Deviation Investigation Team Manager

Job Title: Deviation Investigation Team Manager

Location: Slough

The role:

We are currently seeking an experienced Deviation Investigation Team Manager to join our Centre of Excellence for biopharmaceutical process development and small-scale GMP manufacturing in Slough, UK. In this leadership role, you will be responsible for managing and developing the Deviation Investigation Team, providing oversight of complex manufacturing and technical-service deviation investigations to ensure they are completed to the highest quality, compliance, and scientific standards. Leading a team of Technical Investigators, you will drive the timely execution and closure of deviation reports, including root cause analysis, product impact assessments, and the implementation of effective CAPAs. Working closely with cross-functional stakeholders, you will ensure effective risk management, stakeholder alignment, customer communication, and continuous improvement of investigation processes, supporting timely batch disposition and the delivery of products to customers and patients.

This is a fully site-based role. Working together in person supports close, real-time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.

What you will get:

• An agile career and dynamic working culture
• An inclusive and ethical workplace
• Compensation programs that recognize high performance
• A variety of benefits dependant on role and location
• The full list of our global benefits can be also found on https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits

What you will do:

• Lead and develop the Deviation Investigation Team, ensuring Technical Investigators are trained, coached, and competent in investigation methodologies, root cause analysis, technical writing, and GMP compliance.
• Oversee and drive the timely closure of manufacturing and technical-service deviations, ensuring investigations are completed to the required quality, scientific, and compliance standards while supporting batch disposition timelines.
• Apply a risk-based approach to quality events, proactively identifying, managing, reporting, and escalating risks and issues that could impact product quality, compliance, or customer delivery.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders, including Manufacturing, MSAT, QA, QC, QP, and Project Management, to ensure effective collaboration, accountability, and resolution of deviation investigations.
• Lead customer communications relating to deviation events, providing clear updates, facilitating investigation meetings, and ensuring customer expectations are effectively managed.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and deviation-related projects, enhancing investigation quality, right-first-time performance, compliance, and on-time closure metrics.
• Monitor, analyse, and report investigation performance metrics, providing oversight of team effectiveness, supporting strategic decision-making, and ensuring inspection and audit readiness.

What we are looking for:

• A BSc in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline, or equivalent experience, providing a strong foundation in biopharmaceutical development or manufacturing.
• Experience within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or GMP manufacturing industry, with a strong understanding of quality systems, compliance requirements, and operational challenges.
• Proven expertise in deviation investigations, root cause analysis (RCA), and risk management tools such as FMEA, with the ability to identify effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, capable of building strong relationships and influencing internal teams, customers, auditors, and senior business stakeholders.
• Strong technical writing capability, with experience authoring and reviewing deviations, investigations, technical reports, and other GMP quality documentation.
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections and customer audits, confidently presenting investigation outcomes and acting as a subject matter expert for quality and compliance activities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead improvement initiatives and solve complex problems, using data-driven decision making to enhance investigation quality, compliance, and operational performance.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.