Director of Technical Operations

About

A major global pharmaceutical manufacturer is seeking a Director of Technical Operations to join a strategically important manufacturing site in eastern France.

This is a senior site leadership appointment, not simply a technical specialist role.

You will join the Site Leadership Team, leading a multi-disciplinary Technical Services & Manufacturing Science function responsible for manufacturing support, tech transfer, validation, lifecycle management, and technical performance across a complex oral solid dose manufacturing operation.

The brief requires someone who can lead highly capable technical teams, influence across a sophisticated site environment, and bring judgment to balance operational urgency with longer-term technical strategy.

This is a role for a leader who can move comfortably from senior stakeholder conversations to live manufacturing challenges, creating clarity, pace, and direction in a demanding operational environment.

The Opportunity

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Leading and developing a high-calibre TSMS / MS&T organisation
• Building capability, structure, and accountability within the technical function
• Acting as a key member of the Site Leadership Team, influencing broader operational performance and site strategy
• Driving technical decision-making across manufacturing support, troubleshooting, validation, and process robustness
• Leading tech transfer, industrialisation, process improvement, and lifecycle activity
• Partnering cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and global technical stakeholders
• Supporting regulatory readiness and technical credibility with external agencies
• Identifying opportunities for operational improvement, efficiency, and technical excellence

What We Are Looking For

This role needs a genuine leader with strong pharmaceutical manufacturing depth.

You are likely to bring:

• Proven senior leadership experience within pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Direct leadership of Technical Services / MS&T / manufacturing science teams
• Experience leading technical experts within complex GMP manufacturing environments
• Strong oral solid dose manufacturing expertise
• Technical credibility in manufacturing troubleshooting, validation, process science, and tech transfer
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders across site and global structures
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to build trust, challenge constructively, and develop high-performing teams
• Strong English language capability

French language skills would be beneficial.

Why This Role?

This is a high-visibility leadership role within a major global manufacturer, offering genuine influence across site performance, technical strategy, team development, and operational excellence.

For the right leader, this is an opportunity to shape both the function and the wider site.

€130,000 base salary depending on experience + bonus + benefits

Confidential search