Head of Development (m/f/d) – Innovative Synthesis

What you can expect

The role

This is a dual role: you lead the Development function in Liestal (and are part of the Site Leadership Team) while also heading Development across the Innovative Synthesis Business Unit (Liestal, Chenôve, Bergamo).

Strategic

• Drive continuous improvement and “state-of-the-art” process development and analytical methods, including phase-appropriate standards.
• Define and implement internal development standards, tools, and process flows together with the process owner “Project Management”.
• Build a culture of Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement, ensuring learnings are systematically shared between Development and Manufacturing.
• Shape technology advancement by working closely with Innovation to introduce new technologies, equipment, and techniques.
• Own capital planning and ensure a state-of-the-art DEV infrastructure (facilities, maintenance, investments for obsolescence, capacity, and technology).
• Contribute to operational strategy and long-term development as a member of the Business Unit Leadership Team and Site Leadership Team Liestal.
• Support Commercial & Project Management in new business capture (opportunity assessment, project evaluations) and participate in customer visits when technical excellence is key.

Operational

• Provide disciplinary and technical leadership for Development teams across the Business Unit (with direct responsibility in Liestal and matrix leadership across sites).
• Manage budgets and cost centers for the function.
• Lead cross-site resource management to optimize utilization and scheduling in close cooperation with Project Management.
• Drive people management & development (recruitment, coaching, training, succession planning).
• Ensure SHE compliance and appropriate internal/external quality standards (ISO, GMP where applicable), including ownership of DEV quality documentation (guidelines, SOPs, templates).

To successfully master this role, we are looking for the following qualifications:

• PhD preferred in Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent.
• 10+ years in the chemical-pharmaceutical industry with a focus on process research & development, innovation and/or project management and manufacturing for Small Molecules, Lipids, and Peptides.
• Strong leadership capabilities
• German & English proficiency

Was wir bieten

• Full coverage of KTG / NBU premiums – we cover 100% of the costs
• Above average pension fund benefits / we cover 70% of the contributions.
• An attractive workplace with a high level of responsibility
• Attractive and performance-related compensation package.