Head of Supply Chain and Facility Management

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About us

The King's College London Gene Therapy Vector Facility (GTVF) provides comprehensive GMP-grade viral vector manufacturing services, including Lentiviral Vector (LV), Retroviral Vector (RV) and Adeno-Associated Viral Vector (AAV) production for early-phase clinical trials, alongside substantial programmes in process innovation, knowledge transfer, and training to address critical skills shortages.

The GTVF is run by a large, industry-leading team of over 50 people who have extensive experience in delivering end-to-end viral vector manufacture for both academic and commercial clients, focusing on early-stage clinical trials.

About the role

The Head of Supply Chain and Facility Management for the Gene Therapy Vector Facility (GTVF) at Kings is a new role responsible for managing the Technical and Facility teams. This function is responsible for maintaining the facility, environmental monitoring, procurement, and material management activities. The post holder will work with colleagues in Production, Quality Assurance, Project Management, Business Development, Process, and Analytical Development to ensure the facility is operational to facilitate project delivery.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Director of GTVF and report to the Quality Director. They will lead the Supply Chain and Facility Management function and be responsible for leading a team of GMP technical specialists and facility management specialists. This function will ensure the facility is operational, cleanroom and equipment qualification is performed, preventative maintenance is managed, and environmental monitoring and reporting are conducted. Additionally, the role includes supplier management, procurement, and material management to meet the demands of GTVF project activities. The post holder will also manage quality activities and compliance within the function, supporting quality risk assessments, change controls, and developing procedures while identifying and implementing improvements in operations.

The post holder will be responsible for managing EHS and sustainability within the Supply Chain and Facility Management function, ensuring procedures and risk assessments are conducted. The post holder will lead a team of 6 staff, ensuring the function has the remit and resources to meet the needs of GTVF, maintain a compliant facility, contribute to the delivery of customer projects, and support the business plan for the facility.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. Degree in a relevant science, engineering, or life science discipline
2. Extensive experience working in a commercial organization within GMP Pharma/Biotech/Contract Manufacturing organization (CMO) sectors
3. Extensive experience with facility and equipment management
4. Significant experience in supply chain/material management and knowledge of supply assurance and management
5. Extensive experience in the qualification of GMP facilities and equipment
6. Extensive experience of managing change through the GMP change control system
7. Significant experience in building and leading a team, with the ability to manage through influence and negotiation in a complex environment
8. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, high level of work organization, self-motivation, drive for performance and improvement, and flexibility

Desirable criteria

1. Understanding of and familiarity with regulatory guidance governing cell-based and biopharmaceutical development

Further Information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues to continue to support our people and develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV and a supporting statement detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

We are not able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.