Engineering Manager - Pharma

Engineering Manager - Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (Sligo)

A leading global pharmaceutical manufacturer is seeking an Engineering Manager to join its expanding site in Sligo. This permanent role sits within a high-performing API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) business unit and offers an excellent opportunity to lead a multidisciplinary team in a modern, highly regulated environment.

The Engineering Manager will oversee a team of engineers, technicians, and apprentices, ensuring optimal equipment performance, strong compliance culture, and seamless support to manufacturing operations. This position reports to the Operations Engineering Manager and is central to driving continuous improvement, reliability, and technical excellence on site.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a diverse engineering team, ensuring clear objectives, strong performance, and continuous skills development.

• Define departmental goals, schedules, and activity plans in partnership with the Operations Engineering Manager.

• Support and optimise manufacturing equipment to meet legal, corporate, and industry standards.

• Manage investigations into equipment performance issues and deploy improvements to reduce downtime and enhance yield.

• Oversee equipment and process upgrades in line with continuous improvement objectives.

• Prepare and execute effective CAPA plans and ensure quality compliance at all times.

• Develop monthly engineering metrics and deliver timely management reports.

• Manage engineering budgets and prepare capital expenditure (CAPEX) proposals when required.

• Ensure successful site readiness for external, divisional, and corporate audits.

• Drive high safety standards and adherence to all safe-working practices.

• Lead internal and external plant projects, managing contractors and cross-functional stakeholders to successful completion.

• Represent Engineering at key meetings and ensure actions are delivered on schedule.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Degree (Level 7 or higher) in Engineering or a Scientific discipline (e.g., Chemistry).

• Minimum years in an Engineering Supervisor or similar leadership position.

• Experience working in an active pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, ideally within Engineering.

• Strong technical exposure to:

  • Glass-lined vessels

  • Reactors

  • Pumps

  • Heat exchangers

  • Solvent handling

  • ATEX environments

Skills

• Proven leadership capabilities with experience managing engineers/technicians.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make timely, sound engineering decisions.

• High attention to detail with a focus on compliance, documentation, and safety.

• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

What's on Offer

• A senior leadership role in a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

• Excellent scope to influence engineering strategy, reliability programs, and CI initiatives.

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.

• Long-term career development within a high-performing organisation.