Process Team Lead (Solid Production Supervisor)

Band
Level 4

Job Description Summary
Job Purpose
The Process Team Lead is responsible for overseeing daily manufacturing operations within the Manufacturing Unit, fostering a culture of empowerment, accountability, and continuous improvement. The role ensures the delivery of high-quality products in compliance with GMP, HSE, and Novartis standards while maximizing operational efficiency, productivity, and team performance.

Job Description
Major Accountabilities
Manufacturing Operations & Shop Floor Leadership

- Provide visible leadership on the shop floor through regular presence, walkthroughs, and operational support.

- Ensure adequate resource planning and allocation based on production workload and business priorities.

- Review and manage production schedules within the operational horizon, considering risks, constraints, and opportunities.

- Ensure continuity of production flow through effective coordination of personnel, materials, consumables, equipment, documentation, and supporting services.

- Set operational priorities and adjust plans when unforeseen events occur.

- Optimize the utilization of human and technical resources to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

- Monitor and drive implementation of CAPAs and actions related to operational performance indicators.

- Own shop floor service support activities and management of external workforce supporting cleaning and material handling operations.

- Support technical batch release activities, including batch record review, SOP maintenance, and process documentation management.

- Lead incident reporting, investigations, root cause analyses, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.

- Demonstrate ownership of manufacturing processes and products, ensuring sustainable operational performance.
Leadership & People Development

- Act as a role model for Novartis Values & Behaviors and promote a culture of trust, collaboration, accountability, and inclusion.

- Translate strategic objectives into clear team goals, priorities, and action plans.

- Build, engage, and motivate high-performing teams that consistently deliver business results.

- Ensure associates are appropriately trained and qualified before performing GMP activities independently.

- Monitor training compliance and competency development of team members.

- Provide coaching, feedback, and performance management support to direct reports and Shift Leaders.

- Facilitate effective decision-making and problem-solving within the team.

- Promote cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing across manufacturing teams.

- Support talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
Quality, Compliance & HSE

- Ensure full compliance with GMP, HSE, Novartis Quality Management Systems, and applicable regulatory requirements.

- Maintain inspection readiness and support successful internal and external audits and regulatory inspections.

- Promote a strong safety and quality culture through leadership, accountability, and continuous awareness.

- Ensure implementation and effectiveness of Business Continuity Plans within the area of responsibility.

- Act as the owner of quality and compliance practices defined within the Novartis Manufacturing Manual.

- Drive proactive identification, reporting, and resolution of quality and safety risks.
Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

- Champion Operational Excellence through Lean Leadership, Visual Management, Tiered Accountability, Leader Standard Work, and Gemba practices.

- Lead improvement initiatives including TPM, process optimization, technology transfer, digitalization, and productivity improvement projects.

- Drive improvements in Overall Asset Effectiveness (OAE), yield, cycle time, and operational performance metrics.

- Facilitate Root Cause Investigations (RCIs), Kaizens, and problem-solving workshops to eliminate losses and improve performance.

- Utilize data analytics, visualization, and performance monitoring to identify improvement opportunities.

- Ensure sustainability of implemented improvements and achievement of targeted business benefits.

- Contribute actively to site Continuous Improvement strategy and project prioritization activities.

Key Performance Indicators
People

- Employee engagement and satisfaction

- Training compliance and qualification status

- Talent development and succession readiness

- Retention and attraction of key talent
Supply & Delivery

- Production volume achievement

- Schedule adherence

- Launch and commercialization performance

- Supply Excellence KPIs
Quality & Compliance

- Batch success rate

- Right-First-Time performance

- Audit and inspection outcomes

- Reduction of human error-related deviations

- Batch documentation quality
Safety

- Lost Time Injury (LTI) rate

- Safety observation and action completion performance
Cost & Productivity

- Budget adherence

- Headcount management

- Cost of non-quality reduction

- Yield and OAE improvements
Continuous Improvement

- Delivery of Operational Excellence projects

- Financial benefits generated through improvement initiatives

- Sustainability of implemented actions

Essential Requirements
Education

- Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Technology, Life Sciences, or a related field.
Experience

- Minimum 5 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry within a GMP-regulated environment.

- Minimum 2 years of people leadership or supervisory experience is preferred.

- Experience in commercial manufacturing operations is highly desirable.
Technical & Functional Skills

- Strong knowledge of GMP regulations and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.

- Good understanding of Quality Systems and Health Authority requirements.

- Experience with manufacturing systems (MES, SAP, or equivalent).

- Knowledge of Lean Management and Operational Excellence methodologies.

- Experience in process improvement, problem solving, and root cause investigation.
Leadership Competencies

- Strong leadership and people development capabilities.

- Effective communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.

- Proven ability to lead change and drive organizational performance.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.

- Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Languages

- Advanced English proficiency.

- Fluent Turkish.

Skills Desired
Data Analytics