An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a Head of Research & Development and Innovation to play a pivotal role in managing the product development lifecycle, including development and introduction of new products, coordination of stability studies, and formulation development within the Medicines Manufacturing Centre (MMC). The role will also lead on the development of new and innovative methods of manufacture within the MMC such as robotics, fully automated or semi-automated systems as well as working with the MMC senior management team to scope out and deliver further MMC facility and service development opportunities.
Based in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, the MMC is a state-of-the-art NHS facility dedicated to the sterile manufacture of injectable medicinal products. Operating under MHRA Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, the MMC will ensure a secure supply chain for Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) products for the next 10 years, while also delivering Ready-to-Administer (RtA) medicines to enable nurses to spend more time on patient care.
At MMC, patients and quality are at the heart of everything we do. The success of MMC relies on delivering safe, effective, and innovative medicines for NHS patients. This role is vital in ensuring safe, efficacious products and effective manufacturing processes to maximise delivery of medicines across the North East and North Cumbria region.
You will be responsible for delivering new medicinal products and purchasing and introducing new equipment to ensure the MMC is a leading- and cutting-edge pharmaceutical manufacturing facility as well as supporting the Head of Quality and Head of Production in assuring excellence in quality and GMP standards.

• Provide specialist technical advice and support to ensure development and introduction of GMP compliant systems and equipment at the manufacturing site.
• Lead on the development of new and innovative methods of manufacture within the MMC such as robotics, fully automated or semi-automated systems.
  Manage the product development lifecycle, including development and introduction of new products, coordination of stability studies, and formulation development.
  Manage any process modifications to improve efficiency of established products, and allow longer shelf lives.
  Perform external audits, assessing the standards of suppliers of, equipment, starting materials and services.
  In conjunction with MMC SMT develop and lead on the preparation of robust business cases to support new business opportunities.
  The MMC is in its final design stages, with facility construction planned through to September 2025. Initially, staff will be employed by Northumbria Healthcare Foundation NHS Trust, with employment transferring to the Medicines Manufacturing Centre Legal Liability Partnership (LLP) upon its formation under TUPE regulations.
  This is a unique opportunity to shape the development and introduction of medicines and specialist manufacturing equipment, ensuring that the MMC delivers the right medicines across the North East and North Cumbria region. If you are passionate about leading new developments in medicines manufacturing, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help build the next generation of NHS medicines manufacturing professionals.
  To lead on the implementation of a strategy to ensure a robust and fit for purpose workforce within both the MMC NENC PvCv / ICS.
  Manage the product development lifecycle, including development and introduction of new products, coordination of stability studies, and formulation development.
  Manage any process modifications to improve efficiency of established products, and allow longer shelf lives. Publish data in collaboration with national workstreams leading to improvements in patient care nationwide
  Manage procurement, importation and testing of specialist starting materials, made available to national network of manufacturing sites, using MMC as single point of impor