Pacific International Recruitment is an exclusive recruitment consultancy with over 25 years of experience in placing specialists and executives. With our headquarters in London and additional locations in Düsseldorf and Philadelphia, we provide targeted support to our clients and candidates across EMEA, APAC, and the USA.
Our client is a well-established global organisation in the health sector. With a strong international presence, the company focuses on developing high-quality health products while maintaining rigorous standards of compliance, safety, and reliability.
As Director of Operational Excellence in the pharmaceutical industry, you will drive the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of operational systems across multiple manufacturing sites. You will work closely with senior leadership to align manufacturing and supply chain strategies with business objectives, ensuring safety, quality, efficiency, and compliance. The role involves building strong site capabilities, coaching leadership teams, and embedding structured management systems to deliver consistent performance. You will lead initiatives, track operational KPIs, and promote best practices and knowledge sharing across sites. This position offers the opportunity to influence operational culture, foster continuous improvement, and make a tangible impact on business results.
Key Responsibilities:
* Oversee the OPEX project portfolio, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and delivery of measurable value.
* Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of operational excellence systems across multiple manufacturing sites.
* Facilitate cross-site knowledge sharing, standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives.
* Align operational strategies with business goals, driving productivity, efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance.
* Build site capabilities, coach leadership teams, and embed robust management systems.
* Track global KPIs and ensure operational excellence programs deliver measurable benefits.
Skills and Qualifications:
* Over 10 years of experience in global manufacturing, operational excellence, supply chain, or technical operations, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry.
* Bachelor’s or higher degree in Engineering, Science, Business, or a related discipline.
* Proven track record of deploying operational excellence or production systems in multi-site environments.
* Strong leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across all organizational levels.
* Experience in regulated manufacturing, ideally cGMP-compliant facilities.
* Lean Six Sigma certification (Black Belt or equivalent) and solid project management experience preferred.
For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please apply with your English CV or contact kerstin.baumgaertner@pacific-international.com to schedule an initial call.
About Pacific International Executive Search:
Pacific International, a globally recognized retained executive search firm, is dedicated to empowering Fortune 500, FTSE 100, and high-growth enterprises in building exceptional C-suite, senior-level, and strategic leadership teams while championing diversity and inclusion. Our adaptability, agility, and forward-thinking ethos distinguish us in the ever-evolving business landscape. Since 1997, we have been dedicated to building lasting client partnerships based on trust and reliability, and a proven track record of successful C-suite and mid- to senior-level leadership project delivery across many key industries globally.
PACIFIC DIVERSITY STATEMENT:
At Pacific International, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and we proudly champion diversity on behalf of our clients in every Executive Search mandate we undertake. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. In pursuit of these objectives, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities.