Senior Director, Global Engineering

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Ireland.

📋 Description

• Define and implement Avantor’s global engineering strategy in alignment with growth, operational excellence, and sustainability objectives.

• Convert strategy into functional goals, governance frameworks, and execution plans.

• Establish global engineering standards, design principles, and best practices.

• Oversee and manage global capital programs, plant constructions, expansions, and infrastructure initiatives.

• Ensure effective project execution throughout concept development, FEED, design, execution, commissioning, and handover phases.

• Foster cross-functional alignment across operations, supply chain, quality, EHS, and finance departments.

• Establish automation standards and integrate manufacturing systems with enterprise digital platforms.

• Implement Industry 4.0 technologies, advanced analytics, and smart factory solutions.

• Enhance asset lifecycle, reliability, uptime, maintainability, cost-effectiveness, and OEE.

• Lead process engineering and the deployment of automated manufacturing systems, robotics, PLC/SCADA, MES integration, and advanced control systems.

• Ensure adherence to GMP, ISO, PSM, regulatory, corporate safety, and environmental standards.

• Mentor and develop director-level and managerial talent.

• Oversee workforce planning, hiring, staffing, resource allocation, and personnel decisions.

• Collaborate with global internal teams as well as external EPC firms, vendors, suppliers, and technology providers.

• Balance global standardization with regional adaptability and engage with executive-level stakeholders.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related field.

• Over 15 years of progressive engineering and operations leadership experience in chemical, life sciences, pharmaceutical, or similarly regulated sectors.

• Proven experience leading global engineering organizations and managing capital portfolios, including programs up to $20M and plant constructions and expansions exceeding $100M.

• Strong foundation in process engineering and discrete automated manufacturing systems.

• Demonstrated expertise in Process Safety Management (PSM) and regulatory compliance.

• Experience in managing new plant constructions, large-scale expansions, and brownfield projects.

• A successful track record of building and leading high-performing technical and leadership teams.

• Master’s degree preferred in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or an MBA.

• PMP certification is preferred.

• Experience in multi-site global organizations with intricate supply chains.

• Familiarity with digital manufacturing, IT/OT integration, MES, EBR systems, and advanced control technologies.

• Prior responsibility for engineering budgets, capital allocations, and portfolio governance.

• Knowledge of GMP, ISO 9001/13485, and other regulated quality systems.

🏝️ Benefits

• Learning opportunities to foster career advancement and success.

• A diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture.

• Equal employment opportunities and a reasonable accommodation process.