About Asymchem
Asymchem provides global contract development and manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. We commit to excellence and a customer focused attitude is everything. We pursue excellence because our work has the power to improve patients’ lives with the pharmaceuticals we develop and manufacture.
What we offer
We offer competitive compensation, flexible benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, opportunities to buy or sell holidays, as well as a good work-life balance. Enjoy a fun and rewarding career with daily opportunities to collaborate with highly talented scientists. Additionally, there will be myriad opportunities to learn new skills, develop existing strengths, coach and mentor others, while pursuing our company's mission.
Position summary
Asymchem is seeking a dynamic and visionary Technical Director to join our global team and lead scientific innovation across our expanding portfolio. The role is based at our Sandwich site in the UK (remote may also be possible) but reports directly to the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) in the US. The successful candidate will play a critical role in shaping the future of research, development, and manufacturing within a growing, global organization.
What you’ll do
- Provide expert scientific leadership and mentorship to cross-functional project teams in China, UK and US.
- Author, review, and approve technical proposals, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and impact.
- Champion transparent and effective project communication, while ensuring alignment on cost, timelines, and data reporting.
- Collaborate closely with commercial teams in Europe, China, and the US, offering excellent technical support to drive the business forward.
- Significantly contribute to the strategic direction of the UK site by supporting the growth of R&D and manufacturing capabilities in small molecules, peptides, and other modalities.
What you’ll bring
- A wealth of technical expertise and leadership experience within pharmaceutical, biotech, CDMO or related industry settings.
- Proven ability to influence global teams, develop strategy and successfully manage complex scientific projects.
- A strong strategic mindset and an agile, solutions-focused approach.
- Join a passionate team making a global impact where your ideas, leadership, and technical know-how will help define the next chapter of Asymchem’s journey.
Asymchem will invest in your growth and development so you can
- Apply your deep expertise in drug substance R&D within the pharma and CDMO sectors to support business development initiatives at both global and local levels.
- Partner with Sandwich UK site leadership, to help shape and expand Asymchem’s organizational strategy and operations.
- Help drive the UK/European business expansion plans, with a focus on small molecules, peptides, and other modalities, potentially stepping into a managerial role for site-based and remote technical colleagues.
- Assess emerging R&D and manufacturing landscape, contributing to talent outreach, recruitment, and team growth.
- Lead the creation and review of technical proposals, ensuring they’re well-resourced, cost-effective, and aligned with client expectations and timelines.
- Manage and support a diverse project portfolio, collaborating with clients and internal stakeholders across global technical and commercial functions.
- Ensure timely delivery of high-quality technical reports and campaign updates to clients.
- Troubleshoot complex technical challenges, devising and communicating robust, innovative solutions for R&D and manufacturing roadblocks.
- Serve as a key client liaison, keeping projects on schedule and within budget.
- Represent Asymchem externally, delivering technical presentations and supporting our commercial teams during client meetings and industry events.
Qualifications, skills and experience
- A PhD in chemistry with several years’ chemical development experience in the pharmaceutical or related industry or a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in chemistry, excellent knowledge of and significant experience in chemical development in the pharmaceutical or a related industry is essential.
- The ability to communicate science and business strategies to internal and external stakeholders in both verbal and written forms is essential.
- Experience in working in and leading highly collaborative, multi-disciplined teams across time zones is essential.
- Proactive planning and organizational skills, the ability to multi-task and prioritize in a highly dynamic environment is essential.
- An ability to independently plan, organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and manage teams of scientists undertaking large technical projects is essential.
- Experience and knowledge of cGMP compliance, and the relevant ICH quality guidelines along with an understanding of the requirements at different phases of clinical development (pre-clinical, phases I-IV) is highly desirable but not essential.
- Experience with process validation and process-validation enabling tools is highly desirable but not essential.
