Team Leader, Harvesting

JenaValve is a global medical device company focused on developing and manufacturing innovative Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) systems for the treatment of patients with severe aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis.

Our mission is to raise awareness of aortic regurgitation and transform treatment options for patients living with this condition.

Our Leeds manufacturing facility produces the proprietary porcine pericardial tissue valves used within the JenaValve TAVR System.

Joining JenaValve means becoming part of a team that is dedicated to delivering high-quality medical devices and supporting advancements in patient care across the world.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Harvesting Team Leader to lead and develop our Harvesting team, ensuring the safe, compliant and efficient collection, handling and supply of fresh pericardium tissue used in the manufacture of JenaValve transcatheter heart valves.

The role combines hands-on harvesting activities with day-to-day people leadership, workforce planning, quality oversight and continuous improvement initiatives. You will act as the first point of escalation for operational, quality, safety and supplier-related matters whilst maintaining continuity of tissue supply and supporting manufacturing operations, product development and business growth.

• Lead, motivate and develop the Harvesting team to achieve departmental objectives and production requirements.
• Set clear expectations, monitor performance and provide regular coaching, feedback and development support.
• Conduct one-to-one meetings, performance reviews and development discussions.
• Identify training needs and ensure team members remain trained and competent for assigned activities.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and induction of new employees.
• Promote a positive, accountable and collaborative team culture.
• Lead team meetings and communicate priorities, quality matters and safety information effectively.

• Coordinate personnel, equipment, transport arrangements and communication across harvesting locations and shifts.
• Ensure effective preparation for harvesting activities, including staffing, equipment, consumables, PPE and documentation.
• Perform harvesting activities at approved abattoirs in accordance with approved procedures.
• Ensure harvested tissue is correctly selected, handled, identified, stored and transported to maintain quality and traceability.
• Maintain oversight of harvesting schedules, inventories and raw material supplies.
• Support continuity of operations across a two-shift harvesting function.

• Ensure operations are conducted in accordance with the Quality Management System, Good Manufacturing Practice and approved work instructions.
• Perform and oversee checks against specifications, acceptance criteria and defined quality standards.
• Lead or support investigations into quality issues, non-conformances and operational deviations.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Monitor departmental KPIs and drive improvements in quality, delivery and efficiency.
• Support process development, validation activities, procedural improvements and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain accurate production records, Device History Records and associated documentation.

• Lead by example in complying with all environmental, health and safety requirements.
• Ensure team members follow risk assessments, contamination controls and PPE requirements.
• Stop work and escalate issues where safety, quality or compliance may be compromised.
• Develop effective working relationships with manufacturing, quality, engineering and R&D teams.
• Liaise with approved abattoir partners, suppliers and external stakeholders as required.
• Support audits, site visits and training activities.

• Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Excellent organisational, planning and workload prioritisation skills.
• Ability to coordinate resources, equipment, travel and staffing across multiple locations.
• Strong decision-making skills and the ability to work independently in remote and off-site environments.
• Effective coaching, mentoring and training abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality, safety and compliance.
• Ability to analyse issues, support root cause investigations and implement effective solutions.
• Good documentation and record-keeping skills, including an understanding of GMP and GDP requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and manufacturing systems.
• Willingness to work with animal tissue and within wet-process manufacturing environments.

• GCSEs or equivalent qualifications.
• Minimum of 3 years' relevant experience within harvesting, GMP manufacturing, medical devices, cleanroom operations or another regulated industry.
• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience within a manufacturing or operational environment.
• Experience training, coaching and developing employees.
• Experience supporting quality investigations, corrective actions and continuous improvement activities.
• Experience coordinating activities across multiple locations or shift-based operations would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of equipment, tools and procedures used within regulated manufacturing environments.
• Full and valid UK driving licence

• Based at the Leeds site with daily travel to approved third-party abattoirs and other operational locations as required.
• Supports harvesting operations across two shifts and requires flexibility to work variable hours, including early starts.
• Work within both cleanroom and active abattoir environments while wearing appropriate PPE.
• Regular driving as part of business operations.
• Work with animal tissue while following strict hygiene, biosecurity and contamination control requirements

• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Free parking
• Private medical insurance
• Employee Referral programme
• Sick pay

Pay £47,000 per year