General Manager – US Operations

The GM will ensure succession plans are in place to provide continuity of leadership in key roles. The GM will work with HR to develop a relevant performance management systems for staff consistent with company objectives. The GM will clearly communicate performance expectations, support staff and develop initiatives to minimize critical personnel turnover. The GM will align people management efforts with peer group and look for areas of mutual support/benefit.  The GM will develop and maintain effective strategic relationships with key stakeholders, will co-ordinate all activities with the group and its client, CRM and other strategies plus ensure strong internal communications on same. The GM will develop a wide range of relationships and networks with appropriate individuals and organizations. The GM will effectively manage customer and other stakeholders expectations through all communication and marketing channels available and will represent the organization at relevant industry forums, events, awards as required. The GM will contribute to the creation, communication and implementation of business strategy and will take a proactive role in the formulation of future strategic objectives for the business. The GM will take ownership of strategy updates to all staff, focusing on planning staff meetings and supporting CEO communications. The GM will monitor and check that resources (people and capital) are aligned with business and customer needs.

The GM will ensure that team members are provided adequate training to perform their tasks safely and comply with the HS&E policy, will ensure that all hazards have been identified and the associated risks assessed and reduced, will conduct regular self-audits and record results as Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) that are measured and reviewed.  The GM will ensure that risk control measures are reviewed on at least an annual basis, will consult and co-operate with HS&E Manager and senior management on matters relating to health, safety and environment.

The successful candidate will be an individual who has shown drive, enthusiasm and creative thought that has led to striking success in previous roles and now would like to work for a rapidly expanding company and take it to the next level. Evidence of leadership and including protection and/or development of culture is a must. The culture is very good within the organization and the organization would like to keep the culture. The GM should be exampled by an ability to understand the team and it’s needs are priorities and, the GM should have a burning desire to help their team and the broader business unit strive to realize its potential. Potential is not simply meeting short term financial outcomes, rather it is seeing the way to sustainable long term growth and prosperity. The mind-set and cultural health of the team will be central to this.

Qualifications  include relevant qualifications that has a logical fit with the sector and position (in the fields of engineering; business; finance/accounting).  Qualifications include senior management experience in a science based industry (pharmaceuticals preferred), an understanding of a business model which uses global support (shared) services egg, IT, Finance, HR, exposure to pharmaceutical manufacturing and/or pharmaceutical research, previous experience in manufacturing environments, significant senior management operations management experience, comprehensive knowledge of supply chain optimization and management in a highly regulated environment-knowledge must cover aspects of internal and external. Experience in supporting business development presentations and negotiating supply contracts is required along with experience in managing customer relationships with the ability to develop business and grow revenue. The GM will have experience in transitioning business/change management, solid financial literacy with fluency in and ability to contribute to and analyze an integrated P&L, balance sheet and cash flow system, international business experience,  interpersonal skills combined with clear business acumen, proven strategic thinking and implementation capability operation in a highly regulated sector-preferably health related, demonstrated track record in translating strategic direction in top results, knowledge and experience working in the Northern Hemisphere (preferably USA or Europe), demonstrable experience in developing and implementing robust strategic planning, experience working in an organization in growth mode, designing and aligning people and scalable systems to support future growth, strong people leadership capability and communication skills, ability to think and act with agility at both a strategic and tactical level, proven leadership skills, robust negotiation skills, strong communication skills, computer literacy with the standards Microsoft Office products, financial systems, project management tools and databases. The GM will have the proven ability to gain trust, lead and influence at a strategic and operational level and will have the ability to develop, articulate and manage a business plan. The GM will build trust and maintain credibility, at times under significant pressure while understanding the needs to establish the best trade-offs. The GM will have the ability to establish and manage relationships with peers, wider staff and the Senior team. The GM will convey information and ideas accurately and clearly in a way that meets the audience, will be commercially and politically astute in a way that develops and sustains operational/strategic relationships that contribute to the organization’s overall benefit. The successful candidate will have significant professional experience in a senior leadership role, is a self-starter and keen to accept responsibility for the manager of the total in-house and outsourced production, demonstrated ability to be a “change leader” with specific reference to building a performance-based culture and manage people to achieve clear targets. The GM is known for high work standards, ethics and personal integrity and will support both team and individual development.