Associate Director, Engineering Support

FUJIFILM Biotechnologies; Holly Springs (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

FUJIFILM Biotechnologies in Holly Springs, North Carolina, seeks an Associate Director of Strategic Engineering Initiatives to translate strategy into actionable plans and coordinate cross-functional execution across the engineering organization.

The role emphasizes leadership development, process improvement, and operational excellence to ramp facility operations in line with site commitments and client needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in life science or engineering with 8+ years of related experience; or Master's degree with 6+ years.
• 4+ years of experience managing, leading, and developing people.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring other leaders (managers/supervisors).
• Experience working in CGMP facility or FDA-regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic engineering projects aligned with company objectives.
• Identify opportunities and implement process improvements and best practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate engineering initiatives.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and mentorship to stakeholders.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies for strategic planning.
• Prepare and deliver clear communications on project status and risks to leadership.
• Drive adherence to project plans, timelines, and budgets.
• Optimize tasks and staffing for teams and consultants.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional

Project management

People development

Communication

CGMP knowledge

Regulatory awareness

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

N/A

Job description

Position Overview

As the Associate Director, Strategic Engineering Initiatives, this role partners closely with the Vice President and senior leaders within Engineering to coordinate and execute strategic projects and initiatives that enable the organization to start up and ramp operations in line with site and client commitments. This role contributes to shaping the department's priorities by translating strategy into actionable plans, coordinating cross-functional execution, and driving process improvements. The Associate Director leads complex initiatives, influences across teams, supports a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Company Overview

FUJIFILM Biotechnologies is building the future of bioproduction in Holly Springs, North Carolina. By end of 2025, we'll open North America's largest end-to-end CDMO biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility, offering drug substance production, fill-finish, and packaging under one roof.

We’re looking for passionate, mission-driven people to help us realize this exciting vision and deliver the next vaccine, cure, or therapy. We offer a dynamic work environment and we’re proud to cultivate a culture that will fuel your purpose, energy, and drive-what we call Genki. Ready to shape the future of medicine? Let’s transform healthcare together!

Holly Springs, North Carolina, combines small-town warmth with proximity to Raleigh’s thriving tech scene, making it the perfect blend of community and opportunity.

Fujifilm is globally headquartered in Tokyo with over 70,000 employees across four key business segments of healthcare, electronics, business innovation, and imaging. We are guided and united by our Group Purpose of "giving our world more smiles." Visit: https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en/about/region/careers

Job Description

What You’ll Do

• Supports the development and leads the execution of strategic engineering projects aligned with company objectives to ensure successful ramp-up of facility and operational excellence
• Identifies opportunities and implements process improvements and best practices to enhance productivity and efficiency while engaging employees throughout the transformation journey
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to seamlessly integrate engineering initiatives across the organization
• Provides day-to-day leadership and mentorship to stakeholders, fostering a culture of collaboration and dedication to ensure objectives are met on time, within scope and budget
• Monitors industry trends and emerging technologies for recommendations to strategic plans for maintaining a competitive advantage
• Prepares and delivers clear, effective, and routine communications on project(s) status, risks, decisions, and outcomes to leadership and stakeholders to ensure alignment and transparency
• Drives adherence to project plans, strategies, and timeline ensuring successful execution and escalating risks with mitigation proposals, as needed
• Optimizes tasks and overall workload for FUJIFILM team members and consultants, assembling project teams that effectively leverage and challenge skills while promoting development and organizational efficiency
• Evaluates team performance, develops and implements measures to improve productivity and engagement, and partners with People & Culture to recruit and retain talent
• Performs other duties, as assigned

Knowledge & Skills

• Ability to drive core team culture priorities (e.g., safety, GEMBA, leadership principles, cost-consciousness) into the way of working
• Demonstrated ability to hire and develop talent to build a high performing team
• Build trust and collaborate cross-functionally, including globally to resolve issues and priorities, and adapt communication style to differing audiences
• Ability to institutionalize effective 1:1s ensuring quality coaching, delivering actionable feedback, and utilizing team health and engagement to drive improvement
• Ability to effectively present complex information to others
• Familiarity with project management methodologies and processes
• Ability to adapt strategies and approaches in response to uncertainty or changes within an organization
• Effective communication, both written and oral with the ability to adapt communication style to differing audiences and advise on difficult matters
• Ability to execute within a dynamic and fast paced environment
• Must be flexible to support 24/7 manufacturing facility

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in life science or engineering related field with 8+ years of related experience; or
• Master's degree in life sciences or engineering with 6+ years of related experience
• 4+ years of experience managing, leading, and developing people
• Demonstrated experience mentoring other leaders (managers/supervisors)
• Experience working in a changing, project-driven organization
• Experience in a CGMP facility or working with FDA regulations.

Preferred Requirements

• 6-10 years of experience in biotech/pharma manufacturing operations
• Experience leading capital projects.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Will work in environment which may necessitate respiratory protection. X No Yes
May work in Mechanical/Production spaces that may require hearing protection and enrollment in a hearing conservation program. No X Yes
Will work in environment operating a motor vehicle or Powered Industrial Truck. X No Yes
Ability to discern audible cues. No X Yes
Ability to inspect or perform a task with 20/20 corrected vision, visual acuity, including distinguishing color. No X Yes
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Ability to ascend or descend ladders, scaffolding, ramps, etc. No X Yes
Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time. X No Yes frequency/minutes (If yes, may specify frequency/duration: up to 15, 30, 120, 240 minutes)
Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time. X No Yes frequency/minutes (If yes, may specify frequency/duration: up to 15, 30, 120, 240 minutes)
Ability to