Fire Protection Project Manager

Panda International; Oberwallis; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Panda International seeks an experienced Project Manager to lead the fire protection scope of capital projects at a pharmaceutical manufacturing site in Visp. The role is 100% on-site, overseeing fire protection systems, contractors, and stakeholders from concept through to commissioning and handover.

The ideal candidate has a mechanical/chemical engineering background, 5–10 years in pharma/industrial manufacturing, and strong leadership in commissioning, testing, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical, Process, Chemical, or related engineering discipline.
• 5–10 years of engineering or project execution experience in pharma, biotech, chemical, or industrial manufacturing.
• Extensive hands-on experience with fire protection systems and VKF/SES regulations.
• Strong contractor and stakeholder management.
• Experience with commissioning and integrated testing.
• Business fluent German; English/French a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement fire protection concepts and requirements for capital projects.
• Coordinate with architects, engineering partners, fire protection specialists, project teams, and the site fire brigade.
• Lead technical oversight of sprinkler, deluge, and dry extinguishing systems, firewater networks, and firewater retention.
• Manage contractors and vendors delivering fire protection installations.
• Deliver projects on cost, schedule, quality, and compliance.
• Take part in 3D design reviews and multidisciplinary clash resolution.
• Oversee commissioning, functional testing, acceptance, and integrated system tests.
• Collect and hand over as-built documentation to operations and end users.
• Support wider CAPEX engineering activities as required.

Skills

German language proficiency

Stakeholder management

Contractor management

Fire protection systems

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Education

Engineering degree (Mechanical/Process/Chemical)

Job description

Language: Business fluent German (English basic to intermediate, French a plus)

Description

The Project Manager will lead the fire protection scope of capital projects at a pharmaceutical manufacturing site in Visp, from concept and design through to commissioning and handover. The role is 100% on-site and involves technical oversight of fire protection systems and management of contractors, vendors and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement fire protection concepts and requirements for capital projects.
• Coordinate with architects, engineering partners, fire protection specialists, project teams, and the site fire brigade.
• Lead technical oversight of sprinkler, deluge, and dry extinguishing systems, firewater networks, and firewater retention.
• Manage contractors and vendors delivering fire protection installations.
• Deliver projects on cost, schedule, quality, and compliance.
• Take part in 3D design reviews and multidisciplinary clash resolution.
• Oversee commissioning, functional testing, acceptance, and integrated system tests.
• Collect and hand over as-built documentation to operations and end users.
• Support wider CAPEX engineering activities as required.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical, Process, Chemical, or a related engineering discipline.
• Extensive hands-on experience with fire protection systems and regulations (VKF, SES).
• 5 to 10 years of engineering or project execution experience in pharma, biotech, chemical, or industrial manufacturing.
• Experience with commissioning and integrated testing.
• Strong contractor and stakeholder management.
• Understanding of fire risk assessment and wet versus dry suppression selection.
• Business fluent German.

Preferred Requirements

• GMP and cleanroom experience.
• English at intermediate level and French.