External API Expert (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient)

We are seeking an External API Expert to oversee externally manufactured Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API).  This role supports supplier selection, transfers, risk assessment, and continuous improvement to maintain a reliable supply chain of APIs.  You will collaborate with internal teams and third‑party manufacturers in this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as technical product owner for externally produced materials (guiding technical projects, setting priorities, and tracking progress to completion).

• Identify opportunities for process improvement with third‑party suppliers (working across functions to scope projects, assess benefits, and support delivery).

• Provide technical input during supplier selection and sourcing activities, assess supplier capability and risk, and support transfers to new suppliers.  Supply technical details needed for regulatory or registration documentation.

• Manage or support troubleshooting and root cause analysis at supplier sites (coordinate required expertise, track corrective actions, and ensure timely closure).

• Facilitate risk assessments and help suppliers develop mitigation plans. Review supplier validation exercises and ongoing performance monitoring to support consistent supply quality.

• Review supplier technical change requests, coordinate cross‑functional review and communication, and support any required regulatory evaluations.

• Contribute to development and maintenance of business processes that support third‑party supply, including handover and knowledge transfer practices. Help define and monitor supplier performance metrics.

• Follow environmental, health, and safety procedures applicable to the role. Ensure risk assessments and incident reports are completed and corrective actions closed. Model positive safety behaviour when visiting supplier sites.

• Build and maintain constructive relationships with internal and external partners across supply, development, procurement, quality, planning, and other relevant teams.

Skills and Attributes:

• Technical understanding and practical problem‑solving skills.

• Effective project management capabilities and experience coordinating remote or matrixed teams.

• Manage changing priorities and work productively in uncertain environments.

• Communication and stakeholder engagement skills, fostering collaboration and inclusion.

• Willingness and ability to travel as required to support supply priorities.

About You:

The successful applicant must have an in-depth practical knowledge / experience of API manufacturing and its associated processes.  Ideally you will have a chemical background (and associated qualifications).  As you will be working closely (and supporting) multidisciplinary teams to make balanced decisions (when information is limited) you will need to be a strong communicator (to encourage open dialogue and collaboration).  You will also need to be completely solution-orientated in your approach as you will need to maintain a focus on meeting customer needs, build confidence with partners and keep stakeholders informed.
 

Location:  Ideally you will be based at one of the following manufacturing sites:  Irvine (North Ayrshire, Scotland), Montrose (Angus, Scotland) or Worthing (West Sussex, UK) but we can also consider high-caliber applicants (with relevant primary-manufacturing experience) based at other GSK Global Supply Chain (GSC) manufacturing sites in the UK.

Travel:  The successful applicant may need to travel as part of the delivery of their role to any of the sites in the network.  We anticipate that travel will be a maximum of 10% of their time.

CLOSING DATE for applications:  Tuesday 5th of May 2026 (COB).

Basic Qualifications:

• Degree in chemistry or a related scientific/technical/engineering discipline.

• Relevant (practical) experience in API manufacturing (eg; previously worked in an API manufacturing facility).

• Experience managing transfers and introducing new products into supply.

• Familiarity with quality and regulatory expectations for manufacturing operations.

• Experience working in cross‑functional and virtual teams, with the ability to influence stakeholders at different levels.

If you would like to learn more about our company wide benefits and life at GSK we would suggest looking at our webpage Life at GSK | GSK.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases – to impact health at scale.

People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we’re committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us at UKRecruitment.Adjustments@gsk.com where you can also request a call.

Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments, we will not be able to support you through these channels. However, we have created a  Recruitment FAQ guide. Click the link where you will find answers to multiple questions we receive

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