General Manager, Production at The Kenya BioVax Institute

Job Purpose:

The General Manager, Production shall provide overall leadership, accountability and responsibility for production activities including raw materials specifications to ensure consistent availability of the Institute’s full range of finished products at the right quantity, quality, cost and timely manner. The GM Production shall guide in proper planning and coordination of production activities within the Institute to meet market requirements while creating linkages and coordinating knowledge transfer of production standards/processes/procedures in accordance with national, regional and international standards.

Requirements:

• A minimum period of twelve (12) years relevant work experience four (4) years of which must have been in a management position in the public or private sector;
• Manufacturing and research science experience;
• Demonstrated merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results
• Master’s degree in any of the following disciplines: Pharmaceutical Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biochemical engineering or equivalent Life Sciences discipline from a recognized institution;
• Bachelor’s degree in the following disciplines of life sciences: pharmacy, pharmacology, microbiology, biomedical science, biomedical engineering, biology, biometry, medicine, virology, immunology, biotechnology and veterinary medicine, Chemical Engineering or Chemistry with emphasis in relevant area (analytical, industrial, organic, physical, biochemistry, materials science);
• Membership to a relevant professional body; and
• Leadership course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution.

Job Specification

Key Competencies and skills

• Leadership and Managerial skills;
• Negotiation and influencing skills;
• Interpersonal skills;
• Budgeting and planning;
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations;
• Analytical and conceptual skills;
• Ability to form and maintain partnerships and collaborations;
• Excellent writing and communication skills;
• High emotional intelligence;
• Organizational skills including planning, monitoring and controlling;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Team building,
• Adaptability;
• Accountability;
• Decision making and problem-solving;
• Conflict management skills;
• Supervisory, coaching and mentoring skills;
• Integrity; and
• Results-driven

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee the development and manufacture of vaccines, biologicals, and biomedical products that comply with local and international standards (such as World Health Organization, Pharmacy and Poisons Board, among others);
• Spearhead the process of designing, planning, and implementation of Product Development and production;
• Enforce adherence to international research protocols and best practice, training and mentoring of scientists as well as engineering;
• Oversee planning, implementation, and management of biologicals and technologies development and production;
• Oversee proper management and accountability of resources allocated to the technical programs;
• Provide oversight and coordinating production activities in liaison with other relevant stakeholders;
• Guide timely preparation of Board papers on relevant technical matters;
• Advise on all matters relating to production in the Institute;
• Lead in the development, implementation, review and monitoring of departmental performance targets;
• Manage Departments assets and institute operational accountability in liaison with Heads of relevant functional areas;
• Spearhead implementation of production quality management systems;
• Facilitate the development of dynamic knowledge management systems for use now and in the future;
• Inculcate Risk management strategies in the department;
• Liaise with relevant functional areas on production forecasting and sales;
• Guide in development of production-related strategic proposals and resource mobilization for the department;
• Contribute to current innovation, technical and operational knowledge on matters affecting pharmaceutical industry through publications, editorials, among others;
• Coordinate the development and implementation of departmental work plans, budgets and performance targets;
• Lead the development of departmental long-term strategic plans and projects;