Livingston, GB, EH53 0TH

an exciting professional challenge?

We are one of the leading European contract manufacturers in the pharmaceutical, biotech and healthcare sectors, with some 2,500 employees in Germany, France, Finland, UK and Norway. For us, the next step is always the one that matters most. Our fast pace drives us forward, fills our working environment with life and spurs our growth. Our winning formula for shared success: room for passion. Because we know that passion is the best medicine when it comes to excellent service around the world. Welcome to NextPharma.

Title: Head of Development

Reports to:Director Product Development

Based at:Livingston, Scotland

Salary Range:£ DOE

NextPharma

NextPharma is a leading European pharmaceutical CDMO focused on attractive technology niches.

Since its foundation in 1989, the Livingston site has evolved into a global player in the development and application of both traditional and novel drug encapsulation technologies that are supported by modern and commercial scale manufacturing facilities..

Our Vision:

Our vision is to be the leading and most trusted, reliable and innovative Europe-based CDMO by upholding the highest industry standards and exceeding customer expectations, while driving strong, sustainable growth for the company.

This role reports to the Director of product development with a dotted line to the Site Head. A key requirement of the job holder is the ability to provide leadership to the development function and act as an effective member of the senior management team, providing input at a strategic level. As a Head of Development, he works independently and is comfortable working in a matrix structure, on site and overseas.

As a member of the development department's management team, the Head of Product Development plays an active role in the growth of development at NextPharma and plays a key role in the company's growth support strategy.

The successful candidate will lead, motivate, and manage a team of 5 to 20 scientists and technicians representing the development function (Project Management, Formulation, Analytical and Process Development) for the site. The candidate should be able to manage in a collaborative manner and will work alongside project management and commercial teams to deliver projects and products to the customers (internal and external) within agreed scope timescales and budgets.

The candidate will therefore have a strong track record of oral drug delivery formulations with a focus on poorly soluble drug product strategies and ideally experience of lipid-based technologies and / or hot melt extrusion. The role requires strong customer focus both internally and externally and significant experience of working with pharmaceutical or biotech partners.

Job Purpose:

To manage activities along with providing leadership for the development function, so as to develop products and service delivery of clients’ development projects alongside internal initiatives.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities:

• Lead the development department with a team of specialists in the fields of formulation development and analytical development and project management.

• Provide leadership for the teams within the role’s remit, including knowledge development.
• Manage and advance the site development function.
• Be the interface to the global development organization and assign responsible to the implementation of global processes and harmonization of processes across the group
• Responsible for achieving development sales in line with the budget.
• Technical delivery of client development programmes to provide outstanding customer service and scientific “know-how”.

• Elaborate development plans considering risk assessment and QbD aspects.

• Ensure adequate support to manufacturing – troubleshooting, development and process optimisation for existing products and technology platforms.
• Assist with the development of business plans, providing scientific and regulatory review of technologies, products and target companies.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining relevant scientific skills within the department
• Responsible for ensuring that all relevant regulations and guidelines are adapted and followed in the department
• Develop and implement strategy for academic/scientific contacts, presence at scientific conferences and scientific publications.
• Identify and develop new drug delivery technologies through in-house R&D and external resources.
• Optimize team structure by setting clear targets and by a proactive communication to their team and their hierarchy.

Specification Professional/Technical:

•A pharmacy or science degree and preferably with a higher qualification (PhD).

• Direct technical experience of formulation and drug delivery at a senior level.

• From 5 to 10 years of experience in managing development projects and leading a team of scientists in the pharmaceutical industry, preferably with a CDMO.
• A track record of effective leadership, the ability to lead and develop staff is essential.

• The ability to establish, maintain and enhance the scientific and technical standards within the department following both European and FDA regulatory and quality requirements.

• Experience of working with external partners would be preferred.

• Able to understand and contribute to the preparation of business plans and have a good understanding of basic business finance

• Able to demonstrate success in presenting technical information both face to face e.g. to clients and potential clients. Must be a competent scientific writer.

• Track record of oral drug delivery formulations with a focus on poorly soluble drug product strategies. Experience in lipid-based formulation and/or hot melt extrusion is particularly appreciated.

Personal Attributes:

• A strategic thinker who is self-driven, results-oriented with a positive outlook, and a clear focus on high quality, on-time delivery to clients
• Willingness and ability to take on responsibility and work under minimal supervision.

• Open-minded, a team player able to work successfully in matrix teams
• Able to lead and motivate teams of scientific experts/specialists to achieve project deadlines and to synergistically add value to the business.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Customer focused with demonstrated ability to build effective relationships at all levels internally and with partners and evolve and add value to those relationships over a significant period of time.
• Good risk awareness and an effective problem solver, with sound analytical and organisational ability possessing the skill.
• The energy and drive to take on tough challenges, work under pressure and see issues through to conclusion.
• Analytical and detail oriented enough to ensure all projects are delivered on time and in budget to the right quality/regulatory standards.
• Sufficiently mobile and flexible to travel within the UK and overseas.

Computer skills:Must be competent in the use of MS Office, particularly Excel and Word, e-mail and internet

Literacy and Numeracy:Must be competent in writing reports both for internal use and for customers. Must be competent in the interpretation of analytical data.

Business Presentation Skills: Must be an excellent face-to-face and telephone communicator.

Remuneration Package:

Basic Salary: £DOE

Private Medical Insurance

Health Cash Plan

Contributory pension scheme

Life Insurance

Hybrid Working

Income Protection

Employee Assistance Program

Please note: Only candidates with continuing Right to Work in the UK will be considered.

NextPharma is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief.

We look forward to receiving your application.