Head of USP Development

About us

We are a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with over 40 biotech companies worldwide that have placed their trust in us. We develop and manufacture lentiviral vectors as a European leader working under both EMA and FDA standards. The lentiviral vectors produced by VIVEbiotech are used to treat a range of disorders, including haematological and solid cancers, and rare diseases.

We are looking for you to be part of our Team!

Your role

We are looking for a Head of USP Development whose mission is to design and create new strategies to optimise the production process: seed train, cell growth in bioreactor, transfection and viral production.

Also, one of the main tasks of this role will be to be responsible for the optimal functioning of the Upstream process development department (people, batches, projects and resources), planning and managing the resources of the area in order to meet the projects and objectives defined in the strategic and annual management plan of the company and the USP development department.

Your responsibilities

Actively participate in the elaboration of the annual strategic and management plan of the USP development area.
Propose new strategies to improve and optimise the USP production process, for which he/she will have to have a deep knowledge of VIVEbiotech’s lentiviral vector production process and identify and define improvement strategies.
To be permanently updated on new manufacturing and monitoring technologies, equipment and lentivirus manufacturing processes.
To ensure that the department has the ideal working conditions to carry out its activity: personnel and human resources, equipment and facilities.
Ensure internal and external deadlines and milestones are met.
Establish internal links with adjacent departments in the company for the smooth running of projects.
Represent the company from a technical point of view at customer meetings and external presentations on topics related to the optimisation of USP production processes.
Proactively participate and design the department’s annual development plan to manage and guide your team towards optimising the development of their skills and to maintain their focus on results and the company’s vision for the future.
Ensure compliance with procedures within the department, in terms of safety, quality, good laboratory and manufacturing practices.
Manage and plan the work team: holidays, overtime, weekend shifts, etc.
Collaborate with your line manager in the development and delivery of the annual management plan and annual budget for your area of responsibility. Generate and implement the development strategy for your area establishing the current and future needs, ensuring the availability of resources to execute the activities smoothly, always with a vision of continuous improvement cost / effectiveness that has an impact on the improvement of the company. Report to your direct manager the activities and incidents highlighted, proposing solutions that have an impact on the continuous improvement of your area.
Create development and training plans for all team members through annual development interviews, providing continuous improvement challenges. Guide and advise team members on a day-to-day basis both to apply their strengths in their daily work and to improve on their weakest points, both in work-related and relational aspects, taking care of the VIVE culture, and doing so with a coaching attitude/style, accompanying.
Assume a leadership role in promoting the VIVE culture inside and outside their team: values of behaviour and teamwork, customer orientation and continuous improvement in quality, safety and environment.

About you

You are who we are looking for if you have:

Studies related to Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry or similar, with a strong background in Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Cell Cultures and Bioreactors.
At least 3 years of experience in functions related to this position.
Knowledge and experience of GPX regulations
Experience in handling and use of bioreactors
Cell culture training
Excellent IT skills in MS Excel and other MS office tools (Word, PowerPoint)
Strong team management experience
Ability to work under pressure in terms of results and deadlines, and positive attitude towards change.
High problem management skills, risk taking and multitasking skills.
High level of autonomy, responsibility, proactivity and rigour.
Medium/high level of English, both oral and written.
And, above all, a vocation for learning and working for and with the team.

We offer you