Head of Engineering

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across three continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

Following our agreement with Roche to acquire the Vacaville manufacturing facility, we are now looking to recruit the Head of Engineering for the Vacaville site.

Reporting to the Site Head and serving as a full member of the Site Leadership Team responsible for site strategy, execution and results, the incumbent will have overall responsibility for providing Engineering, Automation, Reliability and Engineering Project Management to the site. Incumbent will ensure that opportunities in these areas are prioritized, delegated and followed through to resolution. These areas include:

• Reliability

• CAPEX Engineering and Projects (Under 10M CHF)

• Validation (equipment, automation and cleaning, CQV/CSV)

• Automation/OT

This position is contingent upon Lonza’s successful completion of the acquisition of the site located in Vacaville, California (the “Closing”), currently anticipated to occur in H2, 2024. If the Closing is delayed for any reason, Lonza may delay the start date up to sixty (60) days. If you’re interested, please apply.

Key responsibilities:

Plans, directs, and implements the engineering, validation, project management, reliability engineering and automation functions, which includes but is not limited to the following areas:

• Design, maintain, procure, validate, modify, optimize, commission, implement, operationally support and continuously improve upstream and downstream biotech mechanical systems and equipment, operational infrastructure and automation systems
• Establish, maintain and improve reliability standards. Utilize state of the art novel technologies and industry best practices for proactively managing equipment uptime during routine operation to minimize scheduled shutdowns for preventive maintenance and planned service
• Establish and manage department organization, resource plans, annual budgets, and spend controls/forecasts to implement multiple simultaneous capital projects to meet business needs and monitor/control expenses. Serve as CAPEX manager for the site and approves all Capital Authorization Requests (CARs)
• Provide departmental Hoshin Kanri for goal-setting and measures individual and team performance against leading metrics and lean principles at the department, Site and Network levels. Accountable for delivering, equipment, infrastructure, automation, validation and CapEx projects and operability to the site through management of engineering staff and leadership of the full department. Ensure that issues in these areas are prioritized, delegated and followed through to resolution
• Strategically plans engineering programs and operations in a manner consistent with Lonza policy and procedure and consistent with other LCM and Group facilities and standards to deliver to Site and Network objectives. Ensure that all engineering solutions are designed and implemented in accordance with accepted standards of cGMP and Good Engineering Practice. Interfaces with peers at other sites and in alignment with Global functions to share best practices, ensure harmonization and to implement consistently
• Integrates long term objectives for growth and change within the company into department planning by anticipating activities that will be required. Provides senior management for the best recommendation from alternative solutions to optimize schedule, budget, and customer satisfaction. Interface with customers' potential processes and products from the standpoint of facility and infrastructure fit into current systems and with MSAT defines modifications to ensure fit. Interface with internal project teams to assure customer tech transfer success
• Apply, advocate and model use of Lean principles and tools as part of established Engineering standard work, establishment monitoring and reporting of leading Key Performance Indicators and problem solving utilizing the Lonza Business Management System (LBMS)
• Define, develop, execute and document validation programs and protocols to deliver equipment and associated systems in the validated state for operational use following established Site, Lonza and Global processes
• Evaluate and implement, with Global Network partners, cutting edge harmonized equipment and automation technologies suitable for cGMP biologics processing and site adoption
• Lead the Engineering Department and partner with facility, utility, MSAT and end to end project teams, and Network and Global partners to harmonize and sustain best practices for operational processes and equipment
• Responsible for establishing succession plans, objectives and development plans for department and all assigned staff. Make recommendations for development of skills and performance, and counsel employees on career options and alternatives. Provide direction during the year as to the priority of these objectives and development goals and provide feedback on results. Utilize department and site results from Voice of Employee surveys to drive actions to improve engagement
• Create an environment of strong team spirit, timely and effective communications, sense of urgency, high motivation and inspire team to achieve goals
• Accountable for attaining the highest level of proactive safety compliance by achieving goals for Safety Walks, timely completion of safety actions and thorough investigation of safety events and implementation of effective CAPAs
• Perform other duties as assigned

Key requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Mechanical
• Practical experience in the achievement of Automation systems to deliver reliability and performance is preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of practical experience in leading engineering design, project implementation across a range of projects including CapEx, process, reliability and automation within the biopharma or other regulated industries. Track record in implementation of systems to improve efficiency and adherence to GMP
• 8-10 plus years of people management experience within engineering, automation and project management teams with accountability for objectives and subsequent evaluation
• 5 Years of experience in working with external design and construction contractors in executing work within facilities
• Evidence of broad knowledge of biopharmaceutical manufacturing with Regulatory and GMP requirements for operating a licensed bio/pharm manufacturing facility
• Highly skilled in application of Lean and Project management practices, broad communication capabilities up, down and across a Global matrix organization and financial acumen are required
• Strong leadership, collaboration and influencing skills with demonstrated ability to problem solve and drive positive change
• Practical experience with financial systems, accounting practices, P&L financial reporting and experience with customers in a CMO business plan is beneficial

In line with Lonza’s compensation philosophy of paying at or around the median of the Life Science industry, the annual base salary Lonza Vacaville reasonably expects to pay from your position ranges from $199’000 to $338’000.

Individual compensation will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to individual skills, qualifications, competencies, individual experience and expertise, job-related knowledge, and the availability of talent. Most roles in your job family will fall within the range provided. In limited cases, there may be factors that could lead to an annual base salary outside of the typical expected salary range for your position.

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.