Interview with Aleix Freixa

Please introduce yourself and your role at Centrient Pharmaceuticals. 

My name is Aleix Freixa. Currently, I am the Global Head of Engineering at Centrient. In my role, I am responsible for the Engineering, Maintenance, and Projects area inside the Technical Operations (TechOps) function. I am the Chairman of Centrient's Investment Committee and serve as a member of the Technical Operations leadership team. 

Prior to working at Centrient, I worked for several chemical and pharmaceutical companies specializing in a range of areas, from aseptic ophthalmic products to biodiesel manufacturing from animal-based feedstock. In all my previous assignments, I have always considered the efficiency of operations as a key component for operational success. I have enthusiastically used continuous improvement activities and designed state-of-the-art facilities in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

Can you also tell us a little bit about your career journey so far? 

Since I was a child, I have been interested in how things work. I am passionate about understanding processes and, once understood, how to improve them to be more competitive. My educational background is in Chemical Engineering, for which I received a degree from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. I am currently in pursuit of obtaining a Grade in Business Administration, which I will be completing this year.

I began my career in the TechOps division, working within the Engineering and Production departments of pharmaceutical companies. Back in 2014, I held the position of Project Manager at an esteemed engineering firm. During this time, I collaborated closely with Centrient’s Cephalosporins sites. Their unwavering commitment left a lasting impression on me, and I observed firsthand how the company was positively impacting the world. It became clear to me that Centrient was an organization where I aspired to work, and I looked forward to joining their team in the future. Fast forward to 2021, I eagerly joined Centrient as a Maintenance and Projects Manager. Since then, I have held multiple positions, from Engineering Manager to Global Lead Engineering, and now as the Head of Engineering.

What do you like most about working at Centrient Pharmaceuticals?

Centrient is an environment teeming with exciting opportunities for career growth. Every employee is valued, and our Executive Committee has a strong and dedicated commitment to fostering our development and supporting us in achieving our goals and aspirations. 

What is also exciting about working at Centrient is that, given the complexity and ever-changing landscape of these dynamic times, our organization's resilience and ability to navigate through complex situations is evident through the passion, collaboration, and forward-thinking spirit shown by our employees. Our values underpin everything we do, and it's exciting to be a part of an environment that is conducive to empowering its employees to contribute meaningfully to our purpose of improving lives through sustainable and innovative manufacturing of medicines throughout the world.

What does it mean for you to be a leader?

Being a good leader is about helping your teams and your people find a path to achieve your common goals. In our case and from the perspective of the Global Engineering department, we work closely with all our manufacturing sites' Engineering and Maintenance departments to improve the reliability of our plants and the execution of our TechOps Investment Projects. It also means being present and continuing to support our teams, while also looking forward towards Centrient's future.