R&D Director (Portugal)

Hovione is an independent family owned international group of companies. From the beginning, we have set ourselves above and apart through our innovative technological and productive capabilities, reaching a top spot in the world market as an integrated Contract Development and Manufacturing Company dedicated to helping Pharmaceutical Customers bring new and off-patent drugs to market.

Our people are the main asset for our continued success. Reaching over 1950 team members, from 36 different nationalities, that are located across Asia, Europe and North America (Portugal, US, Macao, Ireland, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, and Switzerland), including 4 production sites.

Working at Hovione means reaching for innovation and excellence in everything we do: for our clients, our partners and, above all, our patients. That is why we are In it for life.

Location: Lumiar, Lisbon, Portugal

• Lead the development and implementation of the area R&D strategy including alignment with the area objectives and Global R&D
• Responsibility for leading the development, scale-up, registration/validation of drug substance, particle engineering and drug development programs for the area
• Promote the scientific excellence and innovation in the area and contribute with technical expertise to expand the Intellectual Property, product and technology portfolios.
• Establish the main objectives for the area, aligning these with R&D and Hovione’s corporate strategy
• Establish a clear area R&D strategy including resources, capital investment, new technologies etc in order to meet customer and business needs
• Ensure the development of safe, efficient, scalable, timely and cost-effective processes of commercial interest to Hovione
• Identify and assess new business opportunities, trends and market needs, in collaboration with commercial colleagues, and ensure the use of up to date / best technology, processes and work practices
• Facilitate and manage a culture of innovation within the group focused upon creating new technology value and solving existing technical challenges in alignment with the global R&D strategy
• Develop and manage metrics designed to monitor performance and improves efficiencies, quality and HSE culture within the area
• Devise and coordinate the implementation of new procedures or the change of existing ones, according to ruling COPs, SOPs and IOPs
• Represent the R&D area (or nominate delegates) on meetings with clients, external and internal audits and for Product/Project teams.
• Ensure the information flows between the R&D areas, the several internal and external customers and stakeholders
• Promote scientific activities (i.e. seminars, congress participations, innovation ideas, papers and publications), innovation and implementation of new methodologies within the R&D area
• Manage the R&D team including recruitment, integration, training needs and performance management in accordance with the company's HR policies and ensuring the team is aligned and motivated towards achieving Hovione's goals.
• Develop and propose for approval the short and mid-term goals, annual budget and budget plan in line with the corporate strategy, in order to align activities with Hovione's strategic objectives.
• Prepare and propose the annual area budget for the annual area R&D budget.
• Ensure compliance with GMP and HSE guidelines, internal and external requirements as well as promote the implementation and maintenance of Hovione´s policies, systems and procedures (COPs, HBR, SOPs and others).

• PhD or Masters’ degree in one of the following areas Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Sciences or related field.
• Minimum 8 - 10 years of relevant experience in Research & Development or Manufacturing Sciences in the Pharmaceutical Industry
• Demonstrated track record in building R&D capabilities, ideally within a CDMO environment
• Client relationship experience
• Possess extensive knowledge of Heat Transfer, Scale-up, Process Safety and Industrial Operations, or of drug product unit operations, solids flow phenomena and process equipment principals and practices, and is able to lead others on them
• Good communication skills (verbal and written)
• Skilled at driving processes and tools
• Fluency in English is a requirement
• Must have the Knowledge, Experience and Skills to conduct their tasks in accordance with the rules and procedures set down.

Hovione is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer

Inclusion and diversity are key to us. At Hovione, that means a work environment where differences are valued, and everyone is treated with fairness and respect. We want all our team members worldwide to feel supported, respected, and have the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of their age, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation or ethnicity.