Production Head

Job Description Summary

Sandoz is going through an exciting and transformative period as a global leader and pioneering provider of sustainable Biosimilar and Generic medicines. By creating a new and ambitious path, it will provide a unique opportunity for us all, both professionally and personally.

Major Accountabilities

Lead the Manufacturing Unit team to manufacture and deliver high-quality and affordable pharmaceutical products on time, every time, safely and efficiently. Lead the manufacturing unit operational excellence based transformative journey to improve performance, productivity, and quality to ensure site competitiveness. Develop and follow up on the medium and long-term strategy for the department in line with site strategy, guaranteeing profitability and meeting the needs of the site and the company, in line with STO vision. Ensure overall financial and business performance, safety, quality, costs, supply and resource management (people, equipment, facilities, etc.) and represent this in the site leadership team. Ensure efficient distribution of unit resources (CAPEX, OPEX, expenses, FTEs). Build/sustain a strong network inside and outside the organization and with Operations Centers. Enable knowledge management for processes and products within the department. Ensure overall inspection readiness and technical readiness in the manufacturing area. Ensure development and deployment of technical skills and knowledge to meet needs of the bulk portfolio and strategy.

Key Activities

• Change and Transformation Leadership: Develop and implement strategy within the manufacturing unit aligned with STO strategy; oversee all site manufacturing operations; be accountable for resource planning and allocation; ensure optimal collaboration and synergy among functions to continuously improve internal process.
• Responsibility for implementation of and compliance with principles and practices of Novartis manufacturing standards.
• Role model values: learning-oriented, clear and focused, build trusting relationships, manage energy and impact; set performance targets; engage and motivate team; create an environment of trust and open communication.
• Knowledge and Development of Talent and Pipeline: Lead people processes (recruitment, training, coaching, performance) to sustain site competitiveness and diversity; support career path and succession; invest in coaching; maintain training compliance.
• Active Culture Building: Create high employee engagement; sponsor execution of culture plan including HSE, quality, OpEx, leadership; hold leaders and associates accountable.
• Quality and HSE: Ensure conformity with GMP and HSE rules, policies, and procedures; promote safety and quality cultures; guarantee inspection readiness; sustain Business Continuity Plan; participate in training and retraining.
• Digital Curiosity: Explore data and technology to support transformation; encourage learning; implement Six Sigma and continuous improvement; sponsor OpEx initiatives.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Service level: no stock-out/no delay in production.
• Cost control and competitiveness.
• Number of customer complaints on quality, cost of poor quality and success rate of HA inspections.
• Right First Time (RFT).
• Number of overdue compliance activities, effective CAPAs.
• Launch performance on time.
• P'O: Satisfaction survey, execution of talent and development plans, technical training program executed, training data, attraction and retention of talent, succession plan.
• HSE: Work accident rate, manager presence, inspection success, waste reduction, efficiency.
• OpEx: Productivity improvements.

Dimensions of the Job

• Number of staff reporting direct: up to 400; indirect: up to 15.
• Financial responsibility: Budget, cost, sales, etc. 250,000 USD.
• Impact on the organization: high; member of Site Leadership Team.

Ideal Background & Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in pharmaceutical or life science industry in a GMP environment, preferably in commercial manufacturing.
• Minimum 5 years experience in operations management and execution.
• Proven experience driving quality and compliance.
• Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, engineering, chemistry, biology or related; higher degree preferred.
• Qualifications in Lean Management, Operational Excellence certificate or comparable.
• Fluent in English and proficient in site local language.
• Excellent oral, written and presentational skills.
• Business mindset, stakeholder engagement, change management, people management, performance management, budgeting, lean management.
• Strong negotiation, influencing and persuading, relationship building at all levels.
• Adaptability under pressure, cross-boundary collaboration.
• Project management / Operational Excellence knowledge.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements across multiple health authorities.

Compensation and Benefits

• Job location: Stryków, Poland.
• Pay range (monthly salary): zł/gross 27,300 – 50,700.
• Variable compensation: Annual performance-based bonus 20%.
• Employee share program.
• Company car or car allowance 4,300 zł gross per month.
• Additional benefits: lunch card equivalent to 450 zł per month; laptop; medical care; life insurance; retirement plan; multisport or Kultura + card (co-financed by the employee); additional 2 days off; language learning platform.
• Pay frequency: monthly.
• Expected weekly working hours: 40h.
• Contract type: full-time.

Skills Desired

• Assembly Language, Biotechnology, Change Management, Chemistry, Continual Improvement Process, Cost Reduction, Finance, General HSE Knowledge, Incentive Program, Installations (Computer Programs), Knowledge of GMP, Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Manufacturing Process, Manufacturing Production, Operational Excellence, Productivity, Purchase, Six Sigma.