CVIM GMP Facility Manager

About The Pirbright Institute  

The Pirbright Institute delivers world-leading research to understand, predict, detect and respond to viral disease outbreaks. We study viruses of livestock that are endemic and exotic to the UK, including zoonotic viruses, by using the most advanced tools and technologies to understand host-pathogen interactions in animals and arthropod vectors. Our major strength in understanding the immune systems of livestock provides a platform to control current diseases and respond to emerging threats. This important research would not be possible without the proportionate use of animals, which are integral to the development of new disease control measures such as vaccines and diagnostics. We have an establishment-wide commitment to the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement), high standards of animal welfare, a culture of care and openness.

Our Institute is made up of a dynamic and vibrant community of staff covering a diverse set of chosen fields, backgrounds and experience. We all play a crucial role in furthering the Institute’s aspirations, advancing the frontiers of science and knowledge through our excellent scientific research, knowledge sharing and contribution; with a real focus in improving the world in which we live. Our outlook is always balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a ‘one Institute’ approach.

About the role 

The CVIM GMP Facility Manager provides operational management to the CVIM GMP Facility, delivering cohesive and coordinated facility operating services.

The role acts as the key interface between science, manufacturing and operational support to ensure effective planning and delivery of Facility activities, shutdowns, maintenance and equipment servicing, minimising disruption to manufacturing and impact on the integrity of the GMP status for the Facility.

This is a leadership role with responsibility to build and establish the CVIM Facility Team encompassing of cleaning, disinfection, environmental control, inventory, and material management. The postholder and their team will be responsible for the maintenance of cleanroom protocols, facility validation programmes, inventory, material and equipment lifecycle management.

Key Responsibilities

Facility GMP Compliance

• Working with relevant stakeholders, ensure, maintain and demonstrate the GMP Facility inspection readiness status by:
• Developing and maintaining the cleaning and fumigation strategies and plans.
• Developing and maintaining the environmental control strategy and plan.
• Developing and coordinating a maintenance plan for the Facility.
• Prepare and deliver the Facility training programme for users and operational support functions.

Facility Operational Management

• Proactively engage with all facility users to identify changes and future work needs.  
• Identify future equipment requirements, contributing to specifications. 
• Develop and coordinate programmes of maintenance, calibration and servicing to ensure suitable co-ordination of all maintenance activities, working with the Engineering and Science Equipment Helpdesk and EMS Engineering.
• Ensure effective management of assets through lifecycle ensuring documentation records, contracts and certificates are maintained through the designated documentation system. 
• Responsible for budgetary forecasting for, and control of Facility activities.
• Ensure the management of Facility related inventory. Prepare and maintain an inventory management plan.
• Ensure the Facility Team and operational support functions apply effective management of change processes for the Facility.
• Act as liaison for maintenance activities with internal and external parties.

Safety & Assurance

• Proactively promote and support health, safety, biosafety and environmental compliance in laboratory spaces and ensure adoption of best practice in facility management.
• Maintain working knowledge of relevant health, safety, biosafety, environmental and QA standards and requirements as relevant to CVIM.
• Act as host and facilitator for audits and inspections for Facility management, whether internal or external, coordinate responses to audit and inspection findings, and support investigations of incidents to ensure timely resolution and prevention of recurrence.

Facility Management Leadership & Line Management

• Lead the CVIM Facility Team for the GMP Facility.
• Act as the lead for decision-making and liaison between facility users and operational functions (EMS, HSBS and QA) to reduce issues arising in the running of both facilities.
• Provide leadership, coaching and performance management to the Facility Group, including objective setting and professional development.
• Coordinate staffing schedules to ensure operational resilience.
• Support recruitment, induction and training of new Facility users.
• Foster a positive, collaborative and safety-focused working environment.

Role Requirements 

Essential

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in biosciences or a related discipline. 
• Significant experience working within GMP facilities- ISO7 (GMP Grade C) and ISO8 (GMP Grade D). 
• Substantial management experience, including oversight or coordination of multidisciplinary teams. 
• Proven line management experience, including performance management, development and leadership of technical teams or managers. 
• Strong working knowledge of relevant health, safety, biosafety, environmental and quality standards applicable to GMP operations. 
• Experience of planning and coordinating maintenance, servicing and other operational activities to minimise disruption to manufacturing. 
• Experience of supporting audits, inspections and regulatory compliance activity, and responding to findings appropriately. 
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively with scientific, operational and assurance functions at all levels. 
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a complex and high-risk environment. 
• Proficient IT skills, including experience using laboratory, asset or service management systems. 

Desirable

• Experience working within a CL2 high-containment laboratory environment.
• Experience contributing to laboratory infrastructure planning or space optimisation. 
• Experience managing laboratory asset databases or service management systems (e.g. TOPdesk or equivalent).