Head of Plant Engineering (Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing)

TL;DR

Head of Plant Engineering (Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing): Leading engineering operations across multiple manufacturing plants in Visp with an accent on maintenance strategy, utilities, capital investments, and operational excellence. Focus on managing multidisciplinary teams, delivering large-scale CAPEX projects from design through commissioning, and improving plant reliability, availability, and cost efficiency.

Location: Onsite in Visp, Switzerland; relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates and their families.

Company

A global life sciences organization operating manufacturing sites across five continents to help produce medicines and transform biopharmaceutical ideas into viable therapies.

What you will do

• Lead engineering activities across multiple manufacturing plants and technologies.
• Manage supervisors, engineers, and specialists, including hiring, coaching, development, performance, and resource planning.
• Act as engineering lead for capital investment projects, supporting facility design, construction, utilities, and commissioning.
• Define maintenance strategies, standards, and changeover concepts to improve plant reliability, availability, and cost efficiency.
• Manage engineering, maintenance, utilities, CAPEX, and operational budgets while driving innovation and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate communication and collaboration across manufacturing, quality, engineering, project, and management teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in mechanical, chemical, electrical engineering, automation, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in engineering and maintenance leadership, preferably in biopharmaceutical or highly regulated manufacturing.
• Experience leading engineering activities and large-scale CAPEX projects from design through commissioning.
• Strong knowledge of GMP requirements and engineering or maintenance systems such as COMOS and SAP.
• Proven ability to build, develop, and inspire high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Business-fluent English required; German is preferred.

Culture & Benefits

• Agile career opportunities and a dynamic working culture.
• Inclusive and ethical workplace with a strong focus on collaboration, accountability, excellence, passion, and integrity.
• Performance-oriented compensation programs and competitive salary.
• Lifestyle, family, and leisure benefits tailored to the Visp location.
• Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates and their families.