External Manufacturing Operations Lead
On site
Braine-L’Alleud, Belgium
Freelance
03-03-2025
Job Specifications
Make your mark for patients
We are looking for External Manufacturing Operations Lead who is accountable and results orientated to join our External Manufacturing team, based Braine l’Alleud, Belgium.
About the Role:
As a UCB External Manufacturing Operations Lead, you will be accountable for the operational management of UCB's global Contract Manufacturers (CMOs) and strategic vendors. This role blends technical and business responsibilities, focusing on both early-phase pharmaceutical development and commercial routine operations. Ideal candidate has experience leading and managing people directly or indirectly, with background in drug product and device manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead the operational management of UCB's global CMOs and strategic vendors.
Primary point of contact for CDMOs/vendors, managing operations, relationships, and business activities.
Lead cross-functional UCB Vendor Teams to ensure continuous supply and related services.
Manage projects from early-phase development through commercialization, including new product introductions and lifecycle management/process improvement.
Provide technical support to UCB affiliate teams overseeing local CMO operations.
Support due diligence activities and implement UCB's industrial manufacturing guidelines for local and global CDMOs.
Represent the External Manufacturing Team in transversal project/improvement programs.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with CMOs and other external partners.
Oversee the planning and execution of manufacturing in line with UCB specifications.
Own and review deviations, CAPAs, technical documents, and change controls.
Support technical transfers, scale-ups, and process validations at external sites.
Conduct risk analyses and implement effective corrective/preventive actions.
Compile, analyze, and present manufacturing process data to relevant UCB teams.
Collaborate with MSAT, Supply Chain and Quality Assurance to overcome day-to-day challenges.
Ensure timely delivery of clinical and commercial products within approved budgets and timelines.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Experiences and Skills:
Master’s degree with a minimum of 10 years of significant operations management experience in a GMP environment (drug product and device manufacturing).
Demonstrated experience in Pharmaceutical Project Management.
Technical knowledge in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (ideally in both drug product and devices).
Familiarity with the latest regulatory requirements and best practices to ensure compliance and drive future improvements.
Fluency in French and English (written and spoken) and availability to travel outside Belgium.
Proven ability to lead multi-functional teams, influence others, and manage complex projects from development through commercialization.
Expertise in pharmaceutical CMC and process tech transfer to CMOs.
Good communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to manage external business partners and relationships to deliver results that UCB needs.
Manage ambiguities
Good negotiation, influencing, and diplomacy skills.
Self-motivated and a team player.
Ability to partner across functions to find the solutions.
Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!
About Us
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are around 8,500 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.
Why work with us?
At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equitable opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential.
UCB and its subsidiaries encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace; we are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race/color/religion/sex/national origin/veteran/disability/age/sexual orientation/gender identity.
Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on EMEA-Reasonable_Accommodation@ucb.com . Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.
About the Company
UCB – Inspired by patients. Driven by science. At UCB, we put our heart, soul and skills into making a difference for people living with severe diseases. We look to transform patients’ lives by pushing the boundaries of what is possible. With us, our talents makes the most of who they are, unlocking innovation and setting new standards for patients. Everything we do starts with a simple question: “How will this make a difference to the lives of people living with severe diseases?” And to find the answers, we connect globall... Know more
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