​Role: Site Leadership Team (SLT)

Industry: Pharma & Biotech

Location: Europe

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Discovery

Our client, a global top-ten Pharma and Biotech organisation, initiated a USD $1 billion+ investment to develop a greenfield Biologics Drug Product and Device Assembly facility in South West Germany. The site represented a major expansion of the organisation’s European manufacturing footprint and was critical to its long-term global supply strategy. With limited internal mobility options, the client required external senior leadership talent with biologics Drug Product expertise and experience guiding new facilities from construction to commercial readiness. The regional talent market intensified this challenge due to strong competition for experienced life sciences professionals.

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Reach

HRM partnered with senior HR and project leadership to define the site’s leadership framework and map the global talent landscape. Our search covered major Biologics, Drug Product, Fill-Finish and Device Assembly hubs across Europe, the United States and Asia, ensuring access to relevant senior talent. We targeted leaders with proven experience scaling biologics Drug Product operations or supporting greenfield manufacturing environments. By positioning the role as a rare opportunity to shape a world-class facility within a leading global organisation, we generated strong international engagement from suitably qualified candidates.

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Assessment

Candidates were evaluated for technical depth in Drug Product and Device Assembly operations, leadership capability, and experience navigating greenfield or large-scale expansion programmes. We prioritised individuals able to build teams, systems and processes within a newly constructed facility, and who demonstrated adaptability to operate effectively in a fast-evolving environment while integrating into a global organisation.

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Impact

HRM delivered several strategic leadership appointments across Operations, Engineering and Supply Chain, forming the core leadership capability required for early site development. These hires introduced global biologics expertise into the organisation’s European network and enabled a smooth transition from design through commissioning and into operational readiness. The project demonstrates how targeted executive search accelerates leadership readiness and reduces execution risk in capital-intensive Biopharma expansions.

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​Get In Touch

To discuss how we can support your Executive Search and Contract & Interim requirements contact:

Ciarán McCaughey – Managing Director – Executive Search | ciaran.mccaughey@hrmrecruit.com | +353 83 1420673

Shane Browne – Managing Director – International Operations | shane.browne@hrmrecruit.com | +353 1 6321865

Arlene Moran – Managing Director – Contract & Interim | arlene.moran@hrmrecruit.com | +353 86 3656648