Head of MSAT Process Science Marburg (m/f/d)

As Head of MSAT Process Science, you will lead the MSAT Process Science laboratories in Marburg. You will provide scientific and people leadership, support manufacturing operations, drive proactive process improvements through laboratory studies, and investigate and resolve complex manufacturing challenges.

You will strengthen Process Science capabilities across four pillars: process knowledge; people competency and capacity; laboratory infrastructure; and internal and external networking capability. You will ensure that laboratory priorities, resources and capabilities remain aligned with product and platform portfolio needs.

In this role, your key responsibilities will include:

• Fulfil the employer's occupational health and safety duties for MSAT Process Science, including preventing work-related accidents and diseases and implementing necessary health measures.
• Provide long-term strategic direction and technical input to Manufacturing Support Teams, local MSAT communities and Molecule Steward groups to support product lifecycle decisions across the relevant portfolio, including viral vaccines such as measles, mumps and rubella, recombinant proteins for Bexsero, and conjugate vaccines.
• Ensure technical and scientific support for commercial manufacturing technology transfers, including comprehensive product technical assessments and the sharing of data, product knowledge and process expertise.
• Lead technical and laboratory resources to deliver product-related projects and changes.
• Lead, coach and develop a multidisciplinary laboratory team; establish clear objectives, succession and capability plans, and an inclusive, accountable culture.
• Own laboratory strategy, capacity planning, resource prioritization and budget stewardship, including equipment lifecycle, maintenance, qualification and future capability investments.
• Ensure laboratory activities, methods, documentation, data and computerized systems comply with applicable GLP, data integrity, quality and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee scientifically rigorous study design, execution, interpretation and reporting, applying risk assessment, design of experiments, statistical analysis and process modelling where appropriate.
• Provide technical leadership on governance committees and decision-making bodies.
• Manage the portfolio of manufacturing technologies and innovations.
• Provide technical oversight and leadership for manufacturing operations, commercial contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) and manufacturing partners to help achieve business objectives.
• Develop and govern harmonized business processes and tools for technical manufacturing support, technology transfer, product lifecycle management and innovation management.
• Build effective technical relationships across Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, R&D, Engineering, Digital/Data, other MSAT teams, external partners and sites.
• Ensure appropriate GSP, housekeeping and safety standards within your areas of responsibility, in accordance with company requirements and applicable national and international regulations.

• Reporting line: Biologics Platform Technologies Head
• Position level: Director
• People management: approximately 16 direct reports
• Primary location: Marburg Main Site (Germany)
• Secondary location: N/A
• Working arrangement: hybrid
• Business travel: limited
• Languages: fluent German and English, spoken and written

Why You?

We are looking for professionals with the following skills and qualifications:

• MSc, preferably in science, engineering or pharmaceutical technology, or equivalent experience
• Substantial experience in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical R&D, Process Development, MSAT or commercial manufacturing in a regulated environment
• Demonstrated experience leading process-science or laboratory teams and delivering through cross-functional and matrix organizations
• Strong operational leadership, people development, resource prioritization and stakeholder-influence experience at senior level
• Strong scientific knowledge of vaccine manufacturing, process characterization, analytical testing, technology transfer, validation and product lifecycle management
• Experience applying risk management, root-cause analysis, design of experiments, process modelling and statistics to manufacturing and laboratory challenges
• Experience with statistical and data-analysis software; coding experience in Python, C++ or similar tools is an advantage
• Understanding of complex transformation and change management projects
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and apply an agile mindset in a complex site environment
• Digital fluency, with a strong understanding of data integrity and the use of digital tools in a regulated laboratory environment
• Fluency in German and English, spoken and written (mandatory requirement)

The following qualifications and attributes would be an advantage:

• PhD in pharmacy, pharmaceutical technology, chemical or biochemical engineering, chemistry, life sciences, or a related discipline
• Significant experience leading a GMP laboratory, process-science function or comparable technical organization, ideally supporting vaccines or biologics
• Ability to influence a wide range of stakeholders, communicate clearly and demonstrate resilience
• A proactive, agile and independent approach, with a strong focus on delivering results
• Ability to offer objective perspectives and practical solutions to challenges across functions and business areas
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.