Group Operations Director

Global Operations Director

Full-time, permanent

Location: UK Welwyn Garden City office-based (EU, or India considered; must be willing to relocate to the UK office)

Reports to: Senior Leadership / CEO

Company Overview

Novumgen Limited is a dynamic, UK-based pharmaceutical company, headquarters in London)focused on developing, manufacturing, and supplying innovative, high-quality medicines that address unmet medical needs. The company specialises in areas including oncology, inflammation & immunology, anti-infectives, and rare diseases. It combines research and development, product licensing (in & out), co-development, technology transfer, contract manufacturing, and commercialisation across regulated and semi-regulated markets.

With a growing portfolio (hundreds of products developed and ready dossiers), operations and R&D presence across the UK, Europe, and India, and business activities in 30+ countries, Novumgen is a fast-growing young company building global manufacturing, supply chain, and commercial capabilities. It emphasises quality, regulatory excellence, innovation, and patient impact while expanding multi-site manufacturing and third-party logistics (3PL) networks.

Role Purpose

The Global Operations Director will lead and transform multi-site manufacturing, global demand planning, supply chain, and commercial operations for this high-growth organisation. The role owns end-to-end operational excellence across EU, UK, Middle East, Asia, and other markets, driving efficient product launches, new market entries, 3PL partnerships, continuous improvement (including AI-enabled tools), and people development. This is a hands-on leadership position suited to someone who thrives in a fast-moving environment and is ready to scale operations rapidly.

Key Responsibilities

• Multi-site Manufacturing Operations: Oversee and optimise manufacturing operations across multiple sites in the EU, UK, Middle East, Asia, and other regions. Ensure GMP compliance, capacity planning, quality standards, technology transfers, and efficient production of solid dosage forms and other formulations. Align manufacturing with global demand and commercial priorities.
• Global Demand Planning & Supply Chain: Lead integrated demand planning, forecasting, inventory management, procurement, and end-to-end supply chain across international markets. Build resilient networks that support growth while controlling costs and ensuring on-time delivery.
• Commercial Operations & Product Launches: Drive commercial operations, including successful product launches in existing and new markets. Coordinate cross-functional activities (regulatory, quality, sales, marketing, and supply) for market entry, lifecycle management, and portfolio expansion.
• New Market Setup & 3PL Partnerships: Establish new markets by identifying, onboarding, and managing 3PL partners. Oversee 3PL sites in multiple countries, including performance management, contracts, compliance, and service level agreements to support global distribution.
• Continuous Improvement & Digital/AI Enablement: Champion continuous improvement programmes. Implement AI-enabled efficiency tools, automation, and data-driven processes to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve decision-making across operations and supply chain.
• Training, Development & People Leadership: Build high-performing teams through training, coaching, and development. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence. Manage and develop leadership across multi-site and multi-country teams.
• Additional responsibilities include strategic planning with senior leadership, risk management, regulatory and quality alignment, cost optimisation, and supporting overall company growth objectives. The role involves significant travel as needed.

What We Are Looking For

• Proven experience managing multi-site manufacturing operations and global supply chains in the pharmaceutical or related regulated industry.
• Demonstrated track record of leading teams of 300+ people across multiple sites and geographies.
• Strong background in demand planning, 3PL management, product launches, and new market entry/setup.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies and openness to (or experience with) AI-enabled tools and digital transformation in operations.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and commercial acumen; comfortable operating in a fast-growing, entrepreneurial environment.
• Willingness to take on the challenge of scaling operations in a young, rapidly expanding company.
• Relevant qualifications (e.g., degree in engineering, operations, supply chain, pharmacy, or related field); advanced degrees or certifications (Six Sigma, APICS, etc.) advantageous.
• Fluency in English; additional languages beneficial given multi-region footprint.

Location & Working Arrangement

Office-based at the UK headquarters (or designated UK site). Candidates currently located inthe UK, EU, or India are welcome; relocation support for the UK office will be considered for the right candidate. Travel to manufacturing sites, 3PL partners, and key markets is expected.

Why Join Novumgen?

This is an opportunity to shape the operational backbone of a fast-growing pharmaceutical company with a clear mission to deliver innovative medicines globally. You will have significant scope, autonomy, and impact while working with an experienced leadership team.