Job Description Summary
Lead one of Puurs' most pivotal digital transformations and help reshape how products are made, released, and delivered for patients. In this role, you'll steer the business workstream across a multi-phase journey—integrating warehouse and quality activities, implementing a new Manufacturing Execution System for production, and transitioning the site to SAP S/4HANA—while aligning stakeholders, managing scope, timelines, and budget, and guiding a cross-functional team of up to 25 internal and external experts. This is a temporary contract ending in March 2028.
The scope of this project consists of 3 phases :
- phase 1 : integration of warehouse/QA activities from Poema C/Poms to the current SAP-PEP
- phase 2 : implementation of GMT as the production MES, replacing POMS/Poema C
- phase 3 : replacement of current SAP-PEP by S/4-Hanna (=LDC)
Job Description
#LI-Hybrid
Location: Puurs, Belgium
Relocation Support: This role is based in Puurs, Belgium. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the business workstream for the Lean Digital Core and Global Manufacturing Technology transformation at site level
* Define project scope, timelines, and milestones, tracking progress, risks, and dependencies
* Build, lead, and develop a cross-functional team of up to 25 internal and external experts
* Provide clear direction, coaching, and decision-making to keep teams aligned and accountable
* Manage project budget, resources, and priorities to meet financial targets
* Partner closely with Information Technology and Operational Technology teams
* Ensure compliance with Health, Safety and Environment standards and Good Manufacturing Practices
Essential Requirements
* More than eight years of experience leading complex business or digital transformation initiatives in manufacturing
* Experience delivering Manufacturing Execution System or enterprise resource planning implementations
* Strong background in manufacturing operations, including quality assurance and warehouse processes
* Proven people leadership experience leading cross-functional teams
* Project management expertise including scope, budget, risk, and stakeholder management
* Strong communication skills with the ability to influence across business and technology teams
Desirable Requirements
* Fluency in English; Dutch is preferred but not required
* Experience with data migration and data cleansing in system transformation projects
Skills Desired
Assembly Language, Biotechnology, Business Networking, Change Control, Chemistry, Continual Improvement Process, Cost Reduction, General Hse Knowledge, Incentive Program, Knowledge Of Gmp, Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Learning And Development, Manufacturing Process, Manufacturing Production, Operations, Productivity, Risk Management, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Six Sigma, Technology Transfer