Are you an organic chemist who knows how to connect chemistry with business, and who brings a pragmatic, solution-focused mindset? We offer a unique and engaging opportunity to guide talented teams across multiple sites and combine chemistry, strategy and a commercial mindset to deliver a wide range of R&D services to our customers.
Who are we?
At Ofichem Group, we continuously work toward our shared goal: making a difference in the health of both people and animals. We believe that every person and every animal has the right to safe and fair medicine. Ofichem Group develops, manufactures, and distributes active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and medicines for both human and veterinary use. As an internationally operating CDMO, with sites in the Netherlands and Sweden, we provide integrated Drug Substance development and manufacturing services to the global biotech and pharmaceutical industry. Our expertise spans the entire lifecycle, from pre-clinical and route scouting development of to GMP commercial production of APIs.
What does your role look like?
As Head of R&D, you will take on the dynamic combination between a scientific, entrepreneurial, strategic leadership role at Laboratorium Ofichem B.V. We are looking for an expert who ensures high-level coordination of R&D activities and determination of the feasibility of potential CDMO projects together with the Head of Business Development. In this role, you will be the point of contact internally and externally regarding the R&D activities. You will define and execute the R&D strategy across multiple sites, ensuring full alignment with business objectives while driving scientific and operational excellence. Acting as the bridge between research, production, and commercial functions, you translate innovation into tangible results, from early-stage development to technology transfer and scale-up. Through your leadership, you will foster collaboration and ensure that our R&D capabilities remain competitive and compliant in a dynamic, fast-evolving market.
Your key responsibilities:
- Coordinate R&D activities across multiple sites, ensuring consistent standards, communication, and project governance with an urge to deliver projects within agreed deadlines and commitments.
- Act as the primary technical lead for the CDMO activities, both internally and in client discussions, supporting proposal development and project acquisition. This requires a solution driven mindset, even if this requires an unconventional way of thinking.
- Lead project management across all R&D initiatives, from scoping to execution and delivery.
- Define, implement, and monitor the R&D strategy aligned with Business Unit and Group objectives.
- Drive innovation in API development through integration of synthetic chemistry and chemical engineering — optimizing routes, process design, and scale-up for robustness, safety, and manufacturability.
- Collaborate with Business Development, Operations, Quality, and Regulatory Affairs to secure seamless technology transfer. Build, inspire, mentor, and develop high-performing cross-site teams with a culture of accountability and innovation.
- Ensure GMP, SHE, and quality compliance across all projects and sites.
- Monitor market and scientific trends to identify new opportunities and steer innovation proposals.
What we ask of you:
- PhD in Organic Chemistry, or a related field.
- Strong commercially driven, entrepreneurial, pragmatic and solution-oriented mindset.
- Experience in a CDMO environment is preferred.
- Affinity with the pharmaceutical industry, with solid knowledge of GMP and GDP guidelines.
- In-depth understanding of API manufacturing processes.
- Excellent communication abilities and customer orientation.
- Ability to have full high-level overview of all projects and ability to guide R&D teams
- Fluency in English, additional languages are a plus.
What we offer:
- A 40-hour work week, on-site in Ter Apel, Groningen.
- A market-based salary depending on knowledge and experience.
- 28 vacation days [fulltime], 8% holiday allowance, a good travel expense reimbursement, and a pension scheme.
- A position offering plenty of variety, diversity, freedom, and responsibility.
- Opportunities for development and personal growth.
- An active staff association that regularly organizes enjoyable company outings.
Do you have any questions or would you like more information? Please contact our HRM department at hrm@ofichem.com, or apply directly by sending your CV and motivation letter via email to recruitment@ofichem.com.