Associate Director, Maintenance, Facilities & Automation

Corden Pharma Colorado

1d•Onsite

About The Position

CordenPharma is a leading full-service Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) specializing in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), excipients, drug products (DPs), and packaging. With around 3,000 employees worldwide, we help pharmaceutical and biotech companies manufacture medicines with the ultimate goal of improving people’s lives. Our network, spanning Europe and the U.S., provides flexible and specialized solutions across six technology platforms: Peptides, Lipids & Carbohydrates, Injectables, Highly Potent & Oncology, Small Molecules, and Oligonucleotides. We strive for excellence in supporting this network and are committed to delivering the highest quality products for patient well-being. Our People Vision We strive for excellence. We share our passion. Together, we make a difference in patients' lives. SUMMARY Leads Corden’s site-wide facilities, automation activities, and operational maintenance excellence facility. Plays a crucial role in delivering reliable facility, utility, and engineering operations that support both Research & Development and Manufacturing. Reports directly to the Head of Technical Operations, this is a site-based role with a strong cross-functional footprint and responsibility for performance, quality, and compliance of the facility. The successful candidate will lead large teams in each functional area, manage vendor partnerships, and drive improvements aligned with Corden’s business unit governance framework.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Life Sciences from a 4-year college or university, and 10 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to comprehend and apply principles of advanced calculus, modern algebra, and advanced statistical theory.
Ability to understand basic accounting and financial principles (ROI & IRR analysis, cashflow, committed vs. actual costs, etc.) as they apply to Process Engineering.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally required.
Broad knowledge of overall business operations related to maintenance, facilities, utilities, automation and associated engineering tasks
Demonstrated project management and financial management abilities
Prioritization and organizational skills; proactive problem identification skills for technical, organizational, and personnel issues; management and resolution of conflicting priorities; and ability to delegate
Demonstrated leadership skills, including team building, employee involvement, coaching, mentoring, facilitation, and communications both within and external to the department
Broad understanding of maintenance, automation, and engineering functions and application of maintenance systems utilizing and continuous improvement approach to create efficient operations
Knowledge of qualification and validation systems, including test protocols, execution, and reports
Broad understanding of chemical hazards and hazard evaluation
Proficient in various computer skills, in the areas of Microsoft Office Products – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams; statistical analysis programs; and chemical engineering simulation software
Ability to generate and implement novel ideas and methods to meet both site and project needs
Ability to analyze situations and anticipate impact of decisions
Demonstrated ability to interact with management in developing project objectives and site strategies; and advise management regarding technical opportunities and advances
Demonstrated communication skills (presentation, persuasion, written, oral) across all levels of the organization. Prepares clear and well-organized reports and presentations for audiences including upper management and outside of the site
Thorough working knowledge and application of QSHE Regulatory Compliance principles related to chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing, including FDA, cGMPs, EPA, OSHA, and PSM requirements
A working knowledge of business and finance; basic accounting and financial principles as they apply to chemical process development; demonstrates vision of future business direction and needs; and drives results which have major economic impact on the site’s profitability

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in Pharmaceuticals or GMP environment is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversees site utility supply and cost performance—including electricity, gas, water, and nitrogen—through effective budgeting, forecasting, contract management, and continuous cost‑reduction initiatives. Drives energy‑conservation and waste‑minimization programs to reduce utility consumption and annual spend
Directs the reliable production and distribution of site utilities, including steam, cooling tower water, low‑temperature cooling, compressed air, nitrogen, and purified water systems, ensuring consistent support for manufacturing and facility operations
Leads maintenance, upgrades, and modifications for all plant systems, including chemical processing equipment, buildings, HVAC systems, air supply and exhaust systems, offices, internal spaces, and common areas to maintain operational readiness and compliance
Ensures compliant operation of facilities in accordance with GMP, safety, environmental, and regulatory standards. Oversees building infrastructure, utilities, environmental monitoring, and facility state of control. Supports audits, inspections, and CAPA closure
Manages all Instrumentation & Electrical (I&E) Systems, overseeing installation, commissioning, upgrades, calibration programs, compliance, and ongoing maintenance to ensure system integrity and safety
Maintains comprehensive asset data, including equipment specifications, maintenance documentation, and full lifecycle histories to support decision‑making, reliability programs, and regulatory compliance
Provides strong people leadership, developing a high‑performing team through coaching, performance assessment, skill development, and effective cross-team collaboration
Owns and manages departmental budgets across Maintenance, I&E, Facilities, Automation, and Utility operations. Monitors financial performance and ensures alignment with annual budget targets
Supports SHE (Safety, Health, & Environment) compliance, partnering with the SHE Team on contractor safety programs, site certifications, and permitting activities
Partners with Operations, Engineering, and Quality to ensure facility readiness for production. Serves as SME for maintenance, facilities, and automation during planning, tech transfers, and process improvements
Direct preventive and corrective maintenance for facility systems, utilities, HVAC, electrical, calibration assets, and GMP equipment. Ensures maintenance work meets timelines, documentation standards, and operational needs. Establishes and tracks KPIs to drive reliability and continuous improvement. Manages spare parts, vendor coordination, and resource allocation
Reviews and supports execution of capital projects across Utilities, Maintenance, Facilities, and I&E Systems. Ensures projects meet quality expectations, serviceability requirements, cost targets, and schedule commitments
Leads the MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations) Program, including strategic purchasing, inventory management, critical spare parts planning, vendor negotiations, and cost optimization
Serves as designated deputy to the Site Security Officer during absences, supporting continuity of Site Security operations when required
Leads development and execution of the site’s automation strategy, ensuring alignment with long‑term business objectives, operational excellence goals, and technology standardization across the plant
Leads the evaluation, selection, and deployment of advanced automation technologies (robotics, MES, DeltaV, PAT, historian solutions, reporting, etc.) to improve efficiency, quality, safety, and agility

Benefits

401(k) matching - Corden Pharma will contribute 100% of the first 6% - 100% vested after 2 years of service
Accident Plan
Critical Illness Insurance
Dental Insurance
Disability Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Account
Health Insurance PPO/HSA
Hospital Indemnity Plan
ID Theft Protection
Life Insurance
Paid Parental Leave
Tuition Reimbursement
Wellness Program
Vacation – Three Weeks 1st Year
Vision Insurance