- Influence across the matrix and collaborate with other functions (e.g. Quality, Engineering, Procurement, IT, HR, Planning, Facility management and EHS).
- Strategic planning of personnel, identifies, coaches and develops talent.
- Responsible for flawless introduction of new products.
- Accountable for compliance and alignment with financial agenda and calendars for business planning, budget and financial reporting.
- Drive continuous improvement through J&J Production System, Lean and building of functional expertise, like Data and Digital capabilities.
- Deputy for General Manager and active participation in the IMSC network.

**Qualifications / Requirements**:

- Minimum of 15 years of experience in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
- Primary Degree as a minimum - Science/Engineering preferred. MSC/ MBA desired.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience leading multi-disciplined teams; exhibits progressive management and leadership abilities and practices. Demonstrated ability to provide direction to a team and nurture an inclusive culture to realize the Business Unit objectives.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to lead a team and operate as a part of team, customer focused, innovative, excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, excellent problem-solving skills, results and performance driven, adaptable, flexible, tactful, diplomatic, attracts and develops key talent.
- Excellent People Management skills and hands-on track record in building high performing teams. Coaching leadership style that develops talent with proven success as people leader.
- A strong change and engaging leader
- Ability to contribute proactively and strategically as a member of a Leadership team.
- Ability to influence peers and people at various levels within the organization.
- Demonstrates ability to drive a Credo-based culture of innovation, engagement and development while modeling J&J leadership behaviors and values.
- Must have fluency in Dutch and English.
- This role may involve up to 5% travel.