Head of Engineering

Lead and manage Norbrook’s capital investment programme and maintenance activities across all manufacturing facilities in Northern Ireland and Ireland and provide expert engineering advice to our global distribution sites and East Africa manufacturing operation.

Oversee the engineering and maintenance teams, including third-party contractors, ensuring strong performance and adherence to safety, quality, and service standards.

Be accountable for the capital and maintenance budgets, driving value for money and budgetary compliance.

Identify and implement process improvements, ensuring best-in-class safety, quality, and operational performance of all facilities and equipment.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the long-term engineering strategy aligning with business and operational goals, to drive continuous improvement, ensure optimal equipment performance, and support overall organisational objectives.
• Serve as a key member of the site leadership team, contributing to broader operational strategy and performance, with a focus on maintaining high standards for equipment reliability and operational efficiency.

Engineering Operations

• Provide leadership and oversight for the maintenance and optimisation and continuous improvement, of all production equipment, utilities, and facilities, ensuring maximum reliability and operational uptime across the organisation.
• Ensure full compliance with applicable regulatory and statutory requirements, including cGMP, health and safety, environmental standards, and relevant authority guidelines (e.g., VMD, MHRA, FDA).
• Implement and continuously improve a robust asset management system, integrating both preventative and predictive maintenance practices to optimise equipment performance, lifecycle, and drive continuous operational improvements.
• Promote and enforce safe working practices for all personnel, including engineering and maintenance teams, contractors, suppliers, and site visitors, ensuring a strong safety culture throughout all operations.
• Establish and manage effective Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with third-party contractors to guarantee high-performance standards and reliability of critical utility systems.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive business continuity plans, including contingency strategies for failure of critical systems, clear SLAs, spare parts availability, and structured start-up procedures ensuring minimal disruption to operations.
• Oversee the full integration and optimisation of the Building Management System (BMS) to enable efficient monitoring and control of site utilities and environmental conditions.
• Maintain exemplary 5S housekeeping and organisational standards across all engineering-controlled areas, including plant rooms, equipment spaces, and roof areas, ensuring all assets are kept in optimal condition.

Project & Capital Management

• Develop and control the annual engineering budget, covering capital expenditure, maintenance activities, and spare parts inventory, with rigorous monthly tracking and reporting of financial performance to ensure cost efficiency and sustainability.
• Manage the full lifecycle of capital projects - including scope, budget, timeline, and resources— ensuring efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality outcomes that enhance equipment performance and operational reliability.
• Lead the planning and execution of engineering projects, including new equipment installations, facility upgrades, and capacity expansion initiatives, while ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing operations and a focus on maintaining the integrity and performance of existing assets.

Compliance & Validation

• Execute an effective planned maintenance system and regular condition-based monitoring of plant and equipment to ensure optimal performance and compliance with all relevant regulations.
• Ensure all equipment and facility changes are validated and documented in accordance with GMP and regulatory standards, maintaining high operational integrity and quality control across all systems.
• Measure and assess the capacity of utilities to meet current and future requirements ensuring adequate resources for uninterrupted and efficient operations.
• Maintain Norbrook’s Quality Management System to a high standard for all facilities and equipment including automated processes, ensuring continued compliance with industry standards and fostering operational excellence.
• Serve as a key contact during inspections and audits relating to engineering, maintenance, and utilities, ensuring readiness and adherence to all regulatory requirements and best practices.

People & Performance Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team, fostering a culture of ownership and continuous improvement , and a shared commitment to maintaining equipment performance and operational efficiency.
• Set clear objectives and KPIs for the engineering function, regularly reviewing performance against targets, to drive accountability, identify areas for improvement, and ensure alignment with broader business and operational goals.

Operational Excellence & Sustainability

• Champion lean engineering practices and actively support Operational Excellence initiatives, improve equipment performance, streamline processes, and drive continuous improvement across all engineering operations.
• Lead energy efficiency and environmental sustainability projects across the sites including energy efficiency measures, and CO₂ emissions reduction initiatives, to improve resource use, reduce environmental impact, and enhance long-term operational sustainability.

Essential Criteria:

• Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or related and a minimum of 5 years of engineering management experience OR 10 years relevant engineering management experience
• Demonstrated success in managing large-scale capital projects and cross-functional teams.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory standards (e.g., GMP, FDA, EMA, VMD) and validation processes.

Success Factors

• EHS - managing an effective safety management system within the Engineering department, ensuring compliance to Norbrook EHS policies using safety meetings, inspections, near miss investigations and other tools.
• Regulatory Compliance - ability to lead engineering operations in strict alignment with veterinary pharmaceutical regulations and GMP.
• Asset Management Excellence - high uptime, predictive maintenance, and lifecycle management of critical production equipment.
• Project Delivery - timely, cost-effective, and compliant delivery of engineering projects including facility expansions, upgrades, or process automation.
• Sustainability and Innovation - implementation of energy-efficient, sustainable solutions and fostering innovation in manufacturing technologies.
• Cross-Functional Leadership - effective collaboration with QA, Production, R&D, and Supply Chain to align technical strategies with business goals.

Desirable Criteria:

• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent.
• Experience in sterile or aseptic manufacturing.
• Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement training.
• Experience with energy management and sustainable engineering practices.

Duration: Full Time, Permanent

Location: Newry

Additional Information:

• This role may be based in a site that produces and handles penicillin, and as such, this role would not be suitable for those that have a penicillin allergy.
• Applicants should be able to provide proof that they have a right to work in the UK at the time of their application. Applicants who are unable to provide this proof will not be considered.
• We regret that applications received after the closing date and time will not be accepted.

Benefits:

• Free life assurance
• Company pension scheme
• Healthcare cash plan
• 32 days annual leave
• Wedding leave
• Company sick pay
• Employee well-being initiatives
• Employee assistance programme
• On-site free parking
• Subsidised canteen facilities
• WeCare programme – supporting the local community
• Employee perks scheme
• Employee recognition scheme
• Career development opportunities

Contact: [email protected]

Norbrook Laboratories Limited employs a workforce with members of all sections of the community and is committed to appointing people purely on the basis of merit. In accordance with our equal opportunities policy, we would particularly like to welcome applicants from the Protestant Community.