Engineering & Maintenance Manager

UNAVAILABLE; Cork; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Hovione is seeking an Engineering & Maintenance Manager to supervise maintenance operations, lead technical teams, and ensure reliable site equipment and utilities. You will drive continuous improvement, support site growth, and uphold safety, quality, and GMP standards.

The role requires 7–10 years of engineering/maintenance leadership in a manufacturing setting, with experience managing contractors and CMMS/SAP systems, and fluent English communication.

Qualifications

• Degree in mechanical/ electrical/ automation or related technical discipline.
• 7–10 years of experience in engineering and maintenance in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supervising maintenance teams, contractors, or technical personnel.
• Strong experience in preventive and corrective maintenance of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and automation systems.
• Experience with maintenance management systems (SAP or CMMS) preferred.
• Experience managing outsourced contractors and service providers.
• Experience in GMP-regulated industries is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Supervise maintenance operations and lead technical teams and contractors.
• Drive preventive, corrective, calibration, and maintenance activities across systems.
• Develop and implement maintenance plans and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, EHS, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead safety, quality and operational excellence culture across the site.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

Problem solving

Decision making

Continuous improvement

Fluent English

Education

Degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Automation or related

Tools

SAP CMMS

CMMS tooling

Job description

Join a Market Leader

About Hovione

At Hovione, we help partners turn scientific innovation into medicines that reach patients around the world. For more than 65 years, we have connected science, technology, and manufacturing to scale complex ideas into high-quality and innovative solutions that truly make a difference.

As an international Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), we support the development and manufacture of drug substances, intermediates, and drug products across the full life cycle. We are globally recognized for our leadership in specialized technologies such as Spray Drying and Continuous Tableting. But what truly sets us apart is not just what we do — it is how we do it: with purpose, care, collaboration, and a deep commitment to doing the right things right.

Our people are the reason for our success. We are a global and diverse team of more than 2,600 team members across Europe, the USA, and Asia, bringing together different experiences and perspectives to help our partners to overcome complex challenges. We believe that an inclusive environment — where everyone, regardless of background, identity or ability, is respected, heard and empowered to contribute — is essential to drive innovation, ensure quality, and secure long‑term sustainable success.

And as we grow, so do the opportunities for our people to develop, broaden their perspectives, and build meaningful careers. Because at Hovione, better starts with those who choose to make a difference every day. Will you be one of them?

You will be responsible to:

As Engineering & Maintenance Manager, you will be responsible for supervising maintenance operations, leading technical teams and contractors, and ensuring the reliable performance of site equipment and utilities. You will drive continuous improvement initiatives, support site growth, and foster a culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Maintenance & Technical Leadership

• Supervise the timely execution of preventive, corrective, and calibration activities across mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and utility systems.
• Ensure rapid response to equipment breakdowns while delivering effective and cost-efficient technical solutions.
• Support troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, calibration, and servicing of manufacturing and utility equipment.
• Manage maintenance plans and contribute to their continuous improvement.
• Review and support local engineering projects, including evaluation of technical drawings and specifications.
• Maintain accurate maintenance and calibration records in line with GMP requirements.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop maintenance technicians and contractors.
• Allocate daily work activities and ensure resources are effectively utilized.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, and succession planning activities.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous learning.
• Ensure team objectives are aligned with site goals and business priorities.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive Lean and Operational Excellence initiatives including TPM, 5S, Top 5, problem-solving, and root cause investigations.
• Encourage and implement ideas that improve reliability, productivity, efficiency, and cost performance.
• Collaborate with Operations and Engineering teams to optimize equipment performance and maintenance strategies.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure all maintenance activities are carried out in compliance with GMP, EHS, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in audits, inspections, deviation investigations, and corrective action implementation.
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to all site policies and procedures.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping and workplace organization.

We are looking to recruit a Candidate:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation, Chemical Engineering, Maintenance Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Technical qualifications in maintenance disciplines will also be considered when combined with relevant experience.
• 7-10 years of experience in Engineering and Maintenance within a manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience supervising maintenance teams, contractors, or technical personnel.
• Strong experience in preventive and corrective maintenance of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and automation systems.
• Experience with maintenance management systems (SAP or equivalent CMMS preferred).
• Experience managing outsourced contractors and service providers.
• Experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, food, chemical, or other GMP-regulated industries is highly desirable.
• Proven experience leading troubleshooting, root cause investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills & Behaviours

• Strong leadership and people management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proactive and hands-on problem solver.
• Ability to make decisions and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on operational excellence.
• Resilient, adaptable, and results-oriented.
• Fluent English communication skills.

Hovione is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer

Inclusion and diversity are key to us. We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. If you require any reasonable accommodation or support during the application or interview process, please contact us, and we will be happy to assist.

Notice to Agencies and Search Firms Representatives

Hovione does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies or search firms for this job posting. Any resumes submitted to Hovione by a third-party agency or search firm without a valid written and signed search agreement will become the sole property of Hovione. No fees will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited referral.