Manager/Associate Manager

About Forge:

Forge, a member of Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma Services, is a gene therapy development engine, focused on enabling access to life changing gene therapies and helping bring them from idea into reality. We partner with innovators in the gene therapy community: scientists, physicians, biotech/pharma companies, and patient groups. We bring expertise in gene therapy manufacturing and therapeutics development to the table, helping to champion teams that are navigating the long road from the lab bench to the bedside. Our goal is simple but vital to patients living with disease, and we take it seriously. With a patient-first approach, we are forging new models for working together to better accelerate these transformative medicines to reach those who need them the most. 

Forge is based in Columbus, Ohio, in a 200,000 square foot facility known affectionately by team members as, the Hearth. The Hearth, is a custom-designed cGMP facility dedicated to AAV manufacturing and hosts scalable, end-to-end manufacturing services. 

About The Role: 

The Manager/Associate Manager, Maintenance and Utilities oversees a team of technicians to maintain site infrastructure, utilities, and building systems in a compliant, audit-ready state. This role ensures the reliability, safety, and performance of both GMP and non-GMP systems and plays a key role in continuous improvement, project execution, and operational readiness.

What You’ll Do:

Facilities

• Owns the maintenance and inspection of infrastructure systems: fire suppression, site security, landscaping, pest control, building infrastructure (doors, floors, roofing), and GMP cleanroom related infrastructure.
• Coordinates site support functions, office repairs, and maintains relationships with local agencies.
• Leads the execution of facility maintenance strategies and capital improvements aligned with the site master plan, including ownership of planned and corrective maintenance programs and building robust maintenance plans in Blue Mountain Regulatory Asset Manager (BMRAM).
• Monitors trends and alarms from the Building Management System (Metasys) and Building Monitoring System (OceaSoft), reporting findings to equipment owners.

Utilities

• Manages the operation, maintenance, and compliance of site utilities: air handlers, exhaust systems, boilers, chillers, RO system, humidifiers, compressed gases, WFI, clean steam, UPS systems, emergency generators and site electrical infrastructure.
• Develops preventive and predictive maintenance programs and leads daily rounds and troubleshooting of utility systems.
• Provides mechanical maintenance expertise during project design, installation, and start-up, including support for utility equipment installations and execution of Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Support

• Trains and mentors staff, sets performance expectations, and fosters collaboration.
• Leads planned and corrective work on GMP and non-GMP mechanical equipment, ensuring compliance with Quality and EHSS requirements.
• Leads major facility and utility maintenance activities during scheduled shutdowns.
• Implements strategies for the Asset Responsible Care Program and identifies areas for continuous improvement in partnership with Plant & Reliability Engineering.
• Manages vendor and contractor services for facility and utility system maintenance, ensuring GMP compliance and audit readiness; oversees contracts, evaluates performance, and implements best practices for in-house vs. external work through strong cross-functional collaboration.
• Develops Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) and supports LOTO and spare parts programs.
• Supports equipment performance reviews and deviation investigations; develops troubleshooting narratives for equipment systems.
• Write, edit and review maintenance procedures including WI (Work Instructions) and WPTs (Work Plan Templates).
• Participates in monthly work order review and reconciliation; ensuring CMMS data integrity.
• Provides after-hours or on-call support for urgent issues, including BMS alerts.

What You’ll Bring:

• 8+ years of experience in facility & utility operations, including complex mechanical systems.
• Proven experience supporting facility infrastructure and critical utility systems (e.g., HVAC, boilers, chillers, WFI, clean steam, compressed gases, etc.).
• Demonstrated experience with equipment lifecycle management and preventive/predictive maintenance strategies.
• Ability to mentor and train staff, set performance expectations, and support employee growth through delegation, feedback and coaching.
• Capable of managing competing priorities and ensuring compliance in a fast-paced, regulated environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to influence cross-functional teams and lead through collaboration.
• Knowledge of cGMP, FDA, EMA, and/or ISO regulations as they relate to facilities, utilities, and equipment maintenance is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with CMMS platforms (e.g., BMRAM or equivalent).
• Experience organizing and managing facility shutdown activities.
• Preferred: Experience in documentation management within a structured Quality System (ISO, FDA).
• Ability to respond to after-hours issues or be on-call as needed.

Physical Requirements:

• May be required to lift up to 50 pounds of materials or equipment.
• Requirement to gown into Classified Areas of the facility (ISO 7 and 8 sterile gowning)
• The ability to move safely over uneven terrain or in confined spaces
• The ability to safely climb ladders while carrying 40 pounds
• The ability to wear personal protective gear correctly as required

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This position works in both a warehouse and typical office environment where the physical work demands will vary depending on the specific tasks and duties required of the job. The noise level in the work environment ranges from moderate to occasionally loud. Must be able to lift, carry, push, and/or pull objects weighing up to 35 lbs. Ability to frequently operate a computer, and communicate with others in person, over the phone, and via other devices. Must be able to move about the facility for moderate to extended periods of time. Ability to wear task dependent personal protective equipment as needed.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned.

Forge Biologics is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. Forge Biologics, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Life at Forge 

We are a team of diverse, driven and passionate people working together to trailblaze a new model for how we make medicines to treat patients with genetic diseases. Our team members use their creativity and talent to invent new solutions, meet new demands, and offer the most effective services in the industry. Forge’s core values lay the foundation for H.O.P.E. It provides us a common purpose that we all understand, work towards and live by. 

HARDWORKING - We work hard and smart, making a persistent and determined effort toward success. Working hard, with focus and desire is the key.

OPEN - We strive to be approachable, actively listen and encourage others to contribute and speak up. We positively offer and receive constructive feedback.

PURPOSE DRIVEN - We are passionate about working towards and delivering on our mission to manufacture gene therapies.

ENGAGED - We are fully absorbed by and enthusiastic about our work and take positive action to further Forge’s vision, mission and goals.

We’ve Got You Covered

We take the health and happiness of our employees seriously and are consistently evaluating new ways to make our benefits truly UnFORGEttable.

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance that starts on your first day at Forge, with 90% of premiums covered for team members as well as dependents
• Competitive paid time off plan
• Annual bonus for all full-time employees
• 401(K) company match
• Fully-stocked kitchen with free food/drinks
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave - additional discount programs include childcare support & dependent care
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Wellness benefits (financial planning services, mental health counseling, employer paid disability)
• Onsite fitness facility 
• Professional & Personal development resources