Site Automation Leader

Novartis; Schweiz; Hybrid; EUR 82.000 - 152.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Novartis is seeking a Site Automation Leader in Schaftenau, Austria, hybrid work model with 12 days/month in office. You will lead automation engineering across drug product manufacturing, driving digital transformation, and ensuring compliant operations.

You will manage a team of automation professionals, develop strategic roadmaps, and collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, ITOT, and external partners to deliver reliable automation solutions and continuous improvements within GMP

Qualifikationen

• 10+ years of experience in OT Automation, Industrial Automation, Manufacturing Systems, or Digital Manufacturing within a regulated industry.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience, managing automation engineers, technicians, project teams, and external partners.
• Strong expertise in PLC, SCADA, HMI, industrial networks, and OT infrastructure with the ability to ensure reliable and compliant operations.

Aufgaben

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Senior Automation Engineers, Automation Engineers, and Automation Technicians supporting Drug Product manufacturing operations.
• Drive talent management activities including workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, succession planning, and career development.
• Define and execute the site automation strategy and technology roadmap, ensure standardization, lifecycle management, and modernization of automation platforms.

Kenntnisse

OT Automation

People leadership

PLC/SCADA/HMI

Data-driven manufacturing

Stakeholder management

German & English fluency

Tools

Power BI

MES

Jobbeschreibung

Salary Range: €81,600.00 - €151,500.00

Job Description Summary

Location: Schaftenau, Austria

#LI-HYBRID 12 days/month in office

Internal job title: Site Automation Leader

About the role

The Site Automation Leader is accountable for leading the Automation Engineering organization across Drug Product manufacturing operations, ensuring the reliable, compliant, and efficient operation of automation systems supporting Compounding, Filling, Inspection, Assembly & Packaging. The role combines strategic leadership, operational excellence, digital transformation, and people management to develop a high-performing automation organization aligned with site and business objectives.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop a team of Senior Automation Engineers, Automation Engineers, and Automation Technicians supporting Drug Product manufacturing operations, and drive talent management activities including workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, succession planning, and career development.

Serve as the key leader and escalation point for automation resources across the site, and promote cross-functional teamwork between Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Validation, Supply Chain, ITOT, and external partners.

Automation Strategy & Technical Leadership: Define and execute the site automation strategy and technology roadmap, ensure standardization, lifecycle management, and continuous modernization of automation platforms, and drive implementation of industry best practices, digital manufacturing technologies, and smart factory initiatives.

Manufacturing & Operational Excellence: Ensure high availability and reliability of automation systems supporting manufacturing operations, lead root cause investigations and resolution of critical automation incidents, drive improvements in OEE, equipment reliability, production throughput, and process robustness.

Capital Projects & Innovation: Lead automation engineering resources in capital investment projects and strategic business initiatives, oversee implementation of new technologies, automation upgrades, and manufacturing system enhancements; Drive Robotics, AI, and Vertical Integration initiatives supporting the transformational initiatives.

Compliance & Quality: Ensure all automation systems remain inspection-ready and compliant with GMP, Data Integrity, and cybersecurity requirements; Lead automation-related deviations, CAPAs, change controls, audits, and validation activities.

Direct leadership responsibility for the Site Automation organization supporting Drug Production operations, and act as a key member of the Site Engineering and ITOT leadership community, being responsible for organizational capability, talent pipeline, resource allocation, budget utilization, and delivery of automation services. Influence site-wide digital transformation priorities and manufacturing technology strategy.

Essential Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in OT Automation, Industrial Automation, Manufacturing Systems, or Digital Manufacturing within a regulated industry
• 5+ years of people leadership experience, managing automation engineers, technicians, project teams, and external partners.
• Strong expertise in PLC, SCADA, HMI, industrial networks, and OT infrastructure with the ability to ensure reliable and compliant operations.
• Hands-on experience with MES, Electronic Batch Records, Review by Exception (RbE), and Vertical Integration across manufacturing systems.
• Proven experience delivering automation and digital transformation programs, including capital projects and Smart Factory initiatives.
• Strong understanding of AI, advanced analytics, and data-driven manufacturing, including Power BI, manufacturing data platforms, and AI-enabled use cases.
• Deep knowledge of GMP/GxP, Computer System Validation (CSV), Data Integrity, and Quality Risk Management in pharmaceutical manufacturing environments.
• Ability to define and execute a multi-year Site Automation Strategy, aligning Robotics, Process Automation, AI, and Operational Excellence initiatives with business objectives.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with demonstrated success influencing senior leaders, driving organizational change, and developing high-performing teams
• Fluency in German and English

Desirable requirements

• Knowledge of Robotics, AGVs/AMRs, machine vision, and advanced manufacturing technologies to support autonomous operations.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Why Novartis?

Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions. Be a part of this mission