Production Team Lead

Join a Market Leader

About Hovione

 

At Hovione, we help partners turn scientific innovation into medicines that reach patients around the world. For more than 65 years, we have connected science, technology, and manufacturing to scale complex ideas into high-quality and innovative solutions that truly make a difference.

 

As an international Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), we support the development and manufacture of drug substances, intermediates, and drug products across the full life cycle. We are globally recognized for our leadership in specialized technologies such as Spray Drying and Continuous Tableting. But what truly sets us apart is not just what we do — it is how we do it: with purpose, care, collaboration, and a deep commitment to doing the right things right.

 

Our people are the reason for our success. We are a global and diverse team of more than 2,600 team members across Europe, the USA, and Asia, bringing together different experiences and perspectives to help our partners to overcome complex challenges. We believe that an inclusive environment — where everyone, regardless of background, identity or ability, is respected, heard and empowered to contribute — is essential to drive innovation, ensure quality, and secure long‑term sustainable success.

 

And as we grow, so do the opportunities for our people to develop, broaden their perspectives, and build meaningful careers. Because at Hovione, better starts with those who choose to make a difference every day. Will you be one of them?

You will be responsible to:

Enables the efficient manufacture of pharmaceutical products, including highly potent compounds, in compliance with applicable cGMP and HSE regulations and in accordance with business requirements. Responsible for the definition, implementation and optimization of manufacturing processes and systems, aiming at full adherence to pre-established schedules while managing internal resources (people & equipment) and fulfilling customer requirements.

 

- Efficiently and professionally, manage and supervise all production activities for the team, assuring all applicable procedures are rigorously applied and activities are Right First Time

- Be an advocate for safe operating and high-quality performance, identifying and mitigating any potential risks

- Identify and propose continuous improvements and optimizations to the production activities and processes to support achievement of a more efficient and effective production team

- Continuously enhance and develop the members of the team through effective people management and the provision of continuous coaching, training identification and support

- Ensure team activities are carried out in compliance with all GMP, legal, HSE regulations, and applicable standards in the country of operation, complying with and enforcing all Hovione processes and good practice

- To manage and coordinate the allocation and distribution of the workload within the team in accordance with the approved Production plan, responding promptly to shift adjustments, challenges or needs

- To ensure adherence to departmental metrics, KPIs, targets and local and/or any other corporate objectives (as appropriate), cascading them to the team (when applicable)

- To supervise and assure the effective operation of the installations and equipment by the team, including (but not limited to) verification of safety equipment, instrument calibration and identification / rectification of nonconformities

- Make requests for maintenance work (including preventative maintenance) and coordinate the activities with the maintenance team to optimize timing with the Production plan

- Propose changes to equipment, process or procedures related with the area

- Prepare, train and supervise sample process (according to the Area in which the TM is allocated)

- Respond swiftly and collaborate with the team, helping to define the actions to be taken, in case of equipment downtime and/or deviations from the process described in production record

- To maintain and update all production indicators, thereby enabling assessment of status and encouraging continuous improvements

- To address issues of non-achievement of objectives and indicators through proactive analysis and rectification, engaging the team in the implementation and follow-up of action plans

- Contribute in the preparation/revision of documentation associated with the work of the area (including but not limited to Production Records, Cleaning Protocols, Production Plans and other cGMP records)

- Ensure all documentation under direct responsibility is correctly completed and maintained

- Support the implementation of documentation changes and introductions

- Review and implement hazard assessments before production activities take place

- Ensure the facilities are maintained in a clean and organized way

- Maintain an open communication with colleagues, identifying and reporting any production, HSE, quality or other issues to management according to the required processes. The TM is expected to previously assess and proactively propose solutions for the identified issues

- Assure production tasks are executed correctly in Hovione systems (including but not limited to SAP, LIMS, SchedulePro etc.)

- Assure the teams’ effective use and management of Personal Protective Equipment

- Use computer programs correctly (including but not limited to email, SAP, LIMS, SchedulePro and XNET)

- Collaborate in internal and external audits / inspections

- Suggest and lead improvements in the area in which the TM is assigned

- Troubleshoot systems and take appropriate action as required

- Actively collaborates in investigations of abnormal/unexpected events

- Maintain an effective dialogue with the next level manager about the team performance and alert them promptly to any potentially adverse issues.

- Arrange and encourage regular team meetings / briefings

- To support career and talent development of their team, maintaining a culture of support, development and excellence

- To prepare the team´s yearly training program, identifying any training needs and working with the HR Department to ensure the plan is actioned

- Provide continuous input and feedback regarding the performance of the team, following annual performance development review (PDR) requirements

- Supervise the TMs assigned to his/her area of responsibility and distribute work tasks. Provide input to ensure HR processes run smoothly, namely in terms of recruitment, integration, training needs and performance management in accordance with the company's HR policies. Ensure all TMs are aligned and motivated towards achieving Hovione's goals, values and culture by promoting their personal and professional development whilst maximizing productivity

- Ensure compliance with GMP and HSE guidelines, internal and external requirements as well as promote the implementation and maintenance of Hovione´s policies, systems and procedures (COPs, HBR, SOPs and others) within his/ her TMs

- Undertake any additional tasks commensurate with the role as and when required

- Carry out assigned tasks and duties in a safe manner, in accordance with instructions, and to comply with environmental, health & safety rules/procedures, regulations and codes of practice

We are looking to recruit a Candidate:

- Full secondary school qualifications or equivalent (mandatory)

- Science or engineering qualification or equivalent job experience

- Experience of working in a manufacturing or production environment (mandatory)

- Formal knowledge or experience of working with process systems utilized in fine chemicals or pharmaceutical operations (mandatory)

- Successful completion of all mandatory training as a Senior Production Operator (highly desirable)

- Significant experience of working in a fine chemicals or pharmaceutical production environment (mandatory)

- A solid understanding of all ChemOps and PharmOps unit operations (mandatory)

- A very strong understanding of GMP regulations (mandatory)

- Proven experience in coordinating others in the field

- Able to comply with the tasks described in the technical competences matrix applicable to functional Area

- Numerical capability for simple arithmetic

- Clear and open communication skills (written and verbal)

- Competent (written and verbal) English (highly desirable).

- Computer literate

- Knowledge of the practice management instructions of the area (including but not limited to 5S methodology, management indicators, rules of waste management, safety standards, system improvement ideas)

 

Hovione is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer

 

Inclusion and diversity are key to us. We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. If you require any reasonable accommodation or support during the application or interview process, please contact us, and we will be happy to assist.

 

Notice to Agencies and Search Firms Representatives

 

Hovione does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies or search firms for this job posting. Any resumes submitted to Hovione by a third-party agency or search firm without a valid written and signed search agreement will become the sole property of Hovione. No fees will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited referral.