How Pharma Firms Can Attract Top Talent for Streamlining TechOps

In the ever-evolving landscape of pharmaceuticals, TechOps has become one of the driving forces behind efficiency, productivity, and, ultimately, groundbreaking advancements in the industry. As pharmaceutical companies strive to remain at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs and deliver life-saving medicines to patients worldwide, the need for top-tier tech talent to streamline and optimise their operations has never been more critical.

In this guide, we’ll delve into how pharma firms can become magnets for top TechOps talent, fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and excellence, all while advancing the frontiers of medicine for the benefit of humanity. We’ll explore the importance of streamlining TechOps, the various skills employers should consider when recruiting technical operations professionals, and strategies for attracting exceptional talent in this fascinating field. 

The Importance of Streamlining TechOps 

Responsible for managing the technical aspects of the drug development process, TechOps plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing that pharmaceutical products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and in compliance with the latest regulations. Technical operations staff are tasked with performing a range of tasks designed to ensure that the process runs smoothly, such as equipment and facility management, regulatory compliance, and data management. 

With the pharma industry expected to spend more than $4.5 billion on digital transformation, many pharmaceutical companies view technology integration as key to reducing the risks associated with rising costs and an ever-complex regulatory landscape. Given this level of investment in innovative technologies like AI and machine learning, streamlining TechOps processes is likely to become an increasingly important aim for the sector. 

There are numerous strategies that pharma firms can implement to optimise TechOps, including deploying digital technology for data analytics, automating manual processes with AI and robotics, and encouraging cross-functional collaboration. In order to make sure that the TechOps process is optimised in an efficient and regulatory-compliant manner, it is essential for companies to hire technical operations professionals with the right skill sets. 

For streamlining TechOps at your organisation, you should consider hiring professionals with expertise in areas such as process optimisation, quality control, technology transfer, and data management. The latter is a field that has become a recruitment focus for pharma firms, with research showing that there is a notable rise in the amount of available big data jobs.

What Skills Should Pharma Firms Look For in TechOps Candidates? 

The field of TechOps is a broad field church that encompasses a wide range of professions, including Cloud Architects, IT Operations Managers, and Data Analysis. While each of these roles requires specific technical expertise, there are various transferable soft skills that employers should consider when hiring all-important TechOps staff. These include: 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effectively collaborating with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders

• A meticulous attention to detail to ensure that processes are accurately followed

• Outstanding record-keeping and organisational skills

• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt accordingly 

• Have a passion for innovation and continuous learning 

By recruiting candidates who possess these skills, pharma companies have a greater chance of successfully streamlining their TechOps processes and maintaining their competitive edge in an era of digital transformation. 

Which technical operations jobs you choose to fill entirely depends on the unique needs of your company, but here are 3 examples of roles that can support you in optimising TechOps: 

Data Analyst 

Responsible for collecting, processing, and analysing complex datasets collected from the drug development process, Data Analysts play a significant role in streamlining TechOps. They apply statistical techniques to identify patterns and trends that aid decision-making, thereby reducing downtime and improving efficiency. Their responsibilities include analysing supply chain data to identify bottlenecks, interpreting clinical trial outcomes, and assessing potential risks in pharmaceutical operations.    

Technical Operations Manager 

Technical Operations Managers oversee and optimise technical operations, ensuring that all pharmaceutical products are manufactured with safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance in mind. Their role is paramount for ensuring that TechOps staff are well-trained and aware of the latest regulatory guidelines. They perform a variety of duties intended to streamline TechOps, such as analysing existing processes to identify bottlenecks, overseeing the allocation of resources, and implementing technological solutions to enhance the operational efficiency of the drug development process. 

Cyber Security Engineer 

Protecting sensitive data is a primary concern for pharmaceutical companies, as they typically deal with large amounts of confidential data, including patient information and intellectual property. Hiring a Cyber Security Engineer effectively ensures that your data is safeguarded from cyber threats. Keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the world of cyber security, they create security protocols to protect networks from malware, hacking, and other threats. They work closely with TechOps teams to make sure that their technology infrastructure is safe and stable, striking a balance between cyber security and the need for efficiency. 

If you’d like to learn more about technical operations roles, read through our ‘Top Technical Operations Jobs in the Pharmaceutical Industry’ guide. 

Strategies for Attracting High-Quality TechOps Professionals

Hiring top tech talent is crucial if you are a pharmaceutical business looking to streamline your TechOps processes. However, recruiting high-quality technical professionals is becoming increasingly challenging, with 80% of pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities claiming to have experienced a technical skills mismatch. These recruitment difficulties are due to factors such as an ongoing talent shortage, high turnover, and fierce competition from other pharmaceutical companies. 

Fortunately, there are various methods for attracting the best and brightest professionals with the ideal skills to optimise your TechOps needs. Here are 5 strategies you should implement to draw in the ideal technical operations candidates your company requires to boost performance and efficiencies: 

1. Communicate Your Mission and Values

Candidates with highly sought-after technical skills are in demand in a wide range of sectors, and the pharmaceutical industry is no exception. To attract top talent, it is vital to inspire potential candidates to feel motivated to apply for your organisation by clearly communicating your mission and your values. With a unique employer brand that conveys your aims and ambitions, you’ll be well-positioned to attract top-tier candidates who share your passion. 

For example, multinational pharmaceutical firm Pfizer displays their company’s purpose in the About section of their website, stating, ‘We’re in relentless pursuit of breakthroughs that change patients’ lives.’ Short, concise, and emotive sentences like this are crucial for communicating your overarching mission and helping craft a compelling employer brand story. Before deciding what to include in your mission statement, consider the factors that make you stand out, such as real-world examples of your impact. 

By establishing a purpose that emphasises a commitment to innovation and bettering people’s lives, pharmaceutical companies can attract candidates who possess the perfect balance of technical expertise and passion for making a meaningful difference to the world’s health and well-being. In addition to advertising your purpose on your website, you can showcase your mission on job descriptions, via social media channels, and at industry events. 

2. Highlight Career Growth Opportunities 

Another way to attract tech talent to apply for your TechOps roles is by highlighting your organisation's career growth opportunities. Career progression is often cited as a deciding factor in retaining professionals with in-demand technical skills, with a survey conducted by Harvard Business Review revealing that the number one reason why tech employees quit their roles is due to a lack of growth opportunities. With this in mind, you should provide your TechOps staff with a well-defined career ladder outlining the steps needed to progress. 

It is important to demonstrate to potential employees that you have schemes and initiatives in place designed to support their professional development. For instance, a mentorship and coaching program in which experienced mentors pair up with new hires is an excellent way to foster a sense of collaboration and belonging. Other key methods include regular performance reviews and feedback sessions, creating bespoke development plans, and sending out employee engagement surveys. 

Leveraging your social media channels is an effective way to communicate your professional growth opportunities to prospective applicants. You could share stories about your employees and how they have climbed your career ladder via platforms such as LinkedIn or Facebook. Industry events and conferences are also ideal places for showcasing your professional development schemes, and you may even find suitable candidates at these gatherings. 

3. Establish a Culture of Continuous Learning 

Professionals working in a highly innovative field like TechOps are required to be tech-savvy, so ensuring that their skills and knowledge are up to date is a top priority for them. By establishing a culture of continuous learning within your TechOps team, you’ll be able to attract top tech talent, boost retention rates, and improve employee satisfaction. Providing training and learning opportunities for upskilling your employees will show future applicants that your organisation cares about investing in its staff’s development, and it’s a surefire way of attracting top-level candidates. 

According to the State of Upskilling Report, 86% of workers wish to improve their tech skills for career advancement, an eye-catching statistic highlighting employers' pressing need to facilitate learning opportunities. Managing a knowledgeable TechOps team is also beneficial from an employer perspective, as it is likely to improve productivity and efficiency. 

Investing in employee training and development should be part and parcel of your workplace culture, and there is an abundance of TechOps-related online courses designed to enrich their knowledge and refine their skills. The web is home to various platforms that host courses for TechOps staff in the pharmaceutical industry, covering all manner of topics from technical skills to regulatory compliance. Providers like Coursera, NSF, and the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering offer courses designed to improve skills and processes. 

4. Offer Competitive Compensation and Benefits 

A top reason why candidates with sought-after technical skills choose to enter the field of TechOps is because of the relatively high-earnings potential. Because of this, it is imperative for pharmaceutical companies to offer attractive compensation packages to retain their competitive edge over rival organisations. To get a sense of how you can make your packages all the more appealing, conduct market research into what other companies offer. For personalised guidance and insights tailored to your specific needs, feel free to contact I-Pharm today. 

Refining compensation packages isn’t just about offering higher pay; employers must also offer a combination of benefits to attract the best and brightest TechOps candidates. These may include additional annual leave, bonuses for performance, healthcare benefits, and a hybrid work model. It’s important to bear in mind that TechOps professionals have a tendency to be detail-oriented and analytical, so it is vital that you present your full list of workplace perks on the job ad and on your website.  

5. Partner with a Pharmaceutical Recruitment Agency

Partnering with a dedicated pharmaceutical recruitment agency is guaranteed to attract the high-quality candidates you require to optimise your company’s technical operations. With industry expertise, access to a vast pool of candidates, and a selection of hiring services, recruitment agencies can source exceptional tech talent for your TechOps jobs. Importantly, they can help your organisation save money in the long run by reducing overhead costs associated with conducting interviews and sourcing candidates and minimising the expensive risk of bad hires. 

Recruiters will be able to take care of time-consuming hiring tasks such as CV screening, scheduling interviews, placing job ads, and negotiating salaries, leaving you to focus on your day-to-day business duties. The pharmaceutical industry is a candidate-led job market, and sourcing outstanding candidates can be difficult if you don’t have an extensive network. By calling on the services of a recruitment agency, you can gain access to a much broader selection of active and passive candidates, giving you a greater chance of hiring the best possible staff for your TechOps team. 

Key Takeaways 

The importance of streamlining TechOps cannot be overstated, as it ensures the safe and efficient production of pharmaceutical products, aligning with industry regulations and embracing cutting-edge technology. As the pharmaceutical industry invests heavily in digital transformation, optimising TechOps processes becomes a strategic imperative. Employing digital tools, data analytics, automation, and fostering collaboration are all essential steps.

In the ever-evolving pharmaceutical landscape, top TechOps talent will drive efficiency, innovation, and excellence. By implementing these strategies, pharmaceutical firms can build the dynamic teams needed to advance the frontiers of medicine, ultimately benefiting humanity with groundbreaking advancements in healthcare.

Inspiring Excellence Through Pharmaceutical Recruitment 

Since forming in 2008, we have been providing market-leading recruitment services for Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and MedTech businesses worldwide. We are passionate about changing lives by placing people at the heart of life sciences, with a proven track record of connecting our clients with their ideal candidates. 

If you’d like to learn more about how we can support you with your talent acquisition strategy, reach out to us today.