Innovation Director

We're seeking a high-impact Innovation Director to lead the establishment and operation of a new Chemicals and Materials R&D Unit in Manchester. This is a contract leadership role with serious scope — building a complex, multi-client facility from the ground up, and driving fast-moving consulting and production projects across the pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing space.

You’ll be working in a dynamic environment with a strong emphasis on technical delivery, cross-functional collaboration, and operational scale-up. If you thrive in start-up-style settings, know your way around a cleanroom and a boardroom, and can manage both clients and engineers — this is for you.

What You'll Own:
Facility & R&D Operations Setup
Spearhead the establishment of a cutting-edge R&D site focused on outsourced development and production.
Design and implement operational workflows for a shared, multi-client facility handling diverse projects.
Collaborate with engineering, compliance, and process teams to get production lines running safely and efficiently.
Oversee tech transfer, validation, and commissioning of new equipment and systems.
Ensure GMP and regulatory compliance is embedded into all systems and processes.

Strategic Innovation & Project Leadership:
Define and deliver tailored solutions for pharmaceutical and chemical sector clients — from R&D logistics to site overhauls.
Lead large-scale projects across process development, system integration, and facility enhancement.
Manage timelines, budgets, and resources while juggling multiple clients and shifting scopes.
Act as a senior consultant for both internal and external teams — bringing ideas to life with technical rigor.

Process Engineering & Tech Strategy:
Drive continuous improvement across production and development workflows.
Introduce and integrate new systems (digital and physical) to enhance throughput, quality, and reliability.
Partner with IT, quality, and data teams to align infrastructure with operational goals.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of materials science, pharma engineering, and advanced manufacturing trends.

Who You Are:
A senior leader with deep experience in R&D operations, production facility setup, or technical consulting in pharma/chemicals.
A hands-on problem-solver who thrives in busy, high-pressure, startup-like environments.
Confident managing multiple stakeholders — internal teams, client accounts, contractors, and vendors.
Strategic thinker, capable of defining new service offerings while ensuring execution on the ground