Head of Innovation & Automation Engineering Location: Mumbai, India Travel: Global, frequent especially in the first year Reporting to: Senior Executive Leadership The Opportunity We are partnering with a large, global manufacturing organisation to appoint a Head of Innovation & Automation Engineering , a newly created, highly strategic role with genuine board-level backing. This position has been created to transform how manufacturing is done , not to optimise around the edges. The organisation is investing in the future and is committed to advanced automation, digital manufacturing, and innovative operating models to drive long-term competitiveness, efficiency, and growth. For the right individual, this is a rare opportunity to build something from the ground up , shape strategy, and leave a lasting legacy across a global manufacturing network. The Role As Head of Innovation & Automation Engineering, you will define and deliver the automation and innovation roadmap across multiple manufacturing sites globally. You will operate at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, quality, and digital , translating vision into practical, compliant, and commercially viable solutions. This role combines strategy and execution , and requires someone who can think big, but also understands how things actually work on the shop floor. Key responsibilities include: Defining and executing a multi-year automation and innovation strategy aligned to business growth Driving digital transformation and Industry 4.0 initiatives across manufacturing operations Leading the evaluation and implementation of advanced automation technologies, data-driven manufacturing, and smart factory concepts Supporting the evolution from traditional batch manufacturing towards more advanced and efficient operating models Ensuring all initiatives are GMP compliant, validated, and deliver measurable business impact Building and leading a high-performing automation and innovation function, initially with limited structure Working closely with senior stakeholders across operations, quality, engineering, and IT The Challenge This is not a maintenance role. You will be: Operating in complex, regulated manufacturing environments Challenging established ways of working and driving change at scale Making innovation feasible within existing plants, regulatory constraints, and financial realities Influencing senior leaders and site teams across regions Balancing speed, compliance, and commercial outcomes Success in the first 12 months will be defined by clarity of vision, credibility with stakeholders, and a clear, actionable roadmap for the future. The Ideal Profile You are a technically strong engineering leader with deep manufacturing experience and a track record of driving automation and transformation. You will likely bring: Strong experience in GMP-regulated manufacturing environments Deep exposure to automation, digitalisation, and industrial control systems Experience delivering large-scale automation or transformation initiatives Understanding of validation, regulatory requirements, and change control The ability to link innovation to efficiency, throughput, and P&L impact A mindset that is open, curious, pragmatic, and not constrained by legacy thinking Backgrounds from pharmaceuticals or adjacent highly regulated manufacturing sectors will be considered. Why This Role A newly created role with real mandate and senior leadership support Opportunity to shape the future of global manufacturing operations High visibility, strategic impact, and long-term career progression A platform to build, lead, and scale a global capability If you are motivated by transformation, complexity, and building what doesn’t yet exist, this role offers a genuinely career-defining opportunity.
General Manager – Manufacturing Centre of Excellence (Aseptic & Sterile) Location: Nagpur, India Stanley Cowton International has been retained by a global pharmaceutical manufacturer to appoint a senior leader to build and lead a Manufacturing Centre of Excellence focused on aseptic and sterile operations. This is a newly created, high-impact role for a recognised sterile expert who wants to shape strategy, influence multiple facilities, and raise standards to best-in-class across complex injectable manufacturing. The Opportunity This position sits above day-to-day production and carries a clear mandate to define, implement, and sustain world-class aseptic practices. You will act as the sterile authority for the organisation, partnering closely with site leadership, quality, microbiology, and engineering teams. The business is well invested in modern sterile technology, including advanced filling lines, isolators, and automation. The focus now is on deepening sterile expertise, strengthening sterility assurance, and embedding a consistent aseptic culture across sites. The role offers strong visibility, autonomy, and long-term scope as the organisation expands further into complex injectables and, over time, biotech manufacturing. Key Responsibilities Establish and lead a Manufacturing CoE for aseptic and sterile operations Own and drive sterility assurance strategy, including CCS, EM programmes, media fills, and contamination control Lead EU GMP Annex 1 implementation and ensure inspection readiness for global regulators Act as subject matter expert during regulatory inspections and internal audits Standardise aseptic practices across lines, shifts, and sites Lead sterile investigations, root cause analysis, and CAPA effectiveness Build, coach, and develop sterile capability through structured training and knowledge transfer Influence senior stakeholders in a multi-site, matrix environment Requirements Extensive experience in sterile and aseptic pharmaceutical manufacturing, ideally within injectables Deep, practical expertise in EU GMP Annex 1 with exposure to US FDA inspections Proven ownership of sterility assurance and contamination control programmes Background in microbiology, quality, engineering, or sterile operations Experience operating across multiple sites or within a Centre of Excellence model Strong change leadership, communication, and influencing skills Willingness to be based in Nagpur and travel regularly between manufacturing sites Why Consider This Role Rare opportunity to build a sterile Centre of Excellence from the ground up Strategic, retained search with direct access to senior leadership Strong technology platform with ambition to reach best-in-class sterile standards Clear long-term career progression as the organisation expands in complexity and scale All applications and discussions will be handled in strict confidence.