API Maintenance Lead

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

Job summary

MSD in Ballydine, Co. Tipperary, is seeking an API Maintenance Lead (Assoc. Dir) to lead a high‑performing team responsible for all maintenance activities across the API IPT and its equipment.

You will drive maintenance planning, scheduling, budgeting and continuous improvement to maximise asset uptime while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and safety practices.

Qualifications

• Honours degree in engineering or equivalent; post‑trade experience preferred.
• Experience in maintenance planning, scheduling and budgeting within a GMP environment.
• Strong leadership, communication and problem‑solving skills with a passion for continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Plan and schedule PM & CM for facilities and equipment to optimise maintenance.
• Lead execution and close-out of maintenance activities; optimise PM programs.
• Investigate and close PM and equipment deviations; manage engineering expenses.
• Contribute to site capital planning and maintenance budgeting; monitor spend.
• Coordinate with Site Projects Group for API IPT projects and shutdown planning.
• Ensure compliance with cGMP, safety and environmental regulations; drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Planning & Scheduling

Operations Excellence

Asset Reliability

Safety & Environment

Stakeholder Communication

Team Leadership

Budget Management

Education

Honours Degree in Engineering

Tools

Maintenance Planning Software

Job description

API Maintenance Lead (Assoc. Dir)

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.

So, if you are ready to: Invent solutions to meet unmet healthcare needs, Impact the future by driving one of the world’s leading healthcare companies, and inspire your team to reach their full potential and push the boundaries of science and technology,

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}

Employee Status: Regular Relocation: VISA Sponsorship: Travel Requirements: Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: Valid Driving License: Hazardous Material(s): 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.

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.