Plant Engineering & Operations Manager

Galderma is the emerging pure-play dermatology category leader, present in approximately 90 countries. We deliver an innovative, science-based portfolio of premium flagship brands and services that span the full spectrum of the fast-growing dermatology market through Injectable Aesthetics, Dermatological Skincare and Therapeutic Dermatology. Since our foundation in 1981, we have dedicated our focus and passion to the human body's largest organ - the skin - meeting individual consumer and patient needs with superior outcomes in partnership with healthcare professionals. Because we understand that the skin, we are in shapes our lives, we are advancing dermatology for every skin story.

We look for people who focus on getting results, embrace learning and bring a positive energy. They must combine initiative with a sense of teamwork and collaboration. Above all, they must be passionate about doing something meaningful for consumers, patients, and the healthcare professionals we serve every day. We aim to empower each employee and promote their personal growth while ensuring business needs are met now and into the future. Across our company, we embrace diversity and respect the dignity, privacy, and personal rights of every employee.

At Galderma, we actively give our teams reasons to believe in our bold ambition to become the leading dermatology company in the world. With us, you have the ultimate opportunity to gain new and challenging work experiences and create an unparalleled, direct impact.

The Opportunity

The Manager, Plant Engineering & Operations role provides operational engineering leadership for a regulated manufacturing site, ensuring that utility and facility systems support business needs, production continuity, quality standards, EHS expectations, regulatory compliance, and site performance.

The role is accountable for the operation, maintenance, reliability, lifecycle planning, compliance, and continuous improvement of site utility and facility systems, including water production and distribution, domestic/process/purified water where applicable, compressed air, black steam, clean steam, chillers, chilled water networks, cooling towers, electrical infrastructure, fire systems, HVAC interfaces, clean areas, wastewater/waste liquid treatment, buildings, grounds, offices, and general site infrastructure.

The role also leads the Integrated Facilities Management, including internal resources and external service providers for hard and soft services such as facility maintenance and repair, cleaning, pest control, grounds, office and workplace services, building-related services, space utilization, and site support functions.

The role is accountable for implementing locally the Global Plant Engineering strategy, alignment of standards, asset reliability expectations, engineering governance, sustainability objectives, compliance requirements, insurance risk and operational excellence priorities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Site Engineering Operations Leadership

• Lead the local Plant Engineering and Operations function to ensure safe, compliant, reliable, and efficient site operations.
• Provide engineering leadership for manufacturing operations across e.g. Consumer Cosmetics, Rx/OTC, and Injectable Aesthetics areas.
• Ensure engineering services support production continuity, product quality, EHS requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Act as the primary site engineering interface for Operations, Quality, EHS, Technical Services, Validation, Procurement, and Global Engineering.
• Lead site engineering governance forums, performance reviews, issue escalation, and improvement planning.
• Maintain strong operational discipline across maintenance, utilities, infrastructure, and facilities activities.
• Translate global plant engineering strategy, standards, and performance expectations into local site execution plans.

2. Utilities and Infrastructure Management

Accountable for the reliable and compliant operation of site utility and infrastructure systems, including but not limited to:

• Water production, treatment, storage, and distribution systems.
• Purified water, process water, potable water, and associated monitoring requirements, where applicable.
• Compressed air generation and distribution.
• Black steam and clean steam generation and distribution.
• Chilled water systems, chillers, cooling towers, and associated distribution networks.
• Electrical infrastructure, switchgear, power distribution, emergency power, and resilience systems.
• HVAC utilities interfaces supporting classified and non-classified manufacturing areas.
• Waste liquid treatment, effluent handling, and environmental control systems.
• Process utilities required to support, depending on site, to cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and injectable manufacturing.
• Facility infrastructure, buildings, roads, drainage, roofs, civil assets, fire protection systems and site services.
• The role ensures these systems are maintained in a state of control, operated within defined parameters, and improved in line with business, compliance, and sustainability needs.

3. Maintenance, Reliability and Asset Performance

• Give input to maintenance strategy execution for site utilities, facilities, and infrastructure assets.
• Laise with Maintenance & Reliability teams to ensure robust preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs are in place
• Help drive asset reliability, uptime, and lifecycle performance using data-led maintenance and reliability tools.
• Monitor and improve KPIs such as asset availability, maintenance compliance, breakdown frequency, recurring failures, backlog, schedule adherence, and cost performance.
• Lead root cause analysis for significant equipment, utility, and infrastructure failures.
• Ensure maintenance plans are risk-based and aligned with GMP, EHS, business continuity, and production criticality.
• Maintain accurate asset registers, equipment hierarchy, criticality assessments, spare parts strategies, and lifecycle replacement plans.
• Support development of site capital plans for asset renewal, reliability improvement, compliance remediation, and capacity expansion.

4. GMP, Quality and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure engineering operations comply with applicable GMP, GDP, GEP, EHS, local regulatory, and company requirements.
• Maintain engineering systems in an inspection-ready state.
• Ensure appropriate documentation, maintenance records, calibration interfaces, change controls, deviations, CAPAs, and validation support are completed in accordance with quality requirements.
• Partner with Quality and Validation teams to ensure qualified utilities and systems remain in a validated state.
• Support internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, and customer audits as the engineering subject matter expert.
• Ensure engineering changes are assessed for quality, safety, validation, and operational impact.
• Promote a strong culture of compliance, documentation accuracy, and right-first-time execution.

5. Integrated Facilities Management

• Lead the site Integrated Facilities Management model, including governance of outsourced service providers and internal facilities resources.
• Manage service delivery across hard and soft services, which may include building maintenance, cleaning, landscaping, security interfaces, waste management, pest control, workplace services, and technical facilities operations.
• Ensure IFM suppliers deliver against agreed service levels, compliance obligations, safety requirements, cost targets, and continuous improvement expectations.
• Own supplier performance reviews, contract governance, issue escalation, and improvement plans.
• Ensure facilities services are appropriate for a regulated manufacturing environment and do not compromise GMP, EHS, business continuity, or employee experience.
• Partner with Procurement and Legal on IFM contract scope, renewals, commercial performance, and supplier risk management.

6. EHS, Sustainability and Risk Management

• Ensure all engineering, maintenance, utilities, and facilities activities are performed safely and in compliance with EHS standards.
• Lead engineering risk assessments for utilities, infrastructure, maintenance activities, and contractor works.
• Drive energy efficiency, water stewardship, waste reduction, emissions reduction, and sustainability initiatives across site engineering operations.
• Support site decarbonization, energy optimization, and resource efficiency targets.
• Ensure statutory inspections, permits, pressure systems, electrical safety, confined space controls, contractor safety, and environmental systems are managed effectively.
• Own or support business continuity planning for critical utilities and infrastructure.
• Ensure emergency response plans are in place for major utility failures, infrastructure incidents, and site service disruptions.
• Maintain risk registers with Insurer actions followed and alignment with Business Continuity Plans.

7. Capital Projects and Technical Change

• Provide site engineering input into capital investment planning, project prioritization, and engineering project execution.
• Support project delivery for utility upgrades, infrastructure improvements, compliance remediation, capacity expansion, and asset replacement.
• Ensure local operational requirements are captured in project scopes, user requirements, design reviews, commissioning, qualification, and handover.
• Partner with Global Engineering and project teams to ensure projects meet site needs and are operationally sustainable.
• Ensure smooth transition from project delivery into routine operation, including maintenance plans, spare parts, training, documentation, qualification, and asset master data.
• Lead or support technical change controls associated with utilities, facilities, infrastructure, and equipment modifications.

8. People Leadership and Capability Building

• Lead, coach, and develop the local engineering operations team.
• Build capability in maintenance excellence, reliability, utilities operation, GMP compliance, EHS, troubleshooting, and contractor management.
• Set clear objectives, manage performance, and create development plans for team members.
• Establish a culture of ownership, accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and service to operations.
• Ensure adequate technical capability, succession planning, and resource planning to support site needs.
• Promote cross-functional teamwork with Operations, Quality, EHS, Technical Services, Validation, Finance, Procurement, and Global Engineering

Qualifications

Critical Skills

• Plant engineering, utilities, facilities, and infrastructure technical expertise.
• GMP / cGxP, quality systems, validation / qualification, and inspection readiness
• Integrated Facilities Management, including hard and soft services
• CAPEX support, project sponsorship, business case development etc.
• OPEX / CAPEX budget planning
• Automation / BMS interface knowledge – reporting for KPIs (energy, water etc)

Competences

• Operational leadership in regulated environments
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing capability
• Strong risk-based decision-making
• Supplier and contractor governance
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Ability to advise the business on facility and utility limitations
• Supplier and contractor governance
• People leadership, including coaching, feedback, recruitment etc.

Required Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical, Electrical, Process, Automation, Chemical, Industrial, Utilities, Building Services, or a related technical discipline
• 8–10 years of related experience in Plant Engineering, Utilities, Facilities, Maintenance, Engineering Operations, or a comparable regulated manufacturing environment.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership, supervisory, or managerial experience preferred
• Fluent written and spoken English required and Site Local language
• Previous experience within cGxP, pharmaceutical, medical aesthetics, consumer healthcare, cosmetics, sterile/injectable manufacturing, or another regulated industry is highly recommended.
• Experience with utility systems, facility systems, maintenance programs, shutdown planning, reliability programs, site services, external contractors, project handover, OPEX/CAPEX planning, and cross-functional stakeholder management

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

This role requires the ability to perform standard office activities, including extended periods of computer use, participation in virtual and in-person meetings, and collaboration across teams. Depending on business needs, occasional travel may be required. Work environments and physical requirements may vary based on the requirements of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Duties and responsibilities may be modified, added, or removed as necessary to meet business and organizational needs.

Compensation

The base salary range may vary based on many factors, including, but not limited to, job responsibilities, skills, experience, education, certifications, location and applicable geographic pay zones, market conditions, internal equity and business considerations. Compensation decisions are made based on an assessment of the candidate’s qualifications and the totality of relevant factors.

In addition to base salary, this role is eligible to participate in an annual short-term incentive program, subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements.

Benefits

Galderma offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan with employer match, paid time off, and other benefits, subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.

Work Authorization

This role does not offer sponsorship for work authorization. External applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

What We Offer
At Galderma, you’ll be part of a purpose-driven organization committed to advancing dermatology and improving patient outcomes worldwide. We offer competitive compensation, annual incentive opportunities, and comprehensive benefits, along with meaningful opportunities for growth, development, and collaboration in an inclusive and innovative environment.

Next Steps

• If your profile is a match, we will invite you for a first virtual conversation with the recruiter. 
• The next step is a virtual conversation with the hiring manager  
• The final step is a panel conversation with the extended team 

Don't meet every single requirement? At Galderma, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace. If you're excited about this role, but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the qualifications listed, we encourage you to apply anyway!

If you are considering employment at Galderma, review our job postings at www.galderma.com/us/careers. Please be aware of fraudulent job offers and individuals falsely claiming to represent our Human Resources department. Our company will never request or offer payment, personal financial information, or sensitive data (such as Social Security numbers or bank details) during the early stages of recruitment. All legitimate communications from our HR team will come from official company email domains and follow our established hiring process.