Labs & Manufacturing IT Engineer

ConvaTec Inc; Shotton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A global medical products company in Shotton is seeking a Labs & Manufacturing IT Engineer to oversee IT operational activities in manufacturing and R&D environments. The role requires IT support for validated applications, compliance with regulatory standards, and effective communication with vendors and internal teams. Ideal candidates will have 5-10 years of IT experience and a strong understanding of manufacturing operations within regulated environments.

Benefits

Hybrid work environment

Training and development opportunities

Health benefits

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of overall IT experience.
• Minimum 2 years working with validated systems.
• Experience in IT project management.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-site technical support for validated applications.
• Support incident management for critical systems.
• Drive adoption of new systems and technologies.

Skills

Technical proficiency in troubleshooting software

Communication skills

Analytical and problem-solving abilities

Vendor coordination

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Certifications like ITIL or PMP

Tools

ITIL

MES/LIMS systems

Job description

The Labs & Manufacturing IT Engineer is responsible for the day to day IT Operational activities within the Manufacturing and R&D environments, by providing on-site technical specialized support, monitoring critical production systems and applications, and maintaining critical inventory to comply with GxP and regulatory standards.

• Key responsibilities and authority
• Operation's Handling:
  • Understands the specific technology needs and challenges within their Manufacturing Operations processes - aligning IT services accordingly.
  • Provide on-site technical support for validated applications used in critical Manufacturing processes, ensuring alignment with ITQA, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs teams and compliance with regulatory requirements such as FDA, EMA, and GxP standards.
  • Ensure ITOperations monitors critical Manufacturing Production Systems and Applications, to ensure they remain operational and coordinate regular maintenance windows to minimize downtime.
  • Maintain critical manufacturing inventory asset data, to ensure that accurate reporting can be provided to support, incidents, audits and projects.
  • Acts as the liaison between Manufacturing Operations Leadership, Departments (including Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality Assurance), Employees, Vendors, IT On-site support and Global IT Hubs.
  • Drive adoption of new and existing systems to ensure business change / value is delivered.
  • Educate the wider IT teams on the needs and complexity of their Manufacturing Operations processes.
  • Stay up-to-date with Manufacturing Operations industry trends and best practices for application support and technologies.
• Major Incidents:
  • Supports the incident management team on P1 & P2 incidents, which impact Manufacturing Operations; ensuring that the relevant Business Unit/IT Teams/Vendors are engaged to support and reduce downtime arising from incidents.
  • Troubleshoot equipment failures or malfunctions on the factory floor, including in-process test equipment, ruggedized devices, industrial PCs, and machinery interfaces.
• Business Continuity:
  • Create and maintain documentation, including knowledge articles for common issues, incident resolution, best practices for factory-specific IT support, user guides and FAQ's.
  • Participate in the testing and deployment of software updates and patches.
  • Drive Manufacturing Excellence; for example, leading Business Continuity Planning and continuous-improvement activities.
  • Oversee and contribute to the management of projects originating from Global IT; providing facilitation and project 'brokerage' to ensure smooth delivery/implementation.
• Dotted line to Global manufacturing:
  • Collaborate with departmental leaders to identify opportunities for process improvements and innovation through technology, feeding ideas generated through to the GQO & R&D IT Business Partners.
  • Contribute to the demand management process by performing hands‑on data gathering for alignment of ideation through to the GQO BP and overall GQO/R&D strategies.
• Vendor Coordination:
  • Coordinate the vendor relationships for specialized systems, ensuring contract compliance and SLA fulfillment.
  • Oversee vendor‑led upgrades, patches, and maintenance to minimize disruptions to business operations.
  • Contribute to projects involving system implementations, migrations, or upgrades at manufacturing and lab sites.
  • Participate with cross‑functional teams, including Regional IT Leads, on‑site support technicians, and external vendors, to ensure successful project delivery.
  • Position may involve up to 5% travel, including visits to manufacturing and lab sites within the region and occasional international trips for project‑related activities.
• Working conditions
  • Work environment is hybrid, combining remote work with office work.
  • Some on‑call availability may be required to address critical system issues.
• Special factors
  • Flexibility to work in highly regulated environments with strict compliance and validation requirements.
  • Ability to adapt to regional or business unit‑specific IT challenges.
  • Our products make a big difference every day. So will your contribution. The work you do will mean more, because it'll make things better for your team, our business or our customers' lives. It'll inspire you to deliver to your very best. And we'll be right behind you when you do.
  • Fluency in English.
  • 5-10 years of overall IT experience.
  • Minimum 2 years working with validated systems.
  • Proven excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience of Manufacturing Operations, ideally within MedTech or Pharmaceuticals.
  • Strong technical proficiency in troubleshooting software issues and providing solutions.
  • Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
  • Experience working directly with internal and external customers, technical experts, and professional staff.
  • Previous experience in IT project management, with a demonstrated ability to effectively lead successful implementation of IT systems.
  • Experience in producing documentation and business requirement documentation.
  • Ability to develop and report metrics and KPIs.
  • Ability to present complex data and analyses to senior management.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with external and internal stakeholders.
  • Understanding/certification of ITIL and experience of implementing these standards.
  • Understanding/certification of BRMP and experience of implementing these standards.
  • Consultative and continuous‑improvement focus.
  • Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks in a fast‑paced environment.
  • Familiarity with change control processes and documentation practices in regulated industries.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate with business and technical stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex IT systems in manufacturing or lab environments.
  • Analytical thinking with a problem‑solving mindset to address technical challenges.
  • Familiarity with regulatory compliance in a Medtech or similarly regulated environment (e.g., GxP, FDA, ISO).
• Education / Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
  • Relevant certifications (e.g., ITIL, PMP, or certifications specific to MES/LIMS systems) are preferred.
  • Advanced understanding of validated systems and regulatory compliance (e.g., FDA 21 CFR Part 11).
• Convatec

  Pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch: Convatec is a global medical products and technologies company, focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, with leading positions in Advanced Wound Care, Ostomy Care, Continence Care, and Infusion Care. With more than 10,000 colleagues, we provide our products and services in around 90 countries, united by a promise to be forever caring. Our solutions provide a range of benefits, from infection prevention and protection of at-risk skin, to improved patient outcomes and reduced care costs. Convatec's revenues in 2024 were over $2 billion. The company is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index (LSE:CTEC). To learn more please visit www.convatecgroup.com.

  Convatec has announced a major milestone in our R&D journey and commitment to our vision of pioneering trusted medical solutions to improve the lives we touch. We have unveiled plans to relocate the majority of our UK-based research and development (R&D) activities from Deeside to Manchester from 2027, alongside a significant expansion of our facilities in Boston.

  The new, planned Manchester facility has the potential to be a major R&D hub in our global network which will initially function as the company's global testing laboratories, with cutting‑edge analytical R&D capabilities including quality control and materials, regulatory functions, and health innovation, positioning Convatec at the forefront of medical technology development. Our new state‑of‑the‑art facilities will also strengthen our collaboration with Manchester's vibrant life sciences ecosystem, which includes leading universities, hospitals, and research institutions.