Global Technology Lead – Technical Operations, Spray Drying

Role Overview

• Own and continuously improve the global spray drying technology platform (standards, lifecycle stewardship, performance targets, and capability roadmap)
• Close interaction with the CAPEX and CMC project teams, with corresponding assumption of responsibility within these teams to implement the technology on time and in line with quality requirements
• Accountable for global Spray Drying technology decisions, including process standards, technical risk acceptance, and justified deviations
• Sets global standards and acts as the escalation point for complex Spray Drying technical issues
• Owns the relevant framework, such as the associated documentation
• Define and maintain global best practices for spray drying, including process design, scale-up approach, CPP/control strategy principles, cleaning concepts, and qualification/validation readiness
• Lead and support technology transfer and industrialization of spray drying processes from development or pilot into GMP manufacturing
• Act as technical authority for troubleshooting, investigations, and robustness improvements across sites
• Set global standards for equipment evaluation, selection, and specification; partner closely with Engineering and Manufacturing on design inputs and operational requirements
• Act as the global technical lead for Spray Drying in CAPEX and CMC projects by ensuring Spray Drying technology choices support scalability, compliance, and operational excellence
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, OT, Digital Manufacturing and Data Science, and Quality to ensure consistent GMP execution and inspection readiness for spray drying topics
• Drive execution via projects and cross-functional workstreams, mobilizing stakeholders through matrix and lateral leadership
• Establish structured knowledge-sharing (guidelines, templates, lessons learned, training concepts, expert community)
• Enable data-driven process monitoring and continuous improvement through structured reviews and trending

Requirements

• University degree (Master or PhD) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field
• At least 10 years of professional experience in pharma or CDMO environments with progressive responsibility in MS&T, technical operations, or platform/technology leadership roles
• Strong hands-on industrial experience in spray drying within regulated manufacturing environments; pharma or CDMO experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience with scale-up, tech transfer, and industrialization of spray drying processes
• Proven ability to lead complex topics through projects and lateral leadership without direct reports
• Experience working in global, multi-site, cross-functional environments
• Deep expertise in spray drying unit operations, equipment design considerations, and process robustness
• Strong understanding of GMP requirements and qualification/validation expectations
• Solid technical risk management and control strategy mindset
• Excellent written and spoken English (C1) is mandatory
• German proficiency is strongly preferred

Tech Stack

• C++

Benefits

• 60% coverage of pension fund contributions by Bachem AG as well as option for extra-mandatory pension provision with our Pension Plan Plus
• Access to the Swibeco benefits platform with discounts from external partners
• Fresh, healthy and varied food in our staff restaurant
• A wide range of free sports activities on the Bachem Campus