Unit Lead Operational Engineering Steriles

As Unit Lead Operational Engineering Steriles you are responsible for providing process and automation engineering support for all sterile manufacturing units on the Kaiseraugst site. In that role you and the Steriles team are the first port of call for all engineering requirements related to the production equipment. As Unit Lead you will be responsible to ensure that the interfaces to other departments are clear and our internal clients (the Manufacturing Units) are happy with the service they receive.

• Functional and knowledge leadership for process and automation Engineering in the steriles production buildings.
• Close collaboration with partner organizations such as CAPEX Engineering, Reliability, ITOT and the steriles Manufacturing Units.
• Deal with escalations and ensure adequate solutions are implemented.
• Demand planning and coordination within the unit.
• Ensure the unit drives complex troubleshooting and lifecycle process improvements, leveraging expert knowledge in collaboration with manufacturing units and support teams, while promoting advanced methods and tools and integrating them into daily operations.
• Representation of the Operational Engineering Steriles department during health authority inspections and audits, including preparation, presentation, support, and follow-up, while ensuring effective communication and information flow among all stakeholders (manufacturing units, site support functions, global teams, quality divisions, suppliers).
• Leadership responsibilities, including membership in the E&S Leadership Team, setting goals, driving development, coaching and mentoring team members, assessing performance, and identifying and implementing improvements to production quality, plant efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and overall process optimization.

• Education & Experience: Master's degree in engineering (process, life science, or chemical engineering, electrical or automation), preferably with postgraduate training or a doctorate, and ≥8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including internal and contract manufacturing organizations and large CAPEX project execution, with several years in engineering and CMO environments and proven ability to reduce complexity.
• Leadership & Change Management: Several years of leadership experience (direct and/or matrix) with strong creative leadership aligned with the VACC model (Visionary, Architect, Coach, Catalyst) and a track record of driving change courageously while balancing risks and ensuring successful pacing, demonstrating openness to recognizing and leveraging opportunities from change.
• Project & Regulatory Expertise: Proven delivery of cross-functional and CAPEX projects, strong knowledge of health authority requirements, and experience executing registration-relevant technical changes, as well as participation in health authority inspections or audits.
• Operational & Quality Knowledge: Solid understanding of safety, quality systems, and quality assurance, including application of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and an entrepreneurial, systemic "end-to-end" mindset, with the ability to perform consistently in dynamic environments.
• Stakeholder & Communication Skills: Strong stakeholder management, ability to communicate and influence across all organizational levels, fluent in German and English (written and verbal), and ideally experienced in process digitization initiatives.

Ready to take the next step? We'd love to hear from you. Apply now to explore this exciting opportunity!