API Maintenance Lead

MSD; Ireland; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD at Ballydine, Co. Tipperary, is seeking an API Maintenance Lead (Assoc. Dir) to oversee maintenance for the API IPT and equipment. You will lead a high-performing team focused on talent development, capability building and growth mindset, delivering high asset uptime and compliant operations.

The role covers PM/CM planning and execution, deviation investigations, and budget stewardship, with responsibility for capital input, cost management, and site-wide engineering governance.

Qualifications

• Experience in planning and scheduling PM/CM for facilities and equipment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Operational Excellence & Asset Reliability.
• Knowledge of Safety & Environmental legislation.
• Minimum 5 years in engineering or maintenance environments.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and schedule all PM & CM activities for facilities and equipment.
• Execute and close-out maintenance work.
• Develop/optimise PM program for equipment.
• Investigate and close PM deviations and equipment-related deviations.
• Manage Engineering expenses (routine & non-routine).
• Input into the site capital plan.
• Interface for API IPT projects’ maintenance (planning & coordination).
• Support shutdown planning and coordination.
• Ensure compliance with cGMP and safety regulations; drive asset uptime.

Skills

Capital Projects

Cost Management

Maintenance Planning

GMP Operations

Leadership

Regulatory Issues

Talent Development

Teamwork

Safety Regulations

Asset Reliability

Education

Honours Degree in Engineering

Tools

Maintenance Planning Software

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an API Maintenance Lead (Assoc. Dir) for our site in Ballydine, Co. Tipperary, with responsibility for all maintenance related activities for the API IPT and its equipment. You will lead a high performing maintenance team that is focused on talent development, capability build and growth mindsets. The successful candidate will ensure effective maintenance planning & scheduling to deliver high asset availability, meet compliance expectations and effective cost management.

Ballydine is the primary Drug Substance commercialisation hub within the network, where new processes are scaled and transitioned to commercial manufacture. The site supports clinical and commercial API supply and the transfer of processes and technologies across internal manufacturing sites and external partners.

Role Profile

• Planning and scheduling of all planned maintenance work activities (PM & CM) for facilities and equipment to achieve optimum levels of maintenance planning.
• Execution and close-out of all maintenance activities
• PM program development / optimisation for equipment.
• Investigation and closure of all PM deviations and equipment related deviations.
• Management of Engineering expense expenditure (routine & non-routine).
• Maintenance input into the site capital plan.
• Maintenance interface for all API IPT projects executed by the Site Projects Group (priority, scope, design/safety reviews, acceptance etc.).
• Maintenance input into shutdown planning process and subsequent coordination.
• Subject matter expertise on assigned equipment systems.
• Accountable for delivering high asset uptime through effective maintenance while also meeting PM/Calibration compliance requirements. Reports Engineering metrics and any action plans to address gaps.
• Working with the Reliability and Systems Lead drive continuous improvement through Model Area and digital solutions. Leverage MPS tools i.e. Model Area, Kata, 8 step problem solving & 5S.
• Responsible for ensuring that there are sufficient and effective resources available from within the group to meet business needs and is accountable for managing maintenance labour cost and repairs & spares spend.
• Accountable for ensuring that API asset management is performed in compliance with cGMP, Environmental, Labour, Industrial Health, and Safety regulations. The API Maintenance Lead is the topic owner for PM/Calibration.
• Responsible for ensuring all compliance related deviations are investigated and addressed in a timely manner.
• Prepares the Maintenance budget to support the API IPT. Monitors performance against budget targets and manages performance within profit plan. Responsible for the financial governance of Maintenance executed capital projects.
• Member of the Engineering Leadership Team to provide governance of the overall site Engineering Standards. Undertakes other activities, as directed by the Engineering Lead (e.g. site cross‑functional teams etc).

Your profile

• Honours Degree in Engineering, Science, or equivalent post trade qualification & experience
• Broad Multi-Functional Experience
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in an engineering or maintenance environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of Operational Excellence & Asset Reliability Principles
• Good knowledge of Safety & Environmental legislation
• Strong Unit Operation and Plant Equipment knowledge

Leadership & Organisation Skills

• Focused on diversity and inclusion.
• Fosters a growth mindset.
• Focused on capability build i.e. MPS & technical.
• Fosters Teamwork & Collaboration
• Results-Oriented
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Demonstrated ability in Planning and Scheduling
• Structured problem solving
• Focused on customer service
• Conflict resolution
• Judgement and Decision Making
• Promotes good Work/Life balance.

We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world’s most challenging healthcare needs. We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing talented and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when ideas come together in an inclusive environment.

Required Skills:

Capital Projects, Capital Projects, Cost Management, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Driving Continuous Improvement, Engineering Leadership, Engineering Principle, Engineering Standards, Estimation and Planning, Facilities Construction, GMP Operations, Health Safety Regulations, Interpersonal Relationships, Maintenance Management, Maintenance Planning, Maintenance Planning Software, Manufacturing Quality Control, Manufacturing Scale-Up, Mentoring Staff, People Leadership, Regulatory Issues, Talent Development, Talent Management, Teamwork, Technical Calculations {+ 2 more}

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Employee Status: Regular

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Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

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Job Posting End Date: 09/29/2026*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.