The Process Team Lead is responsible for overseeing daily manufacturing operations within the Manufacturing Unit, fostering a culture of empowerment, accountability, and continuous improvement. The role ensures the delivery of high-quality products in compliance with GMP, HSE, and Novartis standards while maximizing operational efficiency, productivity, and team performance.
Job Description
Major Accountabilities
Manufacturing Operations & Shop Floor Leadership
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Provide visible leadership on the shop floor through regular presence, walkthroughs, and operational support.
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Ensure adequate resource planning and allocation based on production workload and business priorities.
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Review and manage production schedules within the operational horizon, considering risks, constraints, and opportunities.
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Ensure continuity of production flow through effective coordination of personnel, materials, consumables, equipment, documentation, and supporting services.
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Set operational priorities and adjust plans when unforeseen events occur.
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Optimize the utilization of human and technical resources to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
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Monitor and drive implementation of CAPAs and actions related to operational performance indicators.
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Own shop floor service support activities and management of external workforce supporting cleaning and material handling operations.
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Support technical batch release activities, including batch record review, SOP maintenance, and process documentation management.
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Lead incident reporting, investigations, root cause analyses, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
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Demonstrate ownership of manufacturing processes and products, ensuring sustainable operational performance.
Leadership & People Development
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Act as a role model for Novartis Values & Behaviors and promote a culture of trust, collaboration, accountability, and inclusion.
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Translate strategic objectives into clear team goals, priorities, and action plans.
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Build, engage, and motivate high-performing teams that consistently deliver business results.
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Ensure associates are appropriately trained and qualified before performing GMP activities independently.
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Monitor training compliance and competency development of team members.
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Provide coaching, feedback, and performance management support to direct reports and Shift Leaders.
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Facilitate effective decision-making and problem-solving within the team.
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Promote cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing across manufacturing teams.
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Support talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
Quality, Compliance & HSE
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Ensure full compliance with GMP, HSE, Novartis Quality Management Systems, and applicable regulatory requirements.
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Maintain inspection readiness and support successful internal and external audits and regulatory inspections.
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Promote a strong safety and quality culture through leadership, accountability, and continuous awareness.
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Ensure implementation and effectiveness of Business Continuity Plans within the area of responsibility.
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Act as the owner of quality and compliance practices defined within the Novartis Manufacturing Manual.
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Drive proactive identification, reporting, and resolution of quality and safety risks.
Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
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Champion Operational Excellence through Lean Leadership, Visual Management, Tiered Accountability, Leader Standard Work, and Gemba practices.
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Lead improvement initiatives including TPM, process optimization, technology transfer, digitalization, and productivity improvement projects.
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Drive improvements in Overall Asset Effectiveness (OAE), yield, cycle time, and operational performance metrics.
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Facilitate Root Cause Investigations (RCIs), Kaizens, and problem-solving workshops to eliminate losses and improve performance.
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Utilize data analytics, visualization, and performance monitoring to identify improvement opportunities.
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Ensure sustainability of implemented improvements and achievement of targeted business benefits.
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Contribute actively to site Continuous Improvement strategy and project prioritization activities.
Key Performance Indicators
People
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Employee engagement and satisfaction
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Training compliance and qualification status
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Talent development and succession readiness
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Retention and attraction of key talent
Supply & Delivery
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Production volume achievement
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Schedule adherence
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Launch and commercialization performance
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Supply Excellence KPIs
Quality & Compliance
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Batch success rate
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Right-First-Time performance
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Audit and inspection outcomes
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Reduction of human error-related deviations
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Batch documentation quality
Safety
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Lost Time Injury (LTI) rate
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Safety observation and action completion performance
Cost & Productivity
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Budget adherence
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Headcount management
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Cost of non-quality reduction
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Yield and OAE improvements
Continuous Improvement
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Delivery of Operational Excellence projects
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Financial benefits generated through improvement initiatives
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Sustainability of implemented actions
Essential Requirements
Education
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Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Technology, Life Sciences, or a related field.
Experience
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Minimum 5 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry within a GMP-regulated environment.
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Minimum 2 years of people leadership or supervisory experience is preferred.
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Experience in commercial manufacturing operations is highly desirable.
Technical & Functional Skills
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Strong knowledge of GMP regulations and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
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Good understanding of Quality Systems and Health Authority requirements.
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Experience with manufacturing systems (MES, SAP, or equivalent).
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Knowledge of Lean Management and Operational Excellence methodologies.
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Experience in process improvement, problem solving, and root cause investigation.
Leadership Competencies
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Strong leadership and people development capabilities.
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Effective communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
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Proven ability to lead change and drive organizational performance.
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Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.
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Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.