Head of Operations

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Office

Job Description

Head of Operations – Job Description

Position Summary

Reporting to the General Manager, the Head of Operations is responsible for driving operational excellence across Production, Supply Chain, and Warehousing within a highly regulated pharmaceutical environment. The primary focus of this role is to ensure robust, efficient, and compliant manufacturing operations that meet safety, quality, cost, and delivery objectives.

You will lead the end-to-end production organization, ensuring seamless coordination between planning, materials availability, shop-floor execution, and product release. This role is essential for achieving capacity targets, optimizing throughput, strengthening GMP compliance, and developing a high-performance operational culture.

Direct reports include the Production Manager , Supply Chain Manager , and Warehouse Manager .

Key Responsibilities

Leadership of Production Operations

• Provide strategic and daily leadership to all production areas, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient execution of manufacturing activities.
• Achieve or exceed production targets related to output, yield, cost, quality, and service level.
• Drive capacity planning, scheduling discipline, and equipment utilization to ensure reliable product availability.
• Ensure operational readiness for new products, processes, and technologies in collaboration with Engineering, R&D, and QA/QC.
• Embed Lean and continuous improvement programs to strengthen flow, eliminate waste, and improve productivity.

Operational Planning & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Oversee integration of production plans with supply planning, procurement, and warehousing to guarantee uninterrupted production.
• Ensure optimal material availability, inventory levels, and internal logistics to support production schedules.
• Own the operational alignment with supporting functions such as Engineering, Maintenance, QA/QC, HSE, and Validation.
• Drive effective S&OP execution from an operations perspective, ensuring capacity, labor, and material constraints are visible and resolved proactively.

GMP, Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure all operations meet GMP, EH&S, SOP, and regulatory requirements across all production shifts.
• Strengthen adherence to documentation standards, data integrity, deviation management, and audit readiness.
• Lead and support CAPA execution and sustainable quality improvements across all operational areas.
• Foster a culture of safety, compliance, and accountability throughout the operations organization.

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Supervise and improve key operational KPIs including OEE, throughput, labor efficiency, yield, scrap, and schedule adherence.
• Use Lean, Six Sigma, and 5S tools to drive structured improvements across production and related operations.
• Enhance standard work practices, visual management, and problem-solving capability at all levels.

People Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead and develop a team of ~10 direct and ~150+ indirect reports across Production, Supply Chain, and Warehousing.
• Build strong leadership capability within the Production, Supply Chain, and Warehouse Management teams.
• Promote a culture of ownership, engagement, teamwork, and continuous learning.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, talent assessments, and succession planning.

Qualifications & Experience

• HBO/WO degree in Engineering, Operations, Industrial Pharmacy, Supply Chain, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical or food manufacturing operations, with 5+ years in senior operational leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, FDA/EU regulations, validation, and quality systems.
• Proven experience in leading production teams, improving manufacturing performance, and managingoperational complexity.
• Demonstrated application of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Strong communication skills in Dutch and English; German is a plus.
• Experience with ERP/MES and planning systems.

Working Conditions

• Combination of office, production floor, and cleanroom environments.
• Role requires occasional standing, walking, and extended screen time.
• Domestic and international travel up to 10%.
• Availability for global calls and after-hours meetings as needed.

We welcome candidates that enjoy working in a diverse, multi-disciplinary, groundbreaking technology environment where personal development and team cooperation are key to success, to make the impossible à possible for our customers.

Diversity in our teams is an important element to build an effective and challenging working environment. Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, and Involvement are key values that we expect of all that are part of our community.

We encourage candidates to enjoy working in an international team, matrix organization, personal growth and development and team collaborations are key to success factors.

Di scover the happiness of making a significant impact in a world-class environment where your skills are valued and your growth is supported with good benefits!