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The Technology Operational Readiness Lead is accountable for ensuring that the extensive portfolio of digital, automation, IT, and operational technology systems delivered by project teams are production-ready, supportable, compliant, and value-realising at go-live and throughout the operational lifecycle.
This role bridges the gap between project delivery and steady-state operations, ensuring that technology investments made to enable a state-of-the-art drug product manufacturing facility translate into sustained business outcomes, operational excellence, and long-term maintainability.
The role acts as the single point of accountability for technology readiness, coordinating across Engineering, Automation, IT, Quality, Manufacturing, Digital, Cybersecurity, and external partners.
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- Technology Operational Readiness Strategy
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Define and own the Technology Operational Readiness (TOR) strategy for a major manufacturing transformation programme.
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Establish clear readiness criteria across people, process, technology, data, security, compliance, and support.
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Ensure readiness is embedded into project plans from design through PPQ and handover, not treated as a late-stage activity.
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Deployment Readiness & Go-Live Assurance
Lead readiness assessments for all major systems including (but not limited to):
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Automation & PCS/SCADA platforms
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MES, Historian, Data Platforms (EDL/CDL)
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Digital, AI, IIoT, analytics, and visualization tools
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Infrastructure, cybersecurity, access control, identity, and monitoring solutions
Ensure each system meets defined go-live exit criteria, including:
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Validated/qualified state
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Operational procedures and SOPs in place
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Support and escalation models established
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Monitoring, alerting, and backup strategies live
Act as the final readiness sign-off authority prior to operational handover.
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Operability, Support & Sustainment
Define and implement post-deployment operating models for all technologies:
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Support ownership (L1/L2/L3)
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Vendor vs internal responsibilities
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ServiceNow / ticketing integration
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Patch, upgrade, and lifecycle management
Ensure systems are maintainable by site teams, not dependent on project SMEs or vendors.
Drive alignment with global and site support organizations.
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Business Value Realisation
Ensure technology deployments are explicitly tied to business outcomes, such as:
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Throughput, OEE, quality, compliance, reliability
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Reduced manual effort and error
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Faster decision-making through data and analytics
Define KPIs and success measures to confirm value is realised post go-live.
Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and Digital teams to course-correct where value is not being achieved.
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Change, Adoption & Capability Enablement
Lead the human and organisational change aspects of technology introduction.
Ensure operators, engineers, quality, and support teams are:
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Properly trained
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Confident using new systems
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Clear on new ways of working
Ensure adoption is measured and actively managed, not assumed.
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Governance, Risk & Compliance
Identify and mitigate operational risks related to technology introduction.
Ensure alignment with:
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GMP and regulatory expectations
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Cybersecurity and data integrity standards
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Global IT/OT and digital architecture principles
Act as a key contributor to design reviews, risk assessments, and governance forums.
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Cross-Functional Leadership
Act as the integrating leader across:
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Project teams
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Site operations
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Global digital and IT functions
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Quality and validation
Influence without direct authority, driving alignment and decisions across complex stakeholder groups.
Key Interfaces
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Manufacturing & Operations Leadership
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Engineering & Automation
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IT / Digital / Data / Cybersecurity
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Quality & Validation
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Project & Program Management
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Global Technology & Digital Teams
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External System Integrators and Vendors
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Essential
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Senior experience (10+ years) in manufacturing technology, automation, digital, or IT/OT within regulated environments (pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device industries).
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Proven leadership in technology deployment at scale, from design through steady-state operations.
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Deep understanding of operational readiness, system handover, and lifecycle management.
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Strong working knowledge of GMP, validation, data integrity, and regulated operations.
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Experience operating across PCS/SCADA, MES, infrastructure, and enterprise digital platforms.
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Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
Desirable
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Experience in greenfield or major brownfield manufacturing programmes.
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Exposure to advanced digital manufacturing concepts (AI, analytics, IIoT, digital twins).
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Experience defining or operating site or global technology support models.
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Background in manufacturing operations, engineering, or technical leadership roles.
Leadership Profile
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Systems thinker with strong business orientation.
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Pragmatic, outcomes-focused, and comfortable with ambiguity.
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Able to challenge design and delivery decisions constructively.
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Trusted partner to both project teams and site operations.
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Comfortable operating at both strategic and hands-on levels.
