Head of Operations & Engineering
Launch your career to new heights at Eirgen Pharma
With an ambitious growth plan, increased focus on strategic growth options as well as heightened delivery performance Eirgen has created a new C suite structure resulting in the promotion of key internal leaders.
As a result of these promotions, we are recruiting several leadership roles to join our Senior Leadership Team and help drive our business strategy forward.
Eirgen was founded in 2005 and since then we have continually grown and now employ over 180
employees at our site in Waterford. Our strengths lie in our capability to rapidly introduce new
products and add additional volume to existing products - ensuring supply for new product launches and expanding market opportunities.
What makes us different is that while we continue to grow our business we have still maintained that small company feel to our culture which enables us to ensure that our employees are always front and center in everything we do. By creating a progressive and dynamic working environment, where hard work and enjoyment aren’t mutually exclusive, we have created a high performing, people-centric culture which allows us to work in an environment where the focus is always on ensuring that the patient comes first. Eirgen prides itself on inclusive recruitment and working practices.
About the Job
Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer (COO), you will lead the development and implementation of strategies and operational practices within the Operations & Engineering functions of the organization, ensuring the successful delivery of business strategy and site objectives.
The Head of Operations & Engineering is responsible for leading all manufacturing, engineering,
technical services, and facilities operations to ensure efficient, compliant, and cost-effective
pharmaceutical production. This role ensures adherence to global regulatory standards, while driving operational excellence and supporting sustainable growth.
This position plays a critical leadership role in optimizing manufacturing processes, maintaining
inspection readiness, and supporting new product introductions.
Key duties of this role will include:
Operations Leadership
• Oversee all manufacturing activities including production execution and packaging operations.
• Ensure production targets are met while maintaining strict GMP compliance.
• Lead capacity planning and operational performance management.
• Develop and implement KPIs aligned with company objectives.
• Ensure operational readiness for new product introductions and technology transfers.
• Effectively manage the Finance Department through clear goal and expectation setting,
performance management, coaching, mentoring, engagement and stakeholder management
Engineering & Technical Services
• Manage engineering, maintenance, utilities, and facilities functions.
• Ensure equipment reliability, calibration, and lifecycle management.
• Oversee qualification and commissioning activities.
• Lead capital expenditure (CAPEX) planning and execution.
• Manage facility upgrades, expansions, and continuous improvement of infrastructure.
Regulatory & Quality Compliance
• Ensure manufacturing operations comply with cGMP and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain inspection readiness and support audits from regulatory authorities.
• Partner closely with Quality Assurance and Quality Control teams to ensure product integrity.
• Lead operational investigations related to deviations and implement corrective actions in
coordination with Quality.
Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
• Implement Lean Manufacturing and operational excellence initiatives.
• Drive improvements in productivity, cost control, and waste reduction.
• Optimize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Promote data-driven decision-making within operations and engineering.
• Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Leadership & People Management
• Build and develop high-performing production and engineering teams.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability structures.
• Drive workforce planning and succession development within operations.
• Promote a strong safety and compliance culture within manufacturing and engineering teams.
Strategic Contribution
• Contribute to operational strategy in alignment with the COO.
• Support business growth initiatives through capacity expansion and operational scalability.
• Provide technical and operational input into product development and commercialization
planning.
• Ensure operational risks are identified, mitigated, and escalated appropriately.
About you
The candidate is an effective leader and has built, managed and motivated teams in the past. They
should also have a proven track record as an influencer at senior management level, are analytical and a strong decision maker with excellent problem-solving skills. Able to manage change collaboratively and possess excellent written & verbal communication skills.
Candidates should be able to draw from many other attributes including critical thinking, customer
focus and time management. Have the ability to form positive relationships and enjoy collaborating, gaining knowledge and solving customer, partner, vendor and internal challenges/issues. Focused on Continuous Improvement they like to identify and initiate process and system changes to their conclusion ensuring delivery of results for the business.
The ideal candidate should have 10 years’ experience, preferably within a pharma or regulated
manufacturing setting along with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Science or a
related discipline. An MBA is advantageous for this role.
A preference for candidates with proven leadership of GMP-regulated manufacturing operations,
strong experience managing regulatory inspections and operational audits and/or experience in solid oral dose, sterile, or liquid manufacturing environments. Experience working with regulatory
agencies (e.g. FDA, EMA or equivalent) is key.
Working at Eirgen – What to expect
At Eirgen, we have developed a diverse, people-centric, high performance culture where people are enabled to achieve their potential. If you are working at Eirgen, then we think you’ve got something special. Our employees are high-performing and work as part of a cohesive team, they are dedicated people who are driven to succeed and are rewarded with competitive salaries and an attractive range of benefits including opportunities for career progression and continuing education.
Apply for the above role by sending your CV to opportunities@eirgen.com including the job title in the subject.
Direct applicants only. We are not accepting assistance from recruitment agencies at this time.