Downstream Manager – Clinical Manufacturing Sciences

About the role

UCB is seeking a Downstream Manager to lead the Downstream and Buffer Production activities in its Biologics Pilot Plant. The role combines people leadership, operational excellence, and continuous improvement to ensure safe, compliant, and on‑time delivery of drug substance for Phase I‑III clinical programs.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop a 30‑person Downstream Production team, fostering performance, engagement and resilience.
• Ensure safe, compliant, and OTIF delivery of drug substance through robust cGMP downstream operations.
• Oversee purification, Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF), chromatography and drug substance filling activities, resolving daily operational issues.
• Drive quality excellence via documentation, deviation management, investigations and CAPA execution.
• Promote continuous improvement, cost optimisation and adaptable planning in a fast‑changing environment.
• Support technology transfer, scale‑up and implementation of new processes/equipment through cross‑functional collaboration.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering or a related scientific field.
• Proven leadership experience in biologics or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of downstream processing and cGMP environments.
• Fluency in English and French.

Required skills

• Downstream processing
• cGMP manufacturing
• Purification techniques
• Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF)
• Chromatography
• Drug substance filling
• Documentation practices
• Deviation management
• CAPA execution
• Technology transfer and scale‑up
• Equipment implementation
• Data‑based decision making