At Hovione, we help partners turn scientific innovation into medicines that reach patients around the world. For more than 65 years, we have connected science and technology to scale complex ideas into high-quality and innovative solutions that truly make a difference.
As an international Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), we support the development and manufacture of drug substances, intermediates and drug products across the full life cycle. We are globally recognized for our leadership in specialized technologies such as Spray Drying and Continuous Tableting. But what truly sets us apart is not just what we do — it is how we do it: with purpose, care, collaboration and a deep commitment to doing the right things right.
Our people are the reason for our success. We are a global and diverse team of more than 2,600 team members across Europe, the USA and Asia, bringing together different experiences and perspectives to help our partners to overcome complex challenges. We believe that an inclusive environment — where everyone, regardless of background, identity or ability, is respected, heard and empowered to contribute — is essential to drive innovation, ensure quality, and secure long‑term sustainable success.
And as we grow, so do the opportunities for our people to develop, broaden their perspectives and build meaningful careers. Because at Hovione, better starts with those who choose to make a difference every day. Will you be one of them?
You will be responsible to:Enables the efficient manufacture of pharmaceutical products, including highly potent compounds, in compliance with applicable cGMP and HSE regulations and in accordance with business requirements. Responsible for the definition, implementation and optimization of manufacturing processes and systems, aiming at full adherence to pre-established schedules while managing internal resources (people & equipment) and fulfilling costumer requirements.
- Fulfill and rigorously promote all applicable Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Health Safety and Environment (HSE) regulations and relevant legislation by adhering to Hovione´s policies and procedures (COPs, HBR, SOPs and others) and industry standards while conducting all activities.
- Coordinate the implementation of new procedures or the change of existing ones, according to ruling COPs and SOPs.
- Enforce fulfillment of the GMP and HSE policy, by supporting inspections and liaising with other Areas.
- Ensure HSE operational program targets accomplishment.
- Plan and design manufacturing processes that ensure the production of intermediates and final products according to the project plan (reliably, right first time, on time and within budget) and in compliance with cGMP, HSE regulations and internal policies and procedures.
- Prepare manufacturing plans for production lines, managing resources allocation and assigning the members responsible (when applicable) for specific tasks.
- Responsible for the accurately and timely preparation, review and approval of manufacturing process documentation, including but not limited to batch production records, campaign reports, change controls, operating manuals / procedures, mass balance sheets, bill of materials, cost proposals, validation plans and validation reports and other GMP related documentation for all processes run in operations.
- Supervise, execute and ensure, with autonomy, all risk assessments for assigned activities and projects are carried out in compliance with established operating procedures and policies, assuring that all identified hazards are addressed prior to performing any operational activities.
- Report, investigate and document any abnormal observations, potential risks, discrepancies, deviations and non-conformances in accordance with Hovione internal procedures.
- Timely devise and implement effective and efficient corrective actions / preventive actions (CAPAs), as appropriate.
- Participate in all necessary training as defined in the training plan.
- Drive high standards in the production area (e.g. good hygiene, housekeeping and equipment maintenance practices), and act as an advocate for safe operation and high quality performance.
- Survey the working conditions of the facilities under the area responsibility, making proposals for need of investment and coordinating the implementation of the necessary actions to ensure a robust and reliable operation.
- Report abnormal situations at the installations, as soon as these are detected, so that corrective maintenance is triggered in due time.
- Identify and coordinate the implementation of corrective and preventive actions, looking at keeping the installation in good conditions.
- Coordinate and ensure on time preventive maintenance program execution and effective / efficient corrective maintenance, for facilities under the area’s responsibility.
- Manage risk and uncertainty; anticipate and escalate roadblocks in order to prevent deviations to the goals
- Act autonomously as the lead process engineer in multiple projects of high-complexity and/or with significant impact on business and liaises directly with customer project team, promoting active and transparent communication, including in complex situations.
- Update the Line Manager and the team members on relevant occurrences and trends that may have a significant impact on Area KPIs and on business.
- Provide training on manufacturing processes, production systems and procedures to operational team members.
- Participate, as required, in the induction of new colleagues ensuring they are appropriately trained in accordance with established training plans.
- Oversee the activities of less experienced Engineers, ensuring that they have the right resources and the right knowledge to do their job and to reach the defined objectives.
- Support internal stakeholders on, including but not limited to, generation of 3P’s and answering queries on cost and cycle time associated with assigned processes (where applicable)
- Support commercial assessment requests for business evaluation / technical introduction within the area.
- Assist with audits and investigations as SME for Operations.
- Support the generation / reporting of KPIs for the team and follow all annual performance review requirements, including completion of the self-assessment.
- Act as Area representative during the design of new facilities or modification of existing ones, ensuring that critical operational aspects are properly accounted.
- Approve changes to facilities and/or equipment trains, when delegated by n+1.
- Engage in a supportive work environment that allows for open collaboration between team members to share technical knowledge and act as backup for n+1 technical tasks when required.
- Promote the transfer of strong engineering expertise amongst other members of team, sharing knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies within the area.
- Develop areas of human expertise regarding manufacturing execution, in all its components (technical and soft skills);
- Initiate and prepare tech-transfers and process improvement projects for established and new processes utilizing best available technology, practices and tools.
- Contributes to the increase of productivity by reviewing, proposing, planning, coordinating and leading the implementation of new technologies, methods and practices that have the opportunity to optimize the manufacturing processes.
- Develop and maintain process optimization practices through implementation of simulation tools, data mining, or similar methods.
- Responsible for creating and reviewing cost proposals and project plans when implementing optimization projects.
- Implement the actions derived from approved Area budgets, contributing to costs control and to the achievement of P&L targets.
- Prepare and propose annual budgets (third party expenses; CapEx) for production lines under the area’s responsibility.
- Undertake any additional tasks commensurate with the role as and when required
- Carry out assigned tasks and duties in a safe manner, in accordance with instructions, and to comply with environmental, health & safety rules/procedures, regulations and codes of practice.
We are looking to recruit a Candidate:- Degree in a field of Science or Engineering (with a preference in Chemical Engineering)
- Experience working within the pharmaceutical industry in Pharmaceutical Fine Chemistry and/or Particle Engineering and/or Drug Product (areas of development, scale-up and production) (mandatory)
- Training and experience in GMP and HSE practices (mandatory)
- Experience in equipment and technology design (mandatory)
- Experience in technical manufacturing support
- Experience of technical transfer and capital project support
- Experience of multiple projects and product from early stage development to commercial scale
- Strong interpersonal skills to enable effective interactions with stakeholders (written and verbal)
- Competent (written and verbal) English
- Computer literate with good working knowledge of the MS Office package and SAP
- Advanced knowledge in organic chemistry and/or particle engineering technologies
- Advanced knowledge in scale-up of chemical engineering operations and/or drug product
- Expertise or significant experience in other departments or areas in a Pharmaceutical organization such as Quality Assurance, Analytical Development, Quality Control, Project Management, Process R&D, from completed assignments or past job experience (preferable)
- Must have the Knowledge, Experience and Skills to conduct their tasks in accordance with the rules and procedures set down.
Hovione is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer
Inclusion and diversity are key to us. We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. If you require any reasonable accommodation or support during the application or interview process, please contact us, and we will be happy to assist.
Notice to Agencies and Search Firms RepresentativesHovione does not accept unsolicited résumes from agencies or search firms for this job posting. Any resumes submitted to Hovione by a third-party agency or search firm without a valid written and signed search agreement will become the sole property of Hovione. No fees will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited referral. Thank you for your understanding.
Skills Required
- Degree in Science or Engineering; Chemical Engineering preferred
- Pharmaceutical industry experience in pharmaceutical fine chemistry, particle engineering, and/or drug product development, scale-up, or production
- Training and experience in GMP and HSE practices
- Experience in equipment and technology design
- Experience providing technical manufacturing support
- Experience with technical transfers and capital project support
- Experience managing multiple projects and products from early-stage development through commercial scale
- Strong written and verbal interpersonal communication skills
- Competent written and verbal English
- Computer literacy and working knowledge of Microsoft Office and SAP
- Advanced knowledge of organic chemistry and/or particle engineering technologies
- Advanced knowledge of chemical engineering operations scale-up and/or drug product scale-up
- Expertise or significant experience in pharmaceutical functions such as Quality Assurance, Analytical Development, Quality Control, Project Management, or Process R&D
- Knowledge, experience, and skills to perform tasks according to established rules and procedures
What We Do
Hovione is an international company with over 60 years of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing operations. As a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with a fully integrated offering of services for drug substances, drug product intermediates and drug products. The company has four FDA inspected sites in the USA, Portugal, Ireland and China and development laboratories in Lisbon, Portugal and New Jersey, USA. Hovione provides pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative drugs, including highly potent compounds, and customized product solutions across the entire drug life cycle. In the inhalation area, Hovione offers a complete range of services, from API, formulation development and devices. Hovione´s culture is based on innovation, quality and dependability. Hovione was the first Chemical/ Pharmaceutical Company to become a Certified B Corp, is a member of Rx-360, EFCG and participates actively in industry quality improvement initiatives to lead new global industry standards.
