Plant Head (Pharmaceutical Manufacturing)

Plant Head (Pharmaceutical Manufacturing)Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing – Sterile Parenteral Products

Employment Type: Full-time | Expatriate OpportunityExperience: 10–15+ Years

Employment Type: Full-time, ExpatriateAbout the RoleWe are seeking an experienced Plant Head / General Manager to lead operations at an IV Fluids/Infusion manufacturing facility specializing in Large Volume Parenterals (LVP) and Small Volume Parenterals (SVP).The ideal candidate will have extensive pharmaceutical manufacturing experience, a strong background in sterile/parenteral manufacturing, and the leadership capabilities to transition a plant from commissioning to stable commercial production while ensuring operational efficiency, product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.Key ResponsibilitiesLead overall plant operations, including Production, Quality Control, Engineering, Warehouse, HR & Administration, and Security.Drive production planning, operational efficiency, capacity utilization, and cost control.Oversee the transition from plant commissioning and project handover to full-scale commercial manufacturing.Ensure manufacturing operations comply with approved procedures, WHO GMP/cGMP requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.Ensure reliable operation and maintenance of critical utilities, including Water for Injection (WFI), pure steam, HVAC, and backup power systems.Monitor production performance, inventory management, equipment uptime, and operational budgets.Work closely with Quality Assurance, Finance, and Sales & Marketing to support business objectives and production commitments.Ensure plant readiness for regulatory inspections, WHO Prequalification assessments, and customer audits.Lead workforce development, employee safety, site security, and compliance with local statutory requirements.Establish standardized operational systems and best practices to support future business expansion.Required Qualifications & ExperienceGraduate or postgraduate degree in Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent technical discipline.MBA or an equivalent management qualification is preferred.15–20+ years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, including at least 5 years in a Plant Head, General Manager, or Site Operations Head role at a sterile/parenteral manufacturing facility.Proven experience managing an IV Fluids/LVP or injectable manufacturing plant at commercial scale.Experience in plant commissioning, start-up, and transition to commercial production is highly desirable.Strong knowledge of WHO GMP/cGMP requirements, sterile manufacturing practices, and relevant ICH guidelines.Sound understanding of production planning, operational budgeting, cost control, and pharmaceutical inventory management.Prior experience in Africa or other emerging markets is an advantage.Key CompetenciesStrong operational leadership and decision-making skills.Excellent cross-functional coordination and team management.Ability to maintain high standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.Hands-on approach to problem-solving in challenging operational environments.Strategic mindset with the ability to build scalable operational systems.Additional RequirementsWillingness to relocate to and work full-time in Kinshasa, DR Congo.French fluency is strongly preferred, with working proficiency in English required.Interested CandidatesIf you have significant experience in sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly IV Fluids/LVP or injectable production, and are ready to take on a plant leadership role in an international environment, we would like to hear from you.Please share your updated CV or apply directly on (Vaishali@themigration.company)