Project Manager, Production Operations

We are looking for a Project Manager for a two-year fixed term position at Fermion’s production plant in Oulu. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work in a demanding GMP-regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment, developing processes and harmonizing ways of working across our production sites in both Oulu and Hanko towards more aligned operating models.

To succeed in this role, you will quickly build an understanding of our processes and ways of working. You will work with different teams and stakeholders across the organization, identifying opportunities for improvement and turning these insights into practical, sustainable solutions. Your focus will be on improving collaboration, increasing efficiency, and ensuring that changes become part of daily operations.

Responsibilities
In this role, you will be responsible for planning and driving development initiatives that support production operations across our manufacturing sites. Your key responsibilities include:

• Developing and harmonizing production equipment cleaning processes, including implementation of new ways of working as well as developing related documentation.
• Coordinating the development of controlled substance handling processes 
• Strengthening collaboration between key stakeholders groups (production, Quality Assurance, laboratory functions).
• Driving implementation and continuous improvement of 5S practices across the organization.
• Leading development projects from concept to implementation.

What you can expect from us
We offer you interesting and diverse tasks, as well as thorough onboarding and support to help you succeed in your role. You will also have the opportunity to grow and expand your expertise throughout your career.

At Orion, your work creates true impact and well-being for our customers, patients and society at large.  Our culture of friendliness, respect, mutual appreciation and diversity creates a safe working environment where you can strive for excellence. We offer a wealth of career paths and development opportunities that support the development of innovative solutions and improving the quality of life.

Please visit our website to find further information about our values and Orion as an employer https://www.orion.fi/en/careers/orion-as-an-employer/.

What are we looking for?
To succeed in this role, you should have:

• A relevant technical or scientific degree (e.g. M.Sc. in Engineering, Engineer, or M.Sc. in a relevant scientific field) 
• Strong ability to understand complex environments, see the bigger picture, and quickly adapt to new processes and ways of working in a changing manufacturing environment 
• A cost-conscious and business-oriented mindset, with the ability to identify efficient and practical solutions
• A structured, proactive, and self-driven approach to work 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across functions and sites 
• Fluent written and spoken English and Finnish skills
• Willingness to travel between our production sites in Oulu and Hanko

Considered as an advantage

• Experience working in production or laboratory environment
• Experience in leading cross-functional development and process improvement projects
• Familiarity with operating in a GMP-regulated environment
• Strong IT skills, including experience with SAP S/4HANA, the Honeywell Manufacturing Execution System, or similar production management systems
• Proven experience in leading development or process improvement projects

How to apply

If this position caught your interest, please send us your application and resume through our recruitment system by September 20, 2026. Applications submitted by email will not be considered.

For more information about the position, kindly contact Production Director Jouko Oikarinen, (tel. +358 50 9668480) on Tuesday September 8 between 12-13 or on Wednesday September 16, between 13-14.

Approved medical examination which also includes drug testing is required prior to the employment. We will also carry out a security clearance prior to the employment for the selected person.

Orion Pharma is a globally operating Nordic pharmaceutical company – a builder of well-being for over a hundred years.

We’re home to more than 4,000 Orionees around the world, and we’re proud to be known as a responsible employer and a great place to work. At Orion Pharma, people are truly valued and trusted, encouraged to grow, and supported by a culture where every voice is heard. We appreciate each other, strive for excellence, and build the future.

Together we develop, manufacture, and market human and veterinary pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Our extensive portfolio includes proprietary and generic medicines as well as consumer health products. The core therapy areas of our pharmaceutical R&D are oncology and pain. Proprietary products developed by Orion Pharma are used to treat cancer, neurological diseases, respiratory diseases, and more.

We offer careers with a clear purpose: empowering people to live their lives to the fullest.

About Orion