Mantell Associates is partnered with a leading CDMO who is seeking a General Manager to oversee a strategically important manufacturing site in Germany.
This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced pharmaceutical operations professional to take full responsibility for site performance, driving operational excellence, commercial success, and long-term growth. The successful candidate will lead a large cross-functional team while ensuring the highest standards of quality, compliance, customer delivery, and financial performance.
General Manager – Responsibilities:
- Lead all site operations, ensuring the delivery of business objectives across manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, continuous improvement, and EHS functions
- Develop and execute site strategy aligned with wider organisational goals and growth plans
- Drive a culture of operational excellence through the implementation of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
- Partner with executive leadership to identify strategic opportunities, enhance site capabilities, and support long-term business objectives
- Ensure compliance with GMP regulations, quality standards, and all applicable health, safety, and environmental requirements
- Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing leadership team, creating a strong succession pipeline across critical functions
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and employee engagement throughout the organisation
- Work closely with commercial teams to ensure customer expectations are met and operational delivery remains best-in-class
- Maintain strong relationships with customers, supporting business retention and growth through exceptional service delivery
- Hold full responsibility for site financial performance, including P&L ownership, budgeting, forecasting, and cost management
- Monitor and analyse operational and financial KPIs, implementing actions to improve productivity, efficiency, and profitability
General Manager – Requirements:
- Degree qualified in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Operations Management, Chemistry, or a related discipline; advanced qualifications preferred
- Extensive leadership experience within pharmaceutical manufacturing, CDMO, or regulated life sciences environments
- Demonstrated success leading large-scale manufacturing operations and delivering measurable operational improvements
- Strong understanding of GMP regulations, quality systems, and compliance requirements within pharmaceutical production
- Proven experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, or Continuous Improvement programmes
- Track record of managing complex site operations with full P&L accountability
- Exceptional leadership, people development, and stakeholder management capabilities
- Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness and the ability to translate business objectives into operational execution
- Fluent in both German and English
- Willingness to be site-based in Germany
Mantell Associates is a specialist Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences headhunting firm. For more information on this opportunity, please contact us at +44 (0)20 3854 7700.