Associate Director, Maintenance

Lonza•Walkersville, MD

1d•$174,000 - $203,000•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Associate Director, Maintenance to lead maintenance, utilities, and facility operations at our Walkersville manufacturing site. This role is responsible for ensuring the reliable and efficient operation of critical systems, managing internal teams and external service providers, and driving continuous improvement across asset performance and facility operations. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership experience, technical expertise in biopharmaceutical manufacturing environments, and the ability to optimize performance through data-driven decision-making and cross-functional collaboration.

Requirements

Minimum of 10 years of experience managing maintenance, utilities, or facilities within a pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated manufacturing environment
Proven leadership experience managing cross-functional teams, including maintenance, utilities, and reliability engineering personnel
Strong technical knowledge of facility systems, including HVAC, GMP utilities, and biologics manufacturing operations
Experience managing vendor relationships and outsourced service providers, including performance monitoring and contract management
Solid understanding of reliability engineering principles, continuous improvement methodologies, and asset management programs
Proficiency with CMMS systems (SAP preferred) and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office tools
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and drive execution
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels and translate technical concepts into clear business insights

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee maintenance, utilities, calibration, and reliability functions to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant site operations
Manage the Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) vendor, including contract performance, KPIs, service delivery, and budget oversight
Ensure reliable operation of plant utilities and systems, including HVAC, WFI, steam, compressed air, process gases, and manufacturing equipment
Develop and manage annual operating budgets, forecasts, and capital planning related to facilities and maintenance activities
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on asset reliability, maintenance effectiveness, and overall equipment efficiency (OEE)
Support capital projects, facility expansions, and equipment installations, including planning, execution, and stakeholder coordination
Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate maintenance performance, work order execution, and resource utilization
Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and support audits, inspections, deviations, and CAPA activities