Plant Manager (Pharmaceutical Manufacturing)

For a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing company: Plant Manager Responsibilities Oversee and manage the overall operations of the pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, ensuring efficient, safe and compliant operations across all departments. Provide strategic and operational leadership to approximately 130 employees working across three shifts, ensuring effective workforce planning, team development and performance management. Drive organizational and operational transformation, implementing improvements in processes, structures, systems and ways of working. Ensure full compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), regulatory requirements, internal quality standards and applicable pharmaceutical legislation. Establish and monitor key operational performance indicators (KPIs), including production efficiency, OEE, productivity, quality performance, waste and downtime. Develop and implement production plans, ensuring optimal utilization of resources, equipment and manufacturing capacity. Drive continuous improvement initiatives, Lean Manufacturing methodologies and operational excellence programs. Oversee engineering and maintenance activities, ensuring equipment reliability, preventive maintenance and minimal production interruptions. Work closely with QA and QC teams to ensure product quality, regulatory compliance and effective management of deviations, CAPAs and change controls. Manage operational budgets, cost optimization initiatives, capital expenditure (CAPEX) and resource allocation. Identify operational risks and implement effective corrective and preventive actions. Foster a strong culture of accountability, collaboration, safety and continuous improvement across all manufacturing functions. Report directly to the General Management, providing regular updates on operational performance, challenges, investments and strategic initiatives. Requirements Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related technical field. Minimum 10–15 years of professional experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing environments. Significant experience in a senior manufacturing leadership position, such as Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Manufacturing Director or Senior Production Manager with broad operational responsibilities. Proven experience in managing multiple manufacturing functions, ideally including Production, Packaging, QA, QC, Engineering and Maintenance. Strong background in pharmaceutical manufacturing and in-depth knowledge of GMP requirements and regulatory compliance. Demonstrated experience in leading organizational or operational transformation initiatives, particularly within manufacturing facilities undergoing significant changes, restructuring, expansion or modernization. Proven ability to manage large teams and complex manufacturing operations, preferably in a multi-shift production environment. Strong knowledge of operational excellence, Lean Manufacturing, process optimization and performance management methodologies. Experience in budget management, CAPEX projects, production planning and resource optimization. Excellent leadership, decision-making, communication and stakeholder management skills. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Fluency in English. Benefits Annual Gross Compensation: Base Salary €75.000 - €90.000. Career development and growth opportunities.