Upstream Process Development Manager
Microbial or Synthetic & Mammalian Focus
Darlington | £50,000 – £66,000 per annum
About the Roles:
We are seeking two experienced Upstream Process Development Managers to provide strong leadership across 2 highly innovative biologics upstream teams:
* One role focused on Microbial Upstream
* One role focused on Synthetic & Mammalian Upstream
These 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 challenges
Programme & 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 expectations
Technical & 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 plans
Stakeholder & 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 company's upstream process development capability
Quality, 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 products
Synthetic & 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 style
Desirable (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?
* 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)