Senior Project Lead – Qualification, Handover & Operational Readiness

Our client, a leading life sciences organization, is seeking a senior leader to oversee the final phase of a major manufacturing project. This role ensures a compliant transition from capital project delivery to operational readiness through structured qualification and documentation closure.

• Lead the integrated project team through qualification, verification, and documentation closure to enable a controlled transition to operations.
• Translate project priorities into execution roadmaps with clear governance routines and escalation paths.
• Drive completion of qualification activities across systems, equipment, and utilities in alignment with start-up needs.
• Coordinate audit readiness plans to ensure project documentation and evidence packages are defensible and available for health authority inspections.
• Manage snag-list finalization and operational handover, ensuring all packages are accepted by the receiving organization.
• Provide hypercare support during the initial months of production to resolve complex cross-functional start-up issues.

• You have a Master's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, or a related technical field.
• You bring 8+ years of experience in pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing with a focus on large-scale CAPEX project delivery.
• You possess expert knowledge in final-phase project execution including qualification, verification, and operational handover.
• You have a strong background in GMP start-up processes and inspection readiness within regulated environments.
• You're an experienced leader capable of making pragmatic, compliant decisions while managing complex cross-functional stakeholders.
• You are fluent in English.

Nice to Haves

• Experience in biotech, biologics, or advanced therapy manufacturing.
• Exposure to European health authority inspection preparation.
• Willingness to obtain or possess certification in Project Management or C&Q.

• Geniet van een competitief salarispakket met extra voordelen die je talent erkennen.
• Versnel je carrière met een helder groeipad, coaching en mentoring ter ondersteuning.
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• Werk waar en wanneer je het beste presteert voor een ideale werk-privébalans.
• Kies een flexibele mobiliteitsoplossing, van een bedrijfswagen tot een openbaar vervoer abonnement.
• Bouw je netwerk uit en beleef onvergetelijke momenten tijdens exclusieve events en afterworks.
• Breid je vaardigheden uit met externe opleidingen en onze in-house Pauwels Academy.
• Werk aan uitdagende projecten met toonaangevende klanten in Life Sciences, Engineering & Digital.
• Grijp kansen op elk niveau, van een sterke start tot doorgroeimogelijkheden en samenwerking met experts.