Case Study: Driving Global Quality Transformation in a Leading Pharma Organisation
Role: Global VP of Quality
Industry: Life Sciences
Location: Europe
Discovery
Our client, a leading global pharmaceutical company with approximately 20,000 employees and annual revenues of $20 billion, required a Global Vice President of Quality to lead a team of 2,000 professionals worldwide. The client was undergoing significant organisational transformation and required an experienced leader with extensive technical expertise in quality systems and regulatory compliance as well as the ability to drive change and transformation at a global scale.
The complexity of the role demanded a uniquely skilled leader possessing both deep global QA expertise and a track record of leading large-scale transformation in complex pharmaceutical environments. This resulted in an extremely limited talent pool.
Reach
We conducted an extensive global executive search, mapping senior quality leaders within leading multinational pharmaceutical organisations. Our targeted outreach focused on individuals with a proven record of driving quality excellence across global operations, leading and scaling large teams and delivering change in highly regulated environments.
Assessment
Shortlisted candidates were evaluated not only for their technical and regulatory expertise but also for their leadership style, change management capability, and cultural alignment—including their ability to embed a culture of quality excellence across global operations. Close collaboration with the client’s executive team ensured clarity on strategic priorities and leadership expectations throughout the assessment process.
Impact
A highly qualified Global VP of Quality was appointed, bringing significant experience in leading complex, multinational quality functions and transformation initiatives. Since joining, the new leader has enhanced global quality leadership, strengthened the organisation’s readiness for change, and driven improvements across quality operations worldwide.
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CONTACT US
Wherever they are in the world, we'll find them
Reach out to Shane Browne, Managing Director - International Operations (shane.browne@hrmrecruit.com).
Case Study: Scaling Technical Operations in a High-Growth Pharma Organisation
Role: Global Head of Technical Operations
Industry: Life Sciences
Location: Europe
Discovery
A rapidly expanding pharmaceutical company of approximately 1,000 employees faced a critical challenge - integrating newly acquired products while scaling technical operations and improving performance with external manufacturing partners during this period of rapid expansion. The role required a rare combination of skills:
Technical expertise in biologics
Experience scaling international operations
Hands-on operational capability
The ability to integrate acquisitions all while aligning with the company’s collaborative, high-performance culture.
Reach
We conducted a targeted global executive search, focusing on senior leaders with proven experience scaling technical operations in high-growth pharmaceutical businesses. Our research and engagement strategy prioritised individuals who could operate strategically, while remaining closely involved in execution. Close collaboration with the executive team ensured cultural alignment, strategic vision, and leadership approach were central to the process.
Assessment
Candidates were rigorously evaluated on their track record in operational leadership, international growth, and change management. This included their ability to build global technical frameworks, enhance supplier performance, and integrate complex product portfolios. The shortlisted leaders demonstrated both strategic capability and hands-on execution expertise, ensuring an excellent fit for the organisation’s current and future needs.
Impact
Through our partnership, the organisation appointed a globally experienced leader who has strengthened oversight of external manufacturing partners, built scalable international structures and driven seamless integration of acquired products. Their leadership has transformed the company’s technical operations and positioned it for sustained growth and success in a highly competitive global market.
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CONTACT US
Wherever they are in the world, we'll find them
Reach out to Shane Browne, Managing Director - International Operations(shane.browne@hrmrecruit.com).
Case Study: Driving Operational Leadership for a $3 Billion U.S. Biotech Expansion
Role: Senior Operations Director
Industry: Biopharmaceuticals
Location: U.S.
Discovery
Our client, a global biopharmaceutical leader, was investing $3B in a state-of-the-art monoclonal antibody (mAb) manufacturing facility. They required a Senior Operations Director to lead start-up, commissioning, and full-scale manufacturing phases. The role demanded extensive biologics and aseptic manufacturing expertise, strong leadership and the ability to thrive in a complex, greenfield environment — building teams, systems and operational excellence from the ground up. This resulted in a limited but highly targeted talent pool.
Reach
Our Talent Intelligence team conducted in-depth market mapping of comparable greenfield and scale-up manufacturing operations, identifying leaders across the U.S. and U.S. expats with proven experience leading large-molecule manufacturing facilities. Throughout the executive search process, candidate engagement prioritised technical capability, operational scale experience and alignment to the organisation’s collaborative and high-performance culture.
Assessment
We worked closely with U.S. and global HR leadership teams to align expectations and ensure cultural and strategic fit, assessing candidates against expertise in biologics and aseptic operations, proven scale-up and site-build leadership, strong people and culture leadership, and the ability to deliver operational excellence in a complex, regulated environment.
Impact
A Senior Operations Director with 20+ years’ biologics leadership experience was appointed. The individual brought technical depth, strategic capability and greenfield leadership experience required to ensure the success and long-term performance of this flagship manufacturing investment.
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CONTACT US
Wherever they are in the world, we'll find them
Reach out to Shane Browne, Managing Director - International Operations(shane.browne@hrmrecruit.com).
Senior Director, Test Method Systems & Molding
Industry: Devices & Biologics, Med Devices
Location: USA
The Challenge
Our client had struggled to find the right talent for the Senior Director position in the USA through their own recruitment efforts. Despite an extended search, they were unable to attract the technical leadership required for such a niche role. The organisation turned to HRM Search Partners, leveraging our proven track record in delivering specialist leadership talent.
Our Approach
We initiated a nationwide search, focusing on a comprehensive, unbiased approach to talent identification. Our strategy went beyond geographical and compensation constraints, ensuring no potential candidate was overlooked. We mapped the entire market to find a candidate with the right technical skillset, despite the challenges of a highly specialised field.
The Outcome
Within five weeks, we delivered a full shortlist of top-tier candidates, with the successful candidate selected shortly after. The process, which had initially been slow, was expedited, leading to a successful hire within two months.
Divisional Vice President of Quality
Industry: Devices
Location: Ireland
The Challenge
Our client sought to hire a Divisional Vice President of Quality to oversee quality across nearly 15 manufacturing plants worldwide. The challenge was identifying a candidate with the requisite operational responsibility at a similar scope, particularly within the medical devices industry. We were tasked with finding a professional at the Vice President level who could manage such a large, complex function.
Our Approach
We targeted senior professionals with the operational experience required for this role, focusing on large multinational organisations. We mapped candidates both in Ireland and internationally, including EU-based professionals, and thoroughly assessed their mobility and suitability for the role.
The Outcome
We successfully identified a seasoned Quality professional with the necessary operational leadership and people management skills. This candidate was well-equipped to thrive in the role, providing a strong leadership presence across the client’s global operations.
EMEA Sales Director
Industry: Manufacturing
Location: EMEA, based in Germany
The Challenge
This was a pivotal hire following a number of strategic acquisitions as the business scaled across the EMEA region. The organisation needed a highly strategic and operational senior director to align commercial structures across a fragmented group of subsidiaries. The aim was to accelerate organic growth while unifying regional efforts. Key challenges included the geographical spread of the organisation and the need to secure a high-calibre executive with deep industry expertise and the agility to thrive in a fast-paced, profit-oriented environment.
Our Approach
We conducted deep research into key markets and competitor organisations to uncover sector-specific leadership talent. Engaging with this executive-level audience required a bespoke approach to ensure messaging was impactful and interest was piqued. Once a pool of relevant candidates was identified, we used tailored competency questions and psychometric evaluation to assess cultural alignment – a critical success factor for this appointment.
The Outcome
We secured a highly effective leader from a major competitor in the region, bringing with them both deep market insight and a proven ability to drive growth at scale.
Senior Director: Finance & Operations
Industry: Pharmaceutical
Germany
The Challenge
We were retained to appoint the senior leadership team for a multi-billion Euro greenfield site in Germany. A key appointment was the Senior Director, Finance & Operations, due to the complexity of managing financial and operational planning during the build phase. The ideal candidate needed strong pharma experience, large-scale manufacturing exposure, and had to support diversity goals.
Our Approach
We worked closely with both site and global leadership to define must-have criteria. Mapping key donor organisations helped us narrow the search, and our approach to candidates was carefully aligned with the client's employer brand and communication preferences.
The Outcome
We delivered a high-calibre shortlist, with three finalists progressing to final stage. The chosen candidate was hired and onboarded within a tight timeline, critical due to construction-related cost pressures. Their early start played a vital role in the successful rollout of the site.
Head of Corporate Development
Industry: Property Development
Location: Ireland
The Challenge
This succession hire came at a crucial juncture as the organisation was shaping its five-year growth strategy. Success depended on identifying an executive with rare and in-demand expertise, who could influence long-term business outcomes while also aligning with the firm’s culture and values.
Our Approach
We leveraged our executive network to source talent via referrals and recommendations. Given the passive nature of the talent pool, we adopted a highly bespoke approach, developing a detailed candidate engagement framework. Each interaction was supported by customised briefing materials that clearly articulated the long-term strategic value of the role.
The Outcome
Within six weeks, we delivered a strong shortlist, all of whom proceeded to interview. The appointed executive aligned perfectly with the client’s vision and was secured within budget and on time.
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