Director of Manufacturing Excellence

Role Overview

The Director of Manufacturing Excellence will be responsible for driving operational performance, efficiency, and compliance across manufacturing sites, with a particular focus on injectables production.

The role will lead the establishment of best-in-class manufacturing standards, ensuring production output is aligned with demand, operations are efficient and scalable, and all activities are conducted in full compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks, including MDD/MDR.

Acting as a senior operational leader, this role will work across manufacturing, supply chain, and quality functions to strengthen operational discipline, improve plant performance, and embed a culture of continuous improvement.

Role Purpose

This role is critical to strengthening manufacturing performance, operational discipline, and compliance across Sinclair, ensuring that production is efficient, aligned with demand, and delivered within a robust regulatory and quality framework.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Performance & Output

• Ensure manufacturing output is aligned with demand plans, improving reliability and responsiveness
• Drive improvements in productivity, efficiency, and cost performance across sites
• Monitor and optimise key operational KPIs (throughput, yield, scrap, OEE, lead time)
• Identify and address performance gaps, implementing corrective actions where required

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Lead the deployment of Lean Six Sigma methodologies across manufacturing operations
• Establish a structured continuous improvement framework across sites
• Simplify processes, reduce waste, and improve operational efficiency
• Build internal capability in problem-solving, root cause analysis, and performance management
• Standardise best practices across manufacturing locations

Manufacturing Leadership & Site Support

• Provide hands-on leadership and guidance to plant teams, including stepping in as site leadership where required
• Strengthen operational discipline, accountability, and execution within plant teams
• Support capability development of local leadership and operational teams
• Ensure alignment and consistency across multiple manufacturing sites

Supply Chain & Demand Alignment

• Work closely with supply chain and planning teams to ensure alignment between demand and production
• Improve planning accuracy, inventory management, and production scheduling
• Support end-to-end operational flow from demand planning through to manufacturing output

Quality, Compliance & Regulatory (MDD/MDR)

• Ensure manufacturing operations are aligned with applicable regulatory and quality standards, including MDD/MDR requirements
• Partner closely with Quality and Regulatory teams to maintain a strong and compliant QMS environment
• Support audit readiness and ensure adherence to GMP and internal quality standards
• Drive a culture of quality and compliance across manufacturing teams

Process & Operational Simplification

• Identify opportunities to simplify manufacturing processes and operating models
• Improve clarity, structure, and efficiency in workflows and plant operations
• Support the implementation of consistent operating standards across sites

Profile & Experience

• Proven experience in manufacturing leadership within pharma, medical devices, or injectables environment
• Strong understanding of MDD/MDR, GMP, and quality systems (QMS)
• Demonstrated experience in Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement programmes
• Experience managing or supporting multiple manufacturing sites
• Strong understanding of supply chain, demand planning, and production alignment
• Track record of improving operational performance and driving efficiency
• Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on within plant environments

Key Attributes

• Strong operational leadership and credibility within manufacturing environments
• Structured, data-driven, and performance-focused
• Hands-on and pragmatic approach
• Ability to influence and drive performance improvement across functions and geographies
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability