Assistant Manager, Vaccines & Biologicals – Fill & Finish at The Kenya BioVax Institute

Job Purpose:      

The Assistant Manager, Vaccines and Biological – Fill and Finish shall be responsible for filling vials with the vaccine or other biologicals and finishing the process of packaging and labelling the product in preparation for distribution.  Shall also provide overall leadership, accountability and responsibility for production activities in the section including raw materials specifications to ensure consistent availability of the department’s full range of finished products at the right quantity, quality, cost and timely manner.

Requirements:

• A minimum period of eight (8) years in relevant work experience and three (3) years of which must have been in a supervisory position in the Public or Private Sector;
• Manufacturing and research science experience;
• Proven track record with leading safety and continuous improvement initiatives;
• Master’s degree in any of the following disciplines: Pharmaceutical Sciences, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Bio/chemical engineering or equivalent Life Sciences discipline from a recognized institution;
• Bachelor’s degree in the following disciplines of science: microbiology, biomedical engineering, biology, biometry, medicine, pharmacy, pharmacology, virology, immunology, biotechnology and veterinary medicine, Chemical Engineering or Chemistry with emphasis in relevant area (analytical, industrial, organic, physical, biochemistry, materials science);
• Membership to a relevant professional body; and
• Leadership course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution.

Job Specification

Key Competencies and skills

• Leadership skills;
• Negotiation and influencing skills;
• Managerial skills;
• Decision making and problem-solving;
• Budgeting and planning;
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and regulations;
• Analytical and conceptual skills;
• Ability to form and maintain partnerships and collaborations;
• Excellent writing and communication skills;
• High emotional intelligence;
• Organizational skills including planning, monitoring and controlling;
• Interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Team building,
• Adaptability;
• Accountability;
• Conflict management;
• Supervisory, coaching and mentoring skills;
• Integrity; and
• Results-driven.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Review manual and digital SOPs, Batch Records, and logbook documentation with detail and accuracy in a timely manner;
• Coordinate the development of technical planning documents and production schedules;
• Develop work plans, budgets and performance targets in the section;
• Identify complex problems and offering effective solutions through development or modification of test methodology with the production activities;
• Coordinate the review of test results in alignment with the section goals, identifying causes of variances, and recommending solutions to achieve goals;
• Schedule experiments and prioritizing assignments to meet project objectives and deadlines in liaison with relevant functions;
• Manage the safe maintenance equipment, machinery and chemicals;
• Coordinate the conduction of laboratory experiments and preparing reports with conclusions and recommendations;
• Coordinate the development of new laboratory procedures or improvise existing procedures to meet project objectives;
• Spearhead adherence to Institute safety standards and SOPs for laboratory activities;
• Coordinate the identification and management of potential risks within complex projects in a timely fashion;
• Monitor recording of accurate and complete experimental methods and results;
• Oversee adherence to health, safety, and environmental regulations;
• Lead and support scientific teams in projects and other relevant working areas;
• Manage and organize inventories of supplies and raw materials;
• Monitor and evaluate monthly, quarterly, and yearly production schedules and recommending areas of improvement;
• Monitor and evaluate risk management measures and plans in the section;
• Coordinate the development of appropriate specifications for laboratory chemicals, equipment, and machines;
• Coordinate laboratory equipment and machines calibration and preventive maintenance and make reports;
• Coordinate the implementation of Standard Operation Procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP);
• Lead and /or participate diligently in various committees as shall be appointed or tasked from time to time;
• Provide custody to production data and records;
• Coordinating the execution of Shift and 'on-call' instructions as directed by management; Implement the division’s strategies, decisions and policies as communicated by the Manager production, Vaccine and Biologicals;
• Review all reports for accuracy, relevance and presentation to the Manager production, Vaccine and Biologicals in good time;
• Provide regular, thorough and prompt communication to the Manager Production, Vaccine and Biologicals on key technical, financial and administrative matters;
• Implement effective administrative structures, processes and systems as directed by the division; and
• Lead in the development of the section’s strategic plan, business plan and budgets and submit to the Manager production, Vaccine and Biologicals for review and approval.