Head of Production
The Position
Are you ready to take the helm of a world-class production facility and shape the future of animal health? At Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), we’re looking for a visionary Head of Production to lead our Pirbright site—driving excellence, innovation, and compliance in every aspect of our manufacturing operations. This is more than a leadership role—it’s your opportunity to make a lasting impact in a global organisation.
As Head of Production, you’ll be at the heart of our mission—ensuring the seamless delivery of our business strategy through outstanding performance across People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost. You’ll lead a high-performing team, champion regulatory excellence, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
This is a fully site-based role at our cutting-edge Pirbright facility, where your expertise will directly influence the production of life-saving animal vaccines.
Tasks & Responsibilities
Production Leadership & Compliance
• Oversee all production activities, from operations and maintenance to validation and waste management
• Ensure full compliance with GMP, biosafety, HSE, and quality standards
• Lead contamination control strategies and maintain rigorous hygiene protocols
• Own SOP development and implementation, ensuring alignment with regulatory and licensing requirements
• Drive data integrity, documentation accuracy, and validation of aseptic procedures
Strategic Supply Chain & Operational Excellence
• Manage end-to-end supply chain planning, budgeting, and inventory control
• Collaborate with Procurement to align supply needs with production schedules
• Monitor GMP compliance and lead regulatory inspection readiness
• Embed a culture of Quality, Safety, and Continuous Improvement through visual management and Gemba walks
Senior Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to strategic direction and company-wide initiatives
• Inspire and motivate teams to achieve local and global targets
• Champion open communication and cross-functional alignment
People Development & Departmental Growth
• Lead, coach, and develop a diverse, high-performing team
• Shape departmental structure to meet evolving business needs
• Drive talent development, performance management, and succession planning
• Promote knowledge sharing and operational excellence across the team
Requirements
• A scientific degree (e.g., pharmacy, veterinary medicine, biology, chemistry) or equivalent experience
• Proven leadership in GMP-regulated production environments, ideally in biopharmaceuticals
• Deep understanding of aseptic manufacturing, biosafety, and operational excellence tools (Lean, Six Sigma)
• Experience with UK regulatory inspections and audits
• Strategic mindset with strong influencing and communication skills
• A collaborative, pragmatic, and solutions-focused approach
• Exceptional organisational, time management, and IT skills
WHY THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK
Boehringer Ingelheim has been recognised as a Top Employer in the UK. Being certified as a Top Employer confirms our dedication to a better world of work, delivered through excellent HR policies and people practices. To learn more visit: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.co.uk/careers/uk-careers/why-great-place-work