Head of Automation

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections,  where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position

1.  Primary Purpose of Job (Job Summary)

The Automation Manager is responsible for managing, maintaining, and optimizing all automation systems in site, including automated production equipment, control systems, related software applications and all computerized systems, ensuring efficient, controllable, and compliant production processes. Also provides support during the project and startup phase and liaise with the engineering firm on the design/construction/qualification of the automation systems, ensuring they meet the intended standard and quality requirements.

This is a people leader position. Strong skills and experience are required to cover two areas: Greenfield project delivery and Routine Operation.

●       Enable and empower your team to deliver our vision through demonstrating VACC (Visionary, Architect, Coach, Catalyst) leadership behaviors and focusing on strategic project development in China.

●           The role plays a critical part in strategic project realization including all facilities/utilities/equipment relevant automation systems design, qualification and operation readiness and start up.

●           Responsibilities for site automation system building and maintenance including specifying, sourcing, installing and qualifying Automation and controls equipment construction including MES/PI/LIMS/EMS/BAS/SCADA/PLC etc.

●           Also provide training to site users to ensure the operation use, and shop floor service during production.

●           Responsible for implementing site digital roadmap according to Roche global strategy.

2.  Principle Roles & Responsibilities / Accountabilities

Leadership & People Management

●           Possesses strong creative leadership competencies and integrates Leadership Commitments into daily practices. Demonstrates the ability to cultivate a forward-thinking outlook, remove barriers, develop people's skills and technical capabilities, and create an environment that empowers individuals to perform at their best.

●           Build and retain an inclusive workforce and foster an environment where diversity of thought and perspective are valued.

●           Build and maintain strong partnerships with site leaders to assure alignment around strategic projects and day-to-day activities and to assure mutually successful working relationships.

●           Take the responsibility for department daily SHE management, implement site SHE procedure and program, and achieve site corporate /site SHE KPI. Promote SHE culture and improve employee safety behavior.

●           Lead, coach, and guide the organization. Manage performance and development team members to achieve organizational goals and employee personal and professional growth

●           Build a strong pipeline of talent and robust succession plans for key positions.

●           Maintain a culture of continuous improvement and model lean leadership principles

●           Maintain a culture of transparent, high performance, empowerment and innovation culture

Technical

Engineering Project Support and Operation Readiness:

●           Play the role of automation representative to contribute on project design, construction and qualification, including but not limited to specifying, sourcing, installation and qualification etc. to contribution on project delivery.

●           Establish and develop site automation and control system in alignment with the Roche standards.

●           Assist Engineering head to setup team and people hiring schedule to build a competitive team that meets the project and production ramp up plan.

●           Develop a competent team through coaching, mentoring and training by having in place a skill competencies development and appraisal program to strengthen the technical expertise and capabilities.

Routine Operation

●          Implementations Support

●           Improve management of, and access to, business-critical scientific data for all scientific disciplines across Roche.

●           Provide consultation with regards to automation systems, computerized systems and software, implementation and validation.

●           Perform all work safely and meets the requisite training requirements.

●          Business Partnering and Solution Provision

●           Strive to provide the best workable solution using the software/systems and systems available in alignment with the sites digital strategy.

●           Develop an in-depth understanding of Automation/IT and business initiatives, strategies and needs for the future and ensure alignment of Automation/OT strategy.

●           Be aware of current and emerging technologies which could benefit/add value to the site and promote these opportunities internally.

●           Provide strategic direction to the automation group specifically around the areas of software and hardware. Responsible for implementing site digital roadmap according to Roche global strategy.

●          Automation Operations

●           Provide SME support to manufacturing and other departments for the design and operation of process automation equipment.

●           Conduct troubleshooting and technical analyses on manufacturing equipment and process automation system including PI data analyses, code review/troubleshooting, etc.

●           Act as controls engineering lead for tech transfer or new process into the facilities.

●           Support production and project teams in all questions of Automation and controls

●           Develop technical knowledge on manufacturing equipment and process automation system.

●           Secures professional and economic execution of all activities and high availability of manufacturing unit and equipment.

●           Also provide training to site users to ensure the operation use, and shop floor service during production.

●           Create/Revise/Review Automation and manufacturing related SOP's Functional Specs, work instructions, equipment and process changes.

●           Perform high level system administration of Automation systems: managing the user roles, including their configurations, security rights and access rights.

3.  Qualification and Experience

Education/Qualifications

●           Bachelor's degree or above in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Mechanical Engineering, Biopharmaceutical Engineering, or a related field.

Job Required Competencies

●           15 or more years’ automation system management experience in the injection pharmaceutical industry, MNC Bio-pharma preferred

●           5 or more years’ people management experience

●           Experienced in strategic project of Aseptic Filling facility including design, commissioning & qualification

●           Experienced in new facility startup readiness and operation ramp up including organization, people and operation management system

●           Strong knowledge on automation system of DP facility

●           Able to think strategically and translate strategies into actionable plans, understands and applies agile ways of working

●           Fluent communications skills in English and the ability to effectively communicate, collaborate, and foster positive interactions with team members and stakeholders.

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer.