Upstream Process Development Manager
Microbial or Synthetic & Mammalian Focus
Darlington | £50,000 - £66,000 per annum
About the Roles:
CPI is seeking two experienced Upstream Process Development Managers to provide strong leadership across our biologics upstream capabilities:
One role focused on Microbial Upstream
One role focused on Synthetic & Mammalian UpstreamThese are senior management roles within technically excellent teams operating across a high volume of complex, parallel projects. While both areas require deep upstream expertise, the primary need is for an outstanding people and programme manager - someone who can lead, prioritise, and resource teams effectively in a fast‑moving, multi‑project environment.
Reporting into senior leadership, you will be responsible for guiding high‑performing upstream teams, ensuring delivery, developing capability, and enabling teams to navigate competing priorities using the right management tools and structures.
What You'll Be Responsible For:
People & Team Leadership
Lead, develop, and support highly capable teams of upstream scientists and engineers
Create clarity and structure for teams working across multiple concurrent projects
Drive performance, engagement, and development through effective line management
Act as a confident escalation point for complex technical, delivery, and resource challengesProgramme & Resource Management
Manage resource allocation across a diverse portfolio of projects
Balance workload, capability, and priorities to ensure successful delivery
Apply appropriate tools and approaches to plan, track, and adjust project delivery
Work closely with project managers and stakeholders to align timelines and expectationsTechnical & Strategic Oversight
Provide high‑level technical leadership and governance within your upstream specialism
Act as technical lead on complex projects where required
Support the development, scale‑up, and optimisation of upstream biologics processes
Translate business and technology strategy into executable team plansStakeholder & Business Engagement
Act as a credible technical and managerial representative with clients and partners
Support bid development and customer engagement activities
Build strong internal and external networks to support capability growth
Contribute to the long‑term development of CPI's upstream process development capabilityQuality, Safety & Compliance
Ensure work is delivered in line with SHE, GMP/GxP, and Data Integrity requirements
Maintain high standards of documentation, reporting, and technical governance
Promote a culture of safe, compliant, and high‑quality scientific delivery
Role Focus Areas:
Candidates will typically align to one of the following, though cross‑experience is welcomed:
Microbial Upstream Focus
Upstream process development using microbial expression systems (e.g. E. coli, yeast)
Bioreactor operation and scale‑up from bench to pilot scale
Support delivery of therapies including proteins and nucleic‑acid productsSynthetic & Mammalian Upstream Focus
Development and scale‑up of mammalian and synthetic expression systems
Experience with CHO, HEK293 or related platforms
Exposure to advanced modalities such as mRNA, viral vectors, or cell‑free systems
About You:
You are a proven upstream leader who combines strong technical credibility with excellent people and delivery management skills. You enjoy leading teams through complexity and thrive in environments where priorities shift and multiple programmes run in parallel.
You'll bring:
Significant experience in upstream process development within biologics
Demonstrable experience managing teams across multiple simultaneous projects
Strong capability in resource planning and workload prioritisation
Confidence leading and developing experienced technical specialists
A clear, structured, and pragmatic management styleDesirable (but not essential):
Experience working in regulated or GMP‑aligned environments
Exposure to both microbial and mammalian/synthetic upstream platforms
Experience acting as technical lead or primary client contact
Formal management training or chartered professional status
Why Join CPI?
Influence and lead nationally significant upstream capabilities
Work with highly capable technical teams delivering complex biologics programmes
Genuine leadership roles with autonomy and strategic input
Exposure to advanced modalities and future‑focused technologies
Competitive salary (£50k-£66k)Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy