Pharma Site IT Head

Role Summary

The Pharma Site IT Lead will provide strategic and operational leadership for all IT, Digital Manufacturing, Automation, Smart Labs, and Operational Technology (OT) initiatives across Pharma Manufacturing and R&D sites.

This role will serve as the primary technology partner to Site Leadership, Manufacturing, R&D, Engineering, Quality, and Global IT teams, ensuring reliable, secure, compliant, and future-ready technology operations within a highly regulated pharmaceutical environment.

The role is responsible for driving Industry 4.0 transformation, enabling smart manufacturing capabilities, strengthening IT/OT convergence, and leveraging advanced technologies including AI/ML, IoT, cloud analytics, and automation to improve operational efficiency, compliance, and business agility.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own end-to-end IT leadership for the Pharma Manufacturing & R&D Sites covering IT Operations, Digital Manufacturing, Automation, Smart Labs and OT systems.
• Act as the primary technology partner to Site Leadership, Manufacturing, R&D, and Engineering teams.
• Drive Industry 4.0, Smart Factory, Smart Labs, and IoT initiatives across shop-floor, labs, warehouses and utilities.
• Ensure reliable, secure and compliant operation of core manufacturing systems including MES, LIMS, DCS, SCADA, Historian and Serialization.
• Lead digital transformation programs focused on predictive maintenance, real-time analytics, AI/ML use cases and paperless manufacturing.
• Ensure full compliance with GxP, Data Integrity (ALCOA+), CSV, and regulatory expectations (USFDA, EMA, MHRA, etc.).
• Manage site IT budgets, vendors, system integrators and technology partners.
• Build and mentor high-performing site IT and automation teams with strong succession planning.
• Collaborate with Global IT, Architecture and Digital teams to align site initiatives with enterprise standards.

YEAR ONE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

• Stabilize and standardize all critical manufacturing and R&D systems at the site.
• Define a Digital roadmap for Manufacturing & R&D IT inline with functional goals and strategies.
• Deliver at least 35 high-impact Industry 4.0 / IoT use cases with measurable business value.
• Leverage use of AI and ML in Batch manufacturing, automation and predictive maintenance.
• Improve system availability, data integrity and audit readiness across the site.
• Establish a robust IT/OT governance framework with high security.
• Build strong credibility and trust with Site Leadership and Global IT stakeholders.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Engineering, Technology or related discipline.
• 22+ years of experience leveraging Information Technology, Digital, IoT and Industry 4.0 in large-scale manufacturing environments.
• Minimum 10+ years in Pharma / Life Sciences manufacturing with strong exposure to regulated systems.
• Proven leadership experience managing complex IT, Automation and OT landscapes at manufacturing sites.
• Deep understanding of MES, DCS, SCADA, LIMS, Historian, Serialization and Cloud-based analytics platforms.
• Strong experience in regulatory inspections, audits and remediation programs.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and executive presence.
• Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on when required in a plant environment.