Head of Lab Equipment

You will lead the Lab Equipment & Systems function in Belgium, driving reliable and future‑ready laboratory operations. You will work closely with QC, R&D, Technical Services and Engineering to manage equipment lifecycle, lab systems and capital projects.

For a complete understanding of this opportunity, and what will be required to be a successful applicant, read on.

We value clear decision makers who coach teams, collaborate across disciplines, and balance compliance with practical delivery.

This role offers visible impact, strong career growth and the chance to shape how labs support science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

Responsibilities

- Own the lifecycle of laboratory equipment and systems for QC and R&D, from acquisition to decommissioning.

- Lead delivery of medium and small capital projects and upgrades, ensuring timelines, budget and quality are met.

- Partner with Technical Services, Engineering, EHS and Quality to manage equipment qualification, validation and inspection readiness.

- Manage vendor relationships, service contracts and spare parts strategies to reduce downtime and cost.

- Oversee lab information systems and digital tools used in laboratory operations, supporting implementation and data integrity.

- Build and coach a multidisciplinary team and external service partners to deliver high quality, safe and efficient lab support.

- Define short- and long‑term equipment and systems roadmaps aligned with business needs.

- Prioritize and prepare business cases for Capex, addressing obsolescence, capacity and compliance risks.

- Ensure equipment qualification, preventative maintenance and performance metrics are in place.

- Drive continuous improvement of lab workflows, asset utilization and cost efficiency.

- Support investigations and root cause analysis for equipment or system failures.

- Represent lab equipment and systems in governance forums and regulatory interactions.

Additional Information

- Reporting line: VP QC Belgium Operations

- Level of the role: Director

- People management (direct / indirect reports, etc.): 9 DR. Around 70 IR

- Business travel requirements: limited

- Primary location: Wavre

- Secondary location: no

- Relocation support provided: no

- Regular presence onsite: required

- Application closing date: Friday April 24th 2026 EOD CET

Qualifications

Basic Qualification

- Bachelor degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related technical discipline

- Minimum 8 years’ experience managing laboratory equipment, facilities or engineering projects in a highly regulated environment

- Proven experience with equipment qualification, validation or commissioning activities

- Strong track record in project delivery, budget management and vendor oversight

- Familiarity with laboratory systems and data integrity principles for digital tools

- Fluency in English and French – both written and spoken

Preferred Qualification

- Master’s degree in Engineering, Biotechnology or similar technical field

- Experience in pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical or vaccine environments

- Knowledge of GxP compliance, quality systems and inspection readiness

- Experience delivering Capital Projects and business cases in complex organisations

- Familiarity with computerized lab systems (LIMS, LES) and digital transformation projects

- Demonstrated people leadership experience with external service providers

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to inclusion in our hiring. xolzvmg

If you have a disability and require assistance during the course of the selection process, you will have the opportunity to let us know what specific assistance you require in order to make suitable arrangements.

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