Head of Lab Equipment & Systems
GSK
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Business Introduction
We manufacture and supply reliable, high-quality medicines and vaccines to meet patients’ needs and drive our performance.
Our network of 37 medicines and vaccines manufacturing sites delivered 1.7 billion packs of medicines and 409 million vaccine doses in 2024 to help make a positive impact on the health of millions of people.
Our supply chain is not just core to our operations; it’s vital to bringing our innovations to patients as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible. Technology is transforming how we manufacture medicines and vaccines, enabling us to increase the speed, quality and scale of product supply. We need the very best minds and capability to help us on our journey to make more complex products, harnessing the power of smart manufacturing technologies including robotics, digital solutions and artificial intelligence to deliver for patients.
Job purpose
You will lead the Lab Equipment & Systems function in Belgium, driving reliable and future-ready laboratory operations. You will work closely with QC, R&D, Technical Services and Engineering to manage equipment lifecycle, lab systems and capital projects.
We value clear decision makers who coach teams, collaborate across disciplines, and balance compliance with practical delivery.
This role offers visible impact, strong career growth and the chance to shape how labs support science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.
Your responsibilities
This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. These responsibilities include some of the following:
Own the lifecycle of laboratory equipment and systems for QC and R&D, from acquisition to decommissioning.
Lead delivery of medium and small capital projects and upgrades, ensuring timelines, budget and quality are met.
Partner with Technical Services, Engineering, EHS and Quality to manage equipment qualification, validation and inspection readiness.
Manage vendor relationships, service contracts and spare parts strategies to reduce downtime and cost.
Oversee lab information systems and digital tools used in laboratory operations, supporting implementation and data integrity.
Build and coach a multidisciplinary team and external service partners to deliver high quality, safe and efficient lab support.
You will work in a collaborative, matrixed environment. Key day-to-day duties include:
Define short- and long-term equipment and systems roadmaps aligned with business needs.
Prioritize and prepare business cases for Capex, addressing obsolescence, capacity and compliance risks.
Ensure equipment qualification, preventative maintenance and performance metrics are in place.
Drive continuous improvement of lab workflows, asset utilization and cost efficiency.
Support investigations and root cause analysis for equipment or system failures.
Represent lab equipment and systems in governance forums and regulatory interactions.
Additional information
Reporting line: VP QC Belgium Operations
Level of the role: Director
People management (direct / indirect reports, etc.): 9 DR. Around 70 IR
Business travel requirements: limited
Primary location: Wavre
Secondary location: no
Relocation support provided: no
Regular presence onsite: required
Application closing date: Friday April 24th 2026 EOD CET
Basic Qualification
We are seeking professionals with the following required skills and qualifications to help us achieve our goals:
Bachelor degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related technical discipline
Minimum 8 years’ experience managing laboratory equipment, facilities or engineering projects in a highly regulated environment
Proven experience with equipment qualification, validation or commissioning activities
Strong track record in project delivery, budget management and vendor oversight
Familiarity with laboratory systems and data integrity principles for digital tools
Fluency in English and French – both written and spoken
Preferred Qualification
If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:
Master’s degree in Engineering, Biotechnology or similar technical field
Experience in pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical or vaccine environments
Knowledge of GxP compliance, quality systems and inspection readiness
Experience delivering Capital Projects and business cases in complex organisations
Familiarity with computerized lab systems (LIMS, LES) and digital transformation projects
Demonstrated people leadership experience with external service providers
How to apply
If this role speaks to you and you want to make an impact supporting lifesaving science, we would love to hear from you.
Please submit your CV and a short note about why this role fits your experience and ambitions. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to inclusion in our hiring.
We look forward to hearing from you !
#LI-GSK
If you have a disability and require assistance during the course of the selection process, you will have the opportunity to let us know what specific assistance you require in order to make suitable arrangements.
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.
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