Associate Director - Engineering (Automation)

Lilly • Houston, TX

3d • $123,000 - $180,400 • Onsite

About The Position

Lilly is constructing an advanced manufacturing facility for production of API molecules located in Houston, TX. This facility is intended to provide APIs for current and future products, including new modalities. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the site technical team for the startup of a greenfield manufacturing site, and the successful candidate will help to build the organization, the facility and the culture to enable a successful startup into GMP manufacturing operations.
The Associate Director – Engineering (Automation) is responsible for the supervision of the process control engineers and technicians that support the daily operations of the facility. The Associate Director is also responsible for the productivity and development of the employees with the purpose of ensuring that reliable and compliant control applications and systems are used in the manufacturing of API drug substances. Additionally, the Associate Director partners to influence and implement within the process control organization and across functional disciplines to support the process control technical agenda, business plan priorities, and compliance objectives.
In the project delivery phase and startup phase of the project, leadership roles will be fluid and dynamic as we endeavor to support the project delivery, build a new organization, develop and implement the necessary systems and business processes required to support GMP operations, and build the site culture. This will require significant collaboration, creativity and resilience as the site grows to a full scale GMP manufacturing through start up.
During the design and delivery of the project this role will be integrated into the corporate automation team GPACE (Global Process Automation & Control Engineering) and then transition fully to a site-based process team position. During delivery, this role will collaborate with A&E firms, system integrators, and corporate and site engineering peers.
Post-project delivery, this role will support GMP manufacturing operations in the central engineering function supporting one or more process teams. This role will require significant collaboration, creativity and resilience as the site grows to a full scale GMP manufacturing site through start up.

Requirements

• Minimum B.S. in Engineering (preferably Chemical Engineering)
• 5 + years of experience in Process Control and Automation Engineering, preferably in API manufacturing.
• 3+ years of related leadership experience

Nice To Haves

• Experience with automation platforms including Rockwell Automation and Emerson DeltaV.
• Ability to instill teamwork within the department and demonstrate key interpersonal skills.
• Ability to ensure appropriate technical depth and rigor with departmental technical deliverables.
• Successful application of organizational models through recruiting and retention of employees.
• Ability to make decisions independently and to network with others as appropriate.
• Ability to function in a team environment as a leader and as a member of management teams.
• State licensure as a Professional Engineer is not required but is encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Attract, hire, and onboard top talent to the Process Control Engineering team, establishing the right attitude, curiosity, and learning agility to deliver on the site mission.
• Build the organization with the necessary capability, capacity, and culture to operate this facility to the highest standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Develop and implement the business systems and processes needed to run the site, leveraging existing Lilly knowledge where necessary, but also incorporating external experience.
• Establish lean practices and a continuous improvement mindset throughout operations and the direct supporting organizations.
• Support the project team to deliver the facility by providing feedback and support on design decisions, commissioning & qualification strategies, and automation-related deliverables.
• Collaborate with the project team to ensure the right decisions are made to meet project deliverables and longer-term strategic goals for the site.
• Organize and implement strategy for creating standard automation and process control operating procedures (SOPs) for startup and post-startup phases.
• Plan and manage business operational expenses, capital, and headcount targets.
• Supervise and coach process control team, including completing performance reviews and development plans.
• Staffing, including recruiting, resource planning, and succession planning.
• Process control work coordination.
• Review and monitor financial performance; commit to meeting targets.
• Develop and implement the Process Control Engineering Business Plan.
• Demonstrate a commitment to environmental, health, and safety (including PSM).
• Identify, track, and report key indicators of functional performance.
• Ensure team is operating in a state of compliance.
• In coordination with automation and compliance consultants, set and reinforce standards for appropriate rigor in automation work products.
• Assure focus by engineers and completion of critical assignments with appropriate monitoring and reporting.
• Review and approve automation-related deviations and change controls.
• Review and approve automation and process control standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure technical review and approval for documents, including investigations, change controls, regulatory submissions, validations, procedures, and control strategies.
• Interact with regulators, customers, or other outside stakeholders on business issues or in support of internal and external agency audits.
• Network globally to share best practices, rationale, and control strategies to ensure harmonization and alignment between sites.
• Be a fully active member of the flow leadership in running the plant, including participating on management sub-teams.
• Develop future management and technical expert leadership for the site.

Benefits

• company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance)
• company-sponsored 401(k)
• pension
• vacation benefits
• medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits
• flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts)
• life insurance and death benefits
• certain time off and leave of absence benefits
• well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager