Novartis Posted August 9, 2026

Senior Process Expert (m/f/d)

Schaftenau, Austria Regular
Manufacturing & CMC Senior

Novartis is the source of truth for this posting and owns the application process. We surface normalized context and market comparison you won't find on the original listing.

About this opportunity

#LI-HybridLocation: Schaftenau, AustriaRelocation Support: This role is based in Schaftenau, Austria. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible. Are you an experienced pharmaceutical manufacturing professional with a deep understanding of Drug Product production processes and a passion for driving operational excellence? As a Senior Process Expert (m/f/d), you will serve as a key subject matter expert within Compounding & Filling or Visual Inspection operations, acting as the subject matter expert for critical manufacturing processes. In this role, you will independently manage complex operational topics, lead process improvement initiatives, and drive sustainable solutions that enhance product quality, compliance, and manufacturing performance. You will collaborate closely with Production, Quality Assurance, and Technical Operations teams, lead cross-functional projects, and play an important role in mentoring Process Experts and supporting the development of process expertise across the organization. This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive professional who thrives in a dynamic GMP environment and enjoys taking ownership from issue identification through implementation of lasting improvements.

Key Responsibilities:Serve as the subject matter expert for Drug Product manufacturing processes within Compounding & Filling or Visual Inspection operations.Independently manage multiple operational topics, establish priorities, and coordinate activities to ensure timely execution and business continuity.Lead investigations of deviations, define appropriate corrective and preventive actions, and drive sustainable process improvements to prevent recurrence.Prepare, review, and approve Master Batch Records and manufacturing documentation while ensuring compliance with GMP and quality standards.Lead qualification, implementation, and process improvement projects supporting manufacturing excellence and operational performance.Act as a key interface between Production, Quality Assurance, and Technical Operations teams to resolve complex manufacturing challenges.Provide technical leadership, mentor other Process Experts, and support onboarding and training activities within the organization.Support regulatory inspections and audits by providing process expertise and ensuring continuous inspection readiness. Essential Requirements:Fluent German and English communication skills, both written and spoken.Proven experience in a GMP-regulated manufacturing environment, preferably within aseptic pharmaceutical production.Ability to independently lead operational topics, coordinate stakeholders, and drive effective execution of actions and projects.Strong project management experience with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex workstreams simultaneously.Excellent communication and collaboration skills with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset and strong team focus.Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.Rewards At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen. The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and a minimum of 14 weeks paid parental leave. Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: Austria: EUR 66.918,00 - 112.600,00The salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.  In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters. Further details will be provided during the application process.  Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect, as outlined in our Code of Ethics. Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering: https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis-life-handbook.pdf  Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.  Adjustments for Applicants with Disabilities: If because of a medical condition, physical disability or a neurodiverse condition you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please reach out to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request as well as your contact information. The support which we can provide will include advice on suitable positions as well as guidance at all stages of the application process. Austrian law provides candidates the opportunity to involve the local disability representative, Behindertenvertrauensperson (BVP), in the application process. If you would like to request this, please let us know in advance as a note on your CV.Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO paragraph: Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Job details

Seniority
Senior
Function
Manufacturing & CMC
Therapeutic area
Not listed
Location
Schaftenau, Austria
Employment type
Regular

How this role compares

Computed from every other active Manufacturing & CMC role in our database, not just this employer's listings.

We currently track 373 comparable Senior Manufacturing & CMC roles across 53 biopharma companies.

373Comparable roles tracked
344Currently active
53Companies hiring similar roles
20Countries represented

Salary context

175 of 373 peers report a salary range (USD, annualized)

Peers share this role's job function and a matching or adjacent seniority level -- not necessarily the same therapeutic area or country.

This roleSubject Not listed on this posting
Lowest disclosed · Senior Scientist II – CMC Developmental Sciences · AbbVie $0/hr – $0/hr (≈ $0–$0/yr)
Peer group range $0 – $222,900 (median $142,325)

Where these roles are based

Top locations among the 373 comparable roles

United States268
India37
Ireland10
Singapore10
Netherlands7
Switzerland6

+ 14 more countries

Seniority mix

373 of 373 peers have a known seniority level

Senior250
Principal79
Associate Director44

Therapeutic area mix

0 of 373 peers have a known therapeutic area; the rest are genuinely unlabeled, not hidden

No peers with a known therapeutic area yet.

Similar opportunities

The closest matches from our peer group, ranked by how similar they are, not how well you'd qualify for them -- treat this as market context, not a guaranteed shortlist; a weak match is labeled as one below.

60%similar
Novartis Schaftenau, Austria Senior
Same function Same seniority Same country
60%similar
Novartis Schaftenau, Austria Senior
Same function Same seniority Same country
60%similar
Novartis Schaftenau, Austria Senior
Same function Same seniority Same country
60%similar
Novartis Kundl, Austria Senior
Same function Same seniority Same country
45%similar
Lilly San Diego, California, United States of America Senior
Same function Same seniority
45%similar
Merck Rahway, New Jersey, United States of America Senior
Same function Same seniority

How we calculate "similar"

No black box, no LLM guesswork: a deterministic score built from four normalized attributes. Here's this role's own peer group at different match levels, so you can see the mechanism, not just the result.

Every comparison starts from the same 100-point budget: 25 for working in the same function, 40 for the same therapeutic area, 20 for the same or adjacent seniority, 15 for the same country. A dimension we can't confirm on both sides contributes nothing, never a guess, never a free pass.

60%
Senior Expert Science & Technology – Downstream Process Development
Novartis · Schaftenau, Austria · Senior
Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
60%
Senior Engineer (DCS, PLC)
Novartis · Kundl, Austria · Senior
Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
45%
Senior Scientist, Conjugation Process Development
Seagen Inc · Washington – Bothell, United States · Senior
Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
45%
Senior Associate Proteins Bioanalytics with Mass Spectrometry Expertise (m/f/d
Roche · Penzberg, Bavaria, Germany · Senior
Function Therapeutic area Seniority Country
Unmatched or unknown dimensions score exactly the same: 0 points, never a partial guess. A role we know almost nothing about beyond its function bottoms out at 25%; it never inflates to 100% just because there's little to compare against. Seniority uses a defined ladder (Associate → Manager → Associate Director → Senior → Principal → Director → Senior Director → Executive/VP) so "Director" and "Senior Director" count as adjacent, but "Director" and "Executive/VP" do not.