At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com.
As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.
Job Function:
Supply Chain ManufacturingJob Sub Function:
Manufacturing Pharmaceutical Process OperationsJob Category:
People LeaderAll Job Posting Locations:
Leiden, South Holland, NetherlandsJob Description:
Senior Manager, Center of Expertise – Upstream ProcessingAre you a visionary leader with a passion for innovation and operational excellence?
Do you thrive in dynamic environments and enjoy empowering teams to deliver impactful results?
If so, we invite you to explore an exciting opportunity to shape the future of biopharmaceutical manufacturing!
We are seeking a Senior Manager to lead our Center of Expertise (COE) in Upstream Processing at our cutting-edge biopharmaceutical facility in Leiden, the Netherlands. Reporting to the Director of Upstream Processing, you will guide a team of experts dedicated to driving strategic improvements, optimizing production processes, and ensuring the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance.
Your leadership will be instrumental in advancing our manufacturing capabilities, introducing new products, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
- Lead and inspire a high-performing team of engineers and supervisors focused on upstream process, equipment, and quality initiatives.
- Set clear objectives aligned with business goals, and provide coaching and support to ensure team success.
- ·Collaborate cross-functionally with departments such as Downstream Processing COE, Make Asset Management (MAM), Quality Assurance, Manufacturing Science & Technology (MSAT), and R&D to deliver impactful projects on time and within budget.
- Monitor key performance indicators to ensure excellence in safety, quality, reliability, and financial performance.
- Drive operational efficiency in upstream processing through data-driven improvements in yield and performance, leveraging deep process and technical expertise.
- Lead the introduction of new biopharmaceutical products, ensuring upstream process and equipment readiness.
- Maintain validated states of processes and equipment in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
- Champion a LEAN culture through Root Cause Problem Solving, Gemba walks, and process observation.
- Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a team culture that reflects and respects the communities we serve.
- Master’s degree in a relevant field.
- 8–10 years of industrial experience in operations management, including 5+ years in a leadership role.
- Proven ability to lead change and solve complex problems.
- Positive, motivating leadership style that enhances team morale and productivity.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- High safety and quality awareness, with experience in EHS and cGMP standards.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Deep understanding of operational best practices and industry trends.
- Demonstrated success in leading change within complex operational environments.
- Experience in pharmaceutical or upstream processing environments.
- Project management expertise.
- Familiarity with LEAN methodologies.
- Established relationships with external stakeholders.·
Additional Information
This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact at our Leiden site, while enjoying a collaborative and innovative work culture. Preferred certifications such as Six Sigma Green Belt will further enhance your ability to lead projects and implement process improvements.
Are you ready to take the next step in your career and make a difference at Johnson & Johnson? If you share our values and are excited about this leadership opportunity, we encourage you to apply today!
Join us in our mission to improve health and well-being for all.
Johnson & Johnson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Learn more about how we support the whole health of our employees at www.careers.jnj.com.
Required Skills:
Preferred Skills:
Agile Manufacturing, Business Intelligence (BI), Change Management, Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Control (CMC), Collaboration, Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), Developing Others, Gap Analysis, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Manufacturing Compliance, Operational Excellence, Organizational Knowledge, Plant Operations, Process Optimization, Team Management
The anticipated base pay range for this position is:
€82,900.00 - €144,210.00Benefits:
In addition to base pay, we offer the following benefits*: an annual bonus with set target (% of pay) depending on pay grade / location, where the actual amount is based on the employees’ and companies’ performance of the previous calendar year, or sales commissions. Moreover, we offer vacation days, parental leave for a minimum of 12 weeks, bereavement leave, caregiver leave, volunteer leave, well-being reimbursement, programs for financial, physical and mental health. We also offer service anniversary and recognition awards, and subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees - and in some location’s eligible dependents - can participate in several insurance plans. For more information, visit Employee benefits | Supporting well-being & career growth | Johnson & Johnson Careers.
*This is for informative purposes only. Amounts and actual benefits may vary by location and are subject to change.
Skills Required
- Master's degree in a relevant field
- 8–10 years of industrial experience in operations management
- At least 5 years of leadership experience
- Proven ability to lead change and solve complex problems
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- Experience with EHS and cGMP standards
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Deep understanding of operational best practices and industry trends
- Demonstrated success leading change in complex operational environments
- Experience in pharmaceutical or upstream processing environments
- Project management expertise
- Familiarity with LEAN methodologies
- Established relationships with external stakeholders
- Six Sigma Green Belt certification
Johnson & Johnson Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Johnson & Johnson and has not been reviewed or approved by Johnson & Johnson.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is characterized as comprehensive across medical, dental, and vision, with added supports like onsite clinics, fitness centers, and Employee Assistance resources. Mental-health services and wellbeing reimbursements are also described as meaningful components of the overall package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings are portrayed as a major differentiator, combining a 401(k) with employer matching and an employer-funded pension plan. Stock options and other long-term financial supports are also positioned as part of the broader rewards mix.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-related benefits are presented as notably strong, including paid parental leave for all new parents and additional leave types for caregiving and bereavement. Financial assistance for adoption, fertility treatment, and surrogacy is highlighted as a significant support.
Johnson & Johnson Insights
What We Do
Profound Change Requires Boldness. Johnson & Johnson is the largest and most broadly based healthcare company in the world. We’re producing life-changing breakthroughs every day, and have been for the last 130 years. The combination of new technologies and your expertise enables amazing things to happen. Teams from J&J’s consumer business are creating digital tools to help people track the health of their skin. Those working in medical devices are 3-D printing artificial joints personalized for each patient, while researchers in pharmaceuticals use AI to discover lifesaving drugs. Imagine what the rest of our team of 134,000 people at 260 companies in more than 60 countries across the world is accomplishing. We redefine what it means to be a big company in today’s world. Social Media Community Guidelines: http://www.jnj.com/social-media-community-guidelines
