Managing Director (m/f/d) – Drug Substance CDMO

Our People Vision: We strive for excellence. We share our passion. Together, we make a difference in patients’ lives.

Managing Director (m/f/d) – Drug Substance CDMO

• as soon as possible

We are looking for a Managing Director to lead our Drug Substance site in Chenôve, France. In this role, you will have full responsibility for the site (approx. 220 employees) including P&L ownership, operational excellence, and long-term strategic development. You will play a key role within the global business unit network, driving business growth, customer satisfaction, and operational performance in a highly dynamic CDMO environment.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Define and execute the site strategy in alignment with the global business unit
• Drive business growth by supporting commercial activities and expanding the customer portfolio
• Ensure long-term competitiveness through continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives
• Lead and develop the organization, fostering a strong performance and collaboration culture
• Own and steer the site master plan and investment strategy (CAPEX)
• Build strong relationships with key customers and represent the site in strategic meetings and business reviews

Operational Responsibilities

• Full accountability for site performance, including revenue, EBITDA, and financial results
• Ensure reliable and compliant manufacturing operations (on-time, in-full, right-first-time delivery)
• Guarantee compliance with GMP, regulatory, quality and HSE requirements
• Oversee day-to-day site operations and production planning
• Drive high customer satisfaction in close collaboration with PMO and operational teams
• Ensure adherence to CordenPharma’s Code of Conduct and ethical standards

Education

• PhD (or equivalent) in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field
• MBA or additional business qualification is a plus

Experience & Background

• Extensive leadership experience in the Drug Substance CDMO environment
• Proven track record in managing large-scale cGMP pharmaceutical manufacturing sites
• Strong P&L responsibility experience
• Experience operating within complex, matrix organizations
• Commercial mindset with strong customer orientation

Languages

• Fluent in French and English; additional languages are an advantage
• Strong business acumen and results orientation
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Strategic mindset combined with a hands-on, execution-driven approach
• High level of integrity, ownership, and resilience in fast-paced environments

Our Interview Journey

We’re excited that you’re considering joining us! Once you submit your application, you’ll receive a confirmation of receipt, and our team will carefully review your profile.

If there’s a strong match, we’ll invite you to get to know us better through the following steps:

• An initial conversation with our local HR team and the current Managing Director, giving you the opportunity to learn more about the role and our site
• A follow-up meeting with our Global HR team to explore your experience and career aspirations in more detail
• A final interview with our CEO, offering you a broader perspective on our organisation and future direction
• As a final step, you will complete an assessment as part of the overall evaluation process

Throughout the entire journey, we aim to create an open, transparent, and engaging experience—giving you plenty of opportunities to ask questions and get a real feel for our culture and ambitions.