External API Expert (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient)
Site Name: UK – North Ayrshire – Irvine, UK – Angus – Montrose, UK – West Sussex – Worthing
Posted Date: Apr 20 2026
We are seeking an External API Expert to oversee externally manufactured Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API). This role supports supplier selection, transfers, risk assessment, and continuous improvement to maintain a reliable supply chain of APIs. You will collaborate with internal teams and third‑party manufacturers.
Key Responsibilities
* Serve as technical product owner for externally produced materials, guiding technical projects, setting priorities, and tracking progress to completion.
* Identify opportunities for process improvement with third‑party suppliers, scoping projects, assessing benefits, and supporting delivery.
* Provide technical input during supplier selection and sourcing activities, assess supplier capability and risk, and support transfers to new suppliers. Supply technical details needed for regulatory or registration documentation.
* Manage or support troubleshooting and root cause analysis at supplier sites, coordinating required expertise, tracking corrective actions, and ensuring timely closure.
* Facilitate risk assessments and help suppliers develop mitigation plans. Review supplier validation exercises and ongoing performance monitoring to support consistent supply quality.
* Review supplier technical change requests, coordinate cross‑functional review and communication, and support any required regulatory evaluations.
* Contribute to development and maintenance of business processes that support third‑party supply, including handover and knowledge transfer practices. Define and monitor supplier performance metrics.
* Follow environmental, health, and safety procedures applicable to the role. Ensure risk assessments, incident reports, and corrective actions are completed and closed. Model positive safety behaviour when visiting supplier sites.
* Build and maintain constructive relationships with internal and external partners across supply, development, procurement, quality, planning and other relevant teams.
Skills and Attributes
* Technical understanding and practical problem‑solving skills.
* Effective project management capabilities and experience coordinating remote or matrixed teams.
* Ability to manage changing priorities and work productively in uncertain environments.
* Communication and stakeholder engagement skills, fostering collaboration and inclusion.
* Willingness and ability to travel as required to support supply priorities.
Basic Qualifications
* Degree in chemistry or a related scientific, technical or engineering discipline.
* Relevant practical experience in API manufacturing (e.g., previously worked in an API manufacturing facility).
* Experience managing transfers and introducing new products into supply.
* Familiarity with quality and regulatory expectations for manufacturing operations.
* Experience working in cross‑functional and virtual teams and influencing stakeholders at different levels.
Location
Ideally based at one of the following manufacturing sites: Irvine (North Ayrshire, Scotland), Montrose (Angus, Scotland) or Worthing (West Sussex, UK). Other UK GSK Global Supply Chain sites are also considered.
Travel
Travel may be required up to 10% of the time.
Closing Date
Tuesday 5th of May 2026 (COB).
Equal Opportunity Employer
GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service, or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.
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