Sai Life Sciences Ltd - Process Chemistry Director

Job Title:

Process Chemistry Director

Category:

Technical roles

Closing Date:

02/05/2024

Role

Process Chemistry Director

Location

Alderley Park, Cheshire, England

Job Type

Permanent 

Salary

£79,000 - £104,000 + bonus (depending on experience)

Date posted

April 2024

Start date

ASAP

The Company
 

Sai Life Sciences is a leading global Contract Research & Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO) that provides integrated drug substance services to the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. With expanded process development labs in Manchester, UK & Hyderabad, India, and increased commercial manufacturing capacity in Bidar, India, Sai is working with 17 of the top 20 pharma companies globally, as well as many leading smaller biotechs. We work with our clients to accelerate the discovery, development and manufacture of complex small molecules for a healthier tomorrow. With more than 3000 staff globally and ambitious growth plans, our vision is to support our global innovator partners to bring 25 new medicines to life by 2025.

In 2019 the company began an organisation-wide initiative to significantly expand and upgrade its R&D and manufacturing facilities, deepen scientific & technological capabilities, strengthen automation and data systems, and above all raise the bar for safety, quality and customer focus. Guided by the insights and feedback from its customers, it committed to investing over US$150M between 2019 and 2023. Part of this investment in 2020 were the new state of the art laboratories in our centre of excellence for process chemistry and analytical development at the Alderley Park Science Park, situated on the outskirts of Manchester.  Our overall team currently consists of >60 multi-disciplinary scientists (chemists, analysts and engineers).

Non-GMP manufacture of kg quantities of intermediates and APIs is currently possible within our bespoke Scale-up laboratory facility and a new GMP Kilo-lab facility was brought online in 2023 capable of kg quantities of GMP API suitable for early phase clinical studies.  Developed processes are frequently transferred to Sai’s manufacturing sites in India for further scale-up when required.

This role is a great opportunity to lead Process Chemistry teams and leaders.  You will get to work closely with some of the most innovative biotech and pharma companies on their most important programs.

The role will be based in Alderley Park, Cheshire, UK and will require right to work in the UK. Occasional travel, domestic and international to India may be required.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Scientific and Line Leader who is seeking a new challenge.
 

• You will join a team that identifies, develops and optimises synthetic routes to APIs, supporting both early and late phase development. 
• The candidate would lead a group of process chemistry teams and would also be expected to generate and review technical proposals for potential new projects and to lead the delivery of the client’s chemistry projects.
• The candidate will own the resource management and staff development for the chemistry group and oversee the delivery of projects at the Manchester site.
• The successful candidate will have a background in Organic Chemistry combined with demonstrated expertise in synthetic route and process development for the manufacture of APIs, intermediates and raw materials, technology transfer and scale-up
• The successful candidate will also have experience of line management and enabling the personal development of a high-performing team.
• Experience in quality by design, statistical experimental design and preparation for regulatory submissions would also be advantageous.

Essential Requirements
 

• Higher or bachelor's degree in chemistry or related scientific discipline with relevant experience in Process or Synthetic Chemistry Project or Team Leadership.
• Experienced in the design, development and optimisation of chemistry routes and processes for the scale-up of novel APIs, intermediates and raw materials, working alongside analysts and engineers.
• A demonstrated ability to manage several projects in different stages of development at the same time and to lead and drive the scientific output of those projects.
• Strong scientific track record with both project and line leadership experience.
• The successful candidate will have worked in multidisciplinary teams with demonstrated expertise in process development for the manufacture of APIs, intermediates and raw materials, technology transfer and scale-up.
• The successful candidate will also have experience of line management and enabling the personal development of a team of scientists.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• To be a key part of the process chemistry departmental leadership team and oversee departmental objective setting and continuous improvement.
• Ensure that projects are appropriately resourced and set up for success.
• Align staff development with organizational objectives.
• Line management and personal development responsibility for a group of process chemistry teams.
• Responsible for the scientific output of the chemistry team and their contribution to customer projects.
• Act as the key interface between the Sai team and the customer on chemistry projects.
• To be part of the Sai Manchester Site Leadership Team – and contribute to the management of the Site, working with the Head of R&D and head of Site and other Technical heads of department.
• Line management and personal development responsibility for direct reports which would include team members and first line managers
• Work within multi-functional project teams operating to tight deadlines, working collaboratively with other departments.

Key Attributes

• Excellent communication; both verbal and written.
• Ability to build global relationships with colleagues in India and partner organisations
• Ability to influence key stakeholders.
• A team player and proven leader, line manager and manager of managers.
• Conscientious with a can-do attitude and good attention to detail.
• Good project management and supervisory skills.

The Offer

• A competitive Salary and Benefits package including bonus, company pension, health and life insurance, 28 days holiday per year and enhanced family leave. 
• Work in a state-of-the-art facility on one of the country's leading Biotech & Life Science Parks.
• Flexible working hours and conditions to suit the right candidate.

Next steps

Please send your CV and cover letter to UKrecruitment@sailife.com with details of the role that you are applying for.

As an Equal Opportunities employer, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

Please note that Sai Life Sciences Ltd is unable to sponsor the visas for any candidates for the above role.