Head of Process Engineering

Head of Process Engineering

Location: Frankfurt, Germany.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensures the delivery of consistent, high quality engineering deliverables via reviews in the respective region.
• Team succession planning and the management, development and mentorship of young professionals.
• Supports business development with technical support, proposal generation and man‑hour estimates.
• Understands project requirements to apply appropriate resources and execution approach to support successful project delivery.
• Supports strategic company initiatives.
• Develops and maintains smart and appropriate systems and procedures to ensure consistent ways of working.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Co-ordinates with project managers and other discipline leads to determine project scope, cost, complexity and planning and scheduling requirements of projects.
• Develops project execution plans (budget, milestones, deliverables and resource plans) to help deliver projects on time, on budget and of the highest quality.
• Assigns appropriate skilled personnel to provide cost‑effective engineering and technical support.
• Defines an appropriate cost‑effective workflow process and level of design detail to achieve project goals.
• Estimates work hours to generate project deliverables and support the design team.
• Assists clients in strategic evaluations to develop concepts supported by engineering studies for expanding, improving or automating existing facilities.
• Oversees the development of design deliverables, such as but not limited to:
• Scope of works for process, utilities and manufacturing controls
• Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs)
• Material and Energy Balances
• Utility requirements
• P&IDs
• Control strategies
• Equipment specifications
• Process Safety assessments and calculations
• Automation specifications and schedules
• Instrument schedules and specifications
• Makes use of and participates in the development of company design tools including process simulation software, fluid flow software, process safety software, smart P&IDs and 3D Modelling (AutoCAD, Plant 3D, SuperPro, PEL, Pipeflow, PHA‑PRO etc.).
• Establishes and maintains excellent working relationships with clients and members of the IPS team.
• Ensures the quality, accuracy, consistency, timeliness and completeness of overall work to process engineering principles, compliance with established IPS standards, procedures, codes and ordinances; adherence to project schedules; and provides adequate training, technical and administrative guidance and instruction to personnel within the discipline.
• Develops a process department development plan in concert with overall company planning efforts involving technical/regulatory activities required to achieve long‑range and annual goals and objectives.
• Performs various HR functions that involve recruiting, performance appraisal, salary position recommendations and employee development.
• Plans and schedules work for the discipline ensuring the proper and effective distribution of assignments and manpower, space and facilities for subsequent performance of duties.
• Liaison for multi‑office work sharing and outsourcing to consultants. This role will require an interface with counterparts in other operations to share resources, to maximize utilisation and also to align working practices.
• Evaluates and initiates the necessary training of the Process Discipline to ensure pertinent technical competence, acceptable social/communication skills and personal development of leadership.
• Determines skills, resources and budget needs of the Discipline.
• Develops discipline policies, technical standards and procedures. Assists in the development and coordination of global, regional, office and inter‑departmental policies, procedures and standards.
• Regularly reviews productivity/quality reports to ensure top performance.
• Participates in business development by seeking out new projects with existing or new clients.
• Contributes to the preparation and delivery of sales presentations and proposals.
• Liaises with Directors of Design and Engineering to support the technical compliance and development of IPS Process Engineering worldwide.
• Acts as a mentor for young professionals and those engineers working towards chartership status.
• Develops the Process department ensuring on‑going personal development needs are identified, and that the team has the correct mix of staff and contract resources.
• Manages the team within the utilisation targets set by the annual budget.
• Ensures compliance with IPS and/or client procedures, organise appropriate reviews (including peer reviews) and approve deliverables for issue.
• Ensures that all projects comply with applicable local, international and client codes and standards.
• Special projects as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Ideally, the candidate will have a minimum of 10 years’ process design and operations experience in pharmaceutical facilities, which could include the following drug products:
• Biologics
• Vaccines
• API (organic synthesis)
• Oral Solid Dose (OSD)
• Parenteral (Aseptic)
• Cell Gene Therapy (CGT)
• Competency in the implementation of cGMP regulations.
• A suitable degree level qualification of related discipline, or equivalent experience, including Chartered Engineer status.
• Progressive ability, capacity and aptitude in administration to plan, organise, supervise and coordinate technical work and to obtain cooperation from others in a multi‑discipline engineering environment.
• Analytical thinking, structured problem solving skills, team building and strong work ethic.
• Ability to work flexibly and cooperatively as part of a fluid, developing team to target business growth and high quality projects.
• A strong ethical approach to safety, quality, environmental protection and business.
• Experience of technical leadership and mentoring.
• An excellent commercial awareness and business acumen with the ability to manage engineering delivery including man‑hours and commercial targets.
• Excellent organisational skills with an ability to produce quality work and achieve project deadlines within budget.
• Self‑driven, results‑oriented with a positive outlook, and a clear focus on high quality and business services.
• Professional approach and demeanour.
• Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively with clients and peers at all levels.
• Flexibility to travel both inside and outside the respective country.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at IPS without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, veteran, marital, or citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. IPS is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.