Associate Director, Plant (Black) Utilities (m/w/d) (80-100%)

Location: Basel, Switzerland; approximately 20% travel required

Company

hirify.global is a life sciences manufacturing company with more than 30 sites across five continents, producing medicines and supporting customer therapies.

What you will do

• Own global Plant Utilities standards, specifications and reference designs covering thermal systems, cooling, technical gases and vacuum, water, wastewater, heat and energy recovery, and utility monitoring.
• Define technical boundaries and interfaces with Clean Utilities, HVAC, Electrical, Automation, EHS and other engineering disciplines; support deviations and escalate capacity, reliability, compliance and ownership risks.
• Lead technical assurance for CAPEX projects and infrastructure investments, including utility balances, capacities, tie-ins, resilience, expansion requirements and lifecycle-efficient alternatives.
• Define commissioning, performance testing and technical handover requirements and support sites and projects in demonstrating approved design and performance compliance.
• Support utility master plans, infrastructure renewal strategies, investment priorities, reliability principles and systemic root-cause investigations.
• Lead the global Plant Utilities technical network, driving standardization, knowledge sharing, capability development and cross-site adoption of engineering practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Process Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience in Plant Utility design, commissioning and operational support in complex manufacturing environments.
• Experience with CAPEX delivery, infrastructure planning, reliability and lifecycle-cost improvement.
• Senior technical leadership and influence across sites and multidisciplinary teams without line authority.
• Broad expertise in Plant Utilities (Black Utilities), including thermal systems, central cooling, technical gases and vacuum, non-compendial water, wastewater, heat and energy recovery, and utility monitoring.
• Ability to apply relevant engineering standards, codes and regulatory requirements, including applicable EN, ISO, SIA and ASHRAE standards and local requirements.
• Ability to evaluate utility generation, distribution and recovery concepts and translate technical risks, alternatives and investment options into recommendations for site, project and senior leadership.
• Ability to provide technical governance and expert support while recognizing site accountability for utility operation, maintenance, local performance and implementation.
• Fluent English and willingness to travel approximately 20%.

Nice to have

• Energy management certification.

Culture & Benefits

• Agile career opportunities and a dynamic work culture.
• Inclusive and ethical workplace with a focus on diversity.
• Compensation programs recognizing high performance.
• Competitive salary with lifestyle, family and leisure benefits.
• Relocation support for eligible candidates.
• Values centered on Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity.