Maintenance Manager

Chiesi Group; Parma; On-site; EUR 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Private medical insurance

Wellbeing programme

Flexible benefits programme

Relocation support

Job summary

Chiesi Group in Parma seeks a hands-on Maintenance Director to lead the site's maintenance organization, ensuring reliable equipment, utilities, facilities, and infrastructure. You will drive maintenance excellence, manage budgets and contractors, and promote safety and continuous improvement.

The role reports to Operations leadership and collaborates with Engineering, Quality, and HSE to meet site objectives in a fast-paced pharmaceutical environment.

Qualifications

• At least 8 years in maintenance/engineering/technical ops in pharma manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the site Maintenance organization across production areas and resources.

Skills

Maintenance leadership

Pharma manufacturing

CMMS proficiency

Budget management

Regulatory compliance

Root cause analysis

Team development

Contractor management

Education

BSc Mechanical Eng

BSc Chemical Eng

Engineering degree

Tools

CMMS

Maintenance software

Job description

Global Technical Operations & Supply

Global Technical Operations & Supply (Global TechOp&S) is Chiesi’s global manufacturing and supply area, responsible for ensuring consistent, outstanding quality, service and value across our end‑to‑end supply chain. Global TechOp&S oversees the entire lifecycle of the drug: from process optimization and industrialization, to manufacturing, engineering, quality oversight, and supply chain management. Throughout this journey, Operational Excellence drives continuous improvement. This end‑to‑end model is powered by our four manufacturing sites - Parma (IT), Blois (FR), Santana de Parnaíba (BR), and Nerviano (IT) - together with our Virtual Plant network of external partners.

This is what you will do

Responsible for leading the site Maintenance organization, ensuring the reliability, availability, compliance, and cost‑effective management of production equipment, utilities, facilities, and infrastructure.

Drives maintenance excellence through effective management of people, processes, contractors, technical standards, and continuous improvement initiatives, while partnering closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, and HSE to support site performance and business objectives.

You will be responsible for

• Lead and manage the site Maintenance organization, ensuring the effective execution of maintenance activities across all production areas and the availability of appropriate resources, competencies, and organizational capabilities.
• Define, implement, and continuously improve the site maintenance strategy, standards, procedures, SOPs, technical instructions, and best practices in alignment with operational, engineering, quality, HSE, and business objectives.
• Plan, prioritize, coordinate, and oversee preventive, predictive, corrective, and shutdown maintenance activities, ensuring compliance with GMP requirements, engineering standards, statutory obligations, and site procedures.
• Provide leadership, coaching, performance management, and professional development to maintenance personnel and Maintenance Engineers, promoting a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Manage maintenance planning activities in close collaboration with Operations and Engineering, ensuring effective support to production needs, plant shutdowns, maintenance campaigns, and major maintenance interventions.
• Monitor maintenance performance through KPIs, data analysis, and maintenance effectiveness reviews, driving improvement actions to enhance equipment reliability, asset performance, and operational efficiency.
• Lead and support investigations related to equipment failures, recurring breakdowns, technical deviations, and operational issues, contributing to root cause analyses, risk assessments, CAPA implementation, and change control activities.
• Act as the primary maintenance interface with Operations, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Validation, HSE, Supply Chain, and other site functions to ensure alignment on maintenance priorities and site objectives.
• Manage maintenance budgets, expenditures, service contracts, technical agreements, contractors, and external service providers, ensuring safety, compliance, quality, cost effectiveness, and performance.
• Ensure the effective use and continuous improvement of the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), as well as the accuracy, completeness, and compliance of maintenance documentation and records.
• Support engineering projects, equipment installation, commissioning, qualification, startup, and handover activities, while contributing to asset lifecycle management and the definition of maintenance requirements and spare parts strategies.
• Support regulatory inspections, customer audits, and corporate assessments, promoting maintenance best practices, standardization, and knowledge sharing across the site.

You will need to have

• At least 8 years of experience in maintenance, engineering, or technical operations roles within pharmaceutical manufacturing environments
• Strong knowledge of maintenance management, reliability, asset lifecycle management, and maintenance methodologies.
• Proven experience in maintenance planning, strategy deployment, resource allocation, and operational execution.
• Experience collaborating with Operations, Engineering, Quality, Validation, and HSE functions in a regulated environment.
• Hands‑on experience in investigations, deviation management, CAPA implementation, change controls, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing maintenance budgets, contracts, vendors, and cost optimization activities.
• Proven experience using CMMS platforms and maintenance performance management systems.
• Knowledge of root cause analysis, problem‑solving methodologies, and continuous improvement tools.
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary maintenance teams, external contractors, and maintenance service providers.

We are looking for a hands‑on manager who can lead and develop a team, build effective relationships across the organization, and drive maintenance performance in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment. The successful candidate combines strong problem‑solving and organizational skills with a pragmatic approach and a commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

We would prefer for you to have

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent technical discipline
• Proven experience in leading maintenance organizations within GMP‑regulated industries
• Experience in maintenance management within pharmaceutical is preferred.
• Solid understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment, utilities, facilities, and infrastructure is preferred
• Good knowledge of English

Location

Parma

Budgeted Salary Range

The budgeted salary range approved for this role is between €52.240 and €65.300. This range reflects the typical compensation expected for candidates with the experience and expertise required for the position.

Final offer may vary based on the selected candidate's skills, experience, qualifications, overall profile, and internal equity considerations.

This role is eligible to participate in an annual bonus scheme, subject to company and individual performance.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including pension, private medical insurance, wellbeing programme, flexible benefits programme…

What we offer

No matter where your path starts at Chiesi, it leads to inspiring possibilities. Your future is our focus, and we are committed to nurturing your development in our dynamic, friendly environment with access to resources and training every step of the way.

We provide top‑class benefits, including comprehensive healthcare programs, work‑life balance initiatives, and robust relocation support. Our salary package is competitive, comprising a basic salary, performance bonuses, and benefits benchmarked against the external market. Additionally, we offer flexible working arrangements, remote work options, and tax assistance services for foreign colleagues, all designed to help you thrive.

Chiesi is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce at all levels of our business. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment based on attitude and merit, without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.