Head of Manufacturing Science & Technology (MS&T)

Arcera is a global life sciences company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Our purpose is to enable longer and healthier lives while creating sustainable growth. We develop, manufacture, and commercialize a broad range of high-quality innovative and proven medicines in key international markets. With an operational footprint spanning over 90 countries across four continents, and manufacturing sites in eight countries, we offer more than 2,000 medicines across various therapeutic areas worldwide.

Job Purpose:

The Head of Manufacturing Science & Technology (MS&T) is accountable for leading all MS&T activities at the manufacturing site, ensuring robust, compliant, and efficient manufacturing processes across the product lifecycle. The role collaborates with R&D to ensure successful transfer of manufacturing process from development to commercial manufacturing. Other responsibilities throughout product lifecycle are assessment of the impact of process/product/equipment related changes, , process validation, continuous improvement, troubleshooting of manufacturing issues and technical support to operations, enabling the consistent supply of high-quality pharmaceutical products.

This position acts as the site MS&T authority and strategic partner to Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and Global MS&T teams, while ensuring alignment with global standards and regulatory expectations.

Your Responsibilities: 

MS&T Leadership & Strategy (Site Level)

• Lead and implement the site MS&T strategy in alignment with global and regional TechOps objectives.
• Act as the single point of accountability for MS&T performance at the site.
• Promote a culture of quality, operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure site readiness for new product introductions, lifecycle changes, and strategic initiatives.

Technology Transfer & Process Lifecycle Management

• Lead all technology transfer activities (internal and external) including scale-up, validation, and commercialization.
• Ensure processes are scientifically sound, robust, and capable throughout the product lifecycle.
• Own the process validation lifecycle (PPQ, CPV, revalidation) in compliance with FDA, EMA, and ICH requirements.
• Support introduction of new technologies, process improvements, and digital initiatives at site level.

Operational Excellence & Technical Support

• Provide hands-on technical leadership to Manufacturing in troubleshooting complex process and product quality issues for already commercialized products.
• Drive variability reduction, yield improvement, cycle time reduction, and waste elimination.
• Lead root cause investigations for major deviations and ensure sustainable corrective actions.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and Operational Excellence tools to enhance site performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Engineering, and EHS to ensure end-to-end alignment.
• Represent MS&T during audits, inspections, regulatory submissions, and health authority interactions related to manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with Quality Control to ensure analytical and process requirements are aligned.
• Interface with CMOs or technical partners, as applicable, to ensure process consistency and compliance.

Governance, Compliance & Standards

• Ensure implementation and adherence to global MS&T standards, guidelines, and ways of working at the site.
• Contribute to global and regional MS&T communities of practice.
• Ensure data integrity, GMP compliance, and inspection readiness at all times.

Role-model company values and ensure compliance with internal policies, SOPs, and mandatory training requirements.

Your Qualification & experience:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD preferred) in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biotechnology, or related discipline.
• Minimum 12–15 years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, MS&T, or technical operations.
• Proven experience in, Technology transfer and commercial manufacturing, Process validation and lifecycle management, regulatory inspections and compliance,
• Strong knowledge of global regulatory standards (FDA, EMA, ICH).
• Experience working in global and matrix organizations.
• Fluent in English

This is the opportunity to join a very dynamic organization, where decisions are taken fast and where you can actively participate in shaping our future. If this sounds exciting, we would love to hear more about you!