Cleaning Validation & Operations Squad Lead
Location: Geel, Belgium
Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
On-site presence: Minimum 80% required
Contract: 24 months
About the Role
Our client, a leading global pharmaceutical manufacturer, is seeking an experienced Cleaning Validation & Cleaning Operations Squad Lead to drive the strategic uplift of cleaning standards and risk‐based methodologies across a major API manufacturing site.
In this high‐impact role, you will partner with local process owners to modernize all cleaning validation and operations activities in line with the latest industry best practices. This is an opportunity to shape site‐wide quality and compliance standards while mentoring internal teams and leading significant change initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Technical & Strategic Leadership
* Define, implement, and champion best practices in equipment cleaning and cleaning validation.
* Lead the adoption of science‐based, risk‐management approaches to cleaning validation.
Project & Resource Management
* Oversee multiple concurrent cleaning‐related projects and contractor resources.
* Apply robust project management planning, controls, and reporting to ensure delivery against milestones.
Quality, Compliance & Documentation
* Ensure all deliverables meet internal quality standards and comply with FDA and EMA regulatory requirements.
* Collaborate closely with Quality Assurance stakeholders to maintain full alignment on compliance expectations.
Change Management & Stakeholder Engagement
* Drive the organizational change required to embed improved cleaning practices sustainably.
* Influence stakeholders at multiple levels across a dynamic and complex environment.
Coaching & Capability Building
* Mentor and coach local process owners, enhancing their technical and compliance expertise to industry-leading levels.
Candidate Profile
Required Technical Background
* Extensive experience in equipment cleaning and cleaning validation within pharmaceutical manufacturing.
* Experience within API manufacturing strongly preferred.
* Strong understanding of FDA and EMA expectations for cleaning validation, including hands‐on experience with risk‐based validation and documentation.
Leadership & Behavioural Skills
* Excellent project management, planning, and prioritization abilities.
* Skilled at leading teams in fast‐moving environments.
* Strong communication, interpersonal, coaching, and training capabilities.
* Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and influence without formal authority.
Languages
* English: Required
* Dutch: Preferred