Senior Director - Process, Maintenance & Automation Engineering

436 Eli Lilly Nederland B.V.; Katwijk; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Eli Lilly Nederland B.V. in Katwijk seeks a Sr Director, Process, Maintenance & Automation Engineering to lead Process Engineering, Automation, and Maintenance functions at the new site.

The role ensures reliability, compliance, and continuous performance of manufacturing equipment and control systems. As a member of the Site Leadership Team, you will champion next-generation manufacturing capabilities such as paperless operations, dock-to-dock automation, and process analytical technology while

Responsibilities

• Leadership & People Management across Process Engineering, Automation, and Maintenance functions.
• Ensure regulatory compliance from equipment, instrumentation, and process performance perspectives.
• Provide technical leadership for troubleshooting, deviation resolution, change management, safety assessments, and lifecycle management of manufacturing processes.
• Oversee automation platforms, control systems, and digital manufacturing tools and their lifecycle management.

Job description

At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.

About the Katwijk Site Eli Lilly is investing €2.6 billion in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Katwijk, Netherlands. This facility will produce oral medicines for cardiometabolic health, neuroscience, oncology, and immunology, incorporating next-generation manufacturing technologies including dock-to-dock automation, paperless manufacturing, and process analytical technology while achieving carbon neutrality and zero waste to landfills.

Position Overview

The Sr Director, Process, Maintenance & Automation Engineering provides strategic and operational leadership for Process Engineering, Automation, and Maintenance functions at the Katwijk site. This role ensures the reliability, compliance, and continuous performance of manufacturing equipment, control systems, and automated technologies. As a member of the Site Leadership Team, the incumbent will champion next-generation manufacturing capabilities — including paperless operations, dock-to-dock automation, and process analytical technology — while delivering a world‑class, GMP‑compliant maintenance programme from site startup through steady‑state operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & People Management
  • Develop vision and operational discipline across Process Engineering, Automation, and Maintenance functions in accordance with Eli Lilly Manufacturing Standards.
  • Provide supervisory direction for department leaders, employees, and contractors across all supported functions.
  • Conduct performance appraisals, salary reviews, and HRP sessions; develop talent assessment, career, and succession plans.
  • Foster a culture of technical excellence, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Process Engineering
  • Ensure regulatory compliance from an equipment, instrumentation, and process performance perspective.
  • Provide technical leadership for troubleshooting, deviation resolution, change management, safety assessments, and lifecycle management of manufacturing processes.
  • Drive initiatives that improve process efficiency, compliance, and productivity.
  • Coordinate engineering support for manufacturing operations and daily activities.
• Automation & Technology
  • Implement and manage automated systems and technologies, including dock-to-dock automation, paperless manufacturing, and process analytical technology (PAT).
  • Ensure compliance with Computer Systems Validation (CSV), Infrastructure Platform Qualification, and Software Quality practices.
  • Ensure compliance with FDA regulations including 21 CFR Part 11 and applicable computer systems regulations.
  • Oversee the lifecycle management of automation platforms, control systems, and digital manufacturing tools.
• Maintenance Programme
  • Oversee the development, implementation, and execution of a comprehensive maintenance programme encompassing preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance, as well as planning and scheduling.
  • Oversee technical maintenance services including pressure vessels, spare parts, CMMS, mechanical integrity, calibration, and reliability services.
  • Ensure adequate lifecycle management of plant assets and equipment.
  ..