API Maintenance Lead - Tipperary

This senior role is pivotal to the site’s success, providing an opportunity to make a real impact in a dynamic and innovative environment. The API Maintenance Lead will report to the Engineering Lead and will be responsible for all maintenance-related activities for the site’s API production facilities and utilities. Reporting directly to this role are a team of Planners, Engineers, and several Front-Line Leaders managing their respective maintenance teams.

The incumbent works closely with Operations Leadership to deliver results and is also a key strategic partner in managing a company union relationship.

As the API Maintenance Lead, the goal is to deliver a world-class maintenance program by leading a high-performing maintenance team dedicated to talent development, capability building (including lean and technical skills), and fostering a growth mindset. This role ensures effective maintenance planning and scheduling to deliver high asset availability while meeting compliance expectations and managing costs efficiently. This position carries significant budget responsibilities and oversight of a large maintenance organization.

The incumbent will join at an ideal time to influence and develop the API maintenance team of the future. A significant capital investment program is underway, alongside a maintenance and digital transformation. The ideal candidate is a leader capable of driving this transformation within maintenance and enabling a world-class maintenance mindset through people.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES

Lead a High-Performance Maintenance Team

• Manage the performance, people development, and skill capability building of direct reports, while coaching next-level managers to do the same.
• Oversee the planning, scheduling, and execution of all maintenance work activities to meet compliance expectations and achieve high schedule adherence.
• Further develop group capability in lean, digital, and technical skills, with a particular focus on structured problem-solving.
• Act as a key company representative in union relations, including proactive communication and issue resolution at the appropriate level.
• Manage engineering expense expenditures (routine and non-routine) and provide maintenance input into the site capital plan.

Asset Reliability and Continuous Improvement

• Accountable for delivering high asset uptime through effective maintenance strategies while meeting PM/calibration compliance requirements.
• Report engineering metrics and develop action plans to address performance gaps.
• Collaborate with the Reliability and Systems Lead to drive continuous improvement using Model Area and digital solutions, leveraging lean tools such as Model Area, Kata, 8-step problem-solving, and 5S.

Maintenance Resource Management

• Ensure sufficient and effective resources are available within the team to meet business needs.
• Manage maintenance labor costs, as well as repairs and spare parts expenditures.

Compliance

• Ensure API asset management complies with cGMP, Health, Safety, and Environmental regulations.
• Act as the topic owner for PM/calibration, ensuring timely investigation and resolution of compliance-related deviations.

Budgeting

• Prepare the maintenance budget to support API IPT, monitor performance against budget targets, and manage performance within the profit plan.
• Ensure financial governance for maintenance-executed capital projects.

Leadership & Organization Skills

• Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to foster a growth mindset and focus on capability building (Lean & technical).
• Promote teamwork and collaboration while being results-oriented.
• Strong structured problem-solving skills, customer service focus, conflict resolution abilities, and sound judgment and decision-making.
• Advocate for a healthy work/life balance.

Technical Skills

• Honours Degree in Engineering, Science, or an equivalent post-trade qualification and experience. Additional management qualifications are an advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in an engineering or maintenance environment in a management role.
• Broad multi-functional experience, ideally including experience in a pharmaceutical or other regulated environment.
• Proven knowledge of Operational Excellence and Asset Reliability Principles. Formal qualifications in LSS or equivalent would be an advantage.
• Strong understanding of safety and environmental legislation.