Our client – a global and growing BioPharma CDMO company needs an Sr. Manager – Equipment Maintenance with Pharmaceutical Industry experience at their expanding plant in WA state, Excellent total comp. up to $205K+ with excellent Benefits (starting day 1) + Generous Relocation Bonus. If needed client will support H1B visa transfer.

Job Posting # 2713   

Job Title:  Sr. Manager Equipment Maintenance – Pharma Sterile Fill

Location:  Spokane, WA                                                                 

Relocation: The client offers a generous lumpsum bonus for relo assistance.

Compensation: Salary range $125K - $180K + Annual Bonus (15%)

Full Benefits - right away: Medical, Dental, 15 days’ vacation/Sick time, Holidays, 401k (match up to 4%).

Company Info:

Our client is a growing CDMO company in the Pharmaceutical Industry. They are a part of a global parent company with sites in many countries. This is an integrated contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) offering specialized Aseptic Sterile manufacturing, filling and lyophilization of drug products in Vials. They have around 1,300 people at this manufacturing site in Spokane, WA

Group Info: Lead the Equipment Maintenance group supporting the existing and expansion site in Spokane, WA. The group has 4 supervisors for weekday and weekend working 24*7 in 12 hr shifts with a round 20 maintenance Technicians under the 4 supervisors.

This role will report to the Assoc. Director of Maintenance, who will then report to the Sr. Director of Engineering and Maintenance who is over a group of around 80 technical staff.

Note1: The company recently completed their 3^rd state-of-the-art Sterile Liquid compounding & Vial Filling line and are currently expanding again with a 4^th line at this site.

Note 2: This is a hands-on role and the manager is expected to lead the team by example and perform some strategic Maintenance Engineering work and also lead this group.

Note 3: This group supports only the equipment maintenance for the plant. They have separate groups for Facility/Utility Management, Reliability and Engineering.

Note 4: Client will support transfer of existing TN1 or H1B Visa for this permanent direct hire role, but will not sponsor for a new H1B visa.

Summary:

• The Senior Manager, Equipment Maintenance is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and execution of GMP equipment maintenance, reliability, and lifecycle management activities supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing operations. 

• This role ensures equipment uptime, regulatory compliance, and inspection readiness through effective maintenance strategies, strong people leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. 

• The Senior Manager translates site maintenance strategy into tactical plans and execution, leads maintenance teams and supervisors, and partners closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Validation, and Engineering to maintain a safe, compliant, and efficient operating environment.

Job Description:

Equipment Maintenance & Reliability Execution

• Lead execution of preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs for GMP manufacturing equipment, utilities, and critical systems.
• Ensure maintenance activities are compliant, effective, and completed on schedule.
• Monitor equipment performance, reliability metrics, and asset health; drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Act as escalation support for complex equipment issues impacting safety, quality, or production.
• Support asset lifecycle activities, including reliability improvements and obsolescence mitigation.

People Leadership & Supervision

• Lead, coach, and develop maintenance managers, supervisors, engineers, and technical staff.
• Set clear performance expectations, objectives, and development plans for direct reports.
• Foster a strong safety culture emphasizing accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Support workforce planning and day-to-day resource allocation to meet production needs.

Regulatory Compliance & Inspection Readiness

• Ensure maintenance activities comply with cGMP, FDA, and global regulatory requirements.
• Lead or support equipment-related deviation investigations, root cause analyses, and CAPA execution.
• Maintain inspection-ready documentation including maintenance records, SOPs, and reports.
• Participate in regulatory, client, and internal audits; support audit readiness activities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Validation, Engineering, EHS, and Supply Chain to support operational objectives.
• Provide technical input to equipment upgrades, process improvements, and capital projects.
• Collaborate with Validation and Engineering on equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), changes, and commissioning activities.

Budget & Vendor Oversight

• Support management of maintenance operating expenses, contracts, and service agreements.
• Oversee vendors and contractors to ensure safe, compliant, and cost-effective execution of work.
• Contribute to maintenance planning, forecasting, and continuous cost improvement efforts.

Candidate Must Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Chemical, or related discipline)
• 8+ years of maintenance experience in industrial manufacturing
• 5+ years of experience in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing maintenance teams or supervisors
• GMP equipment maintenance and reliability programs
• Deviation investigations and CAPA execution
• Inspection readiness and audit participation
• Vendor and contractor oversight
• Strong knowledge of GMP equipment maintenance, reliability engineering, and asset management
• Understanding of FDA and global regulatory requirements
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, SOPs, and engineering drawings
• Experience with maintenance management systems (CMMS)

Candidate Nice to Have:

• Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional. (CMRP).
• Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement training
• Project management experience
• Pharmaceutical engineering or ISPE/PDA training
• Advanced degree in Engineering or MBA
• Automation experience using Rockwell PLC/HMI/SCADA systems
• Experience working in a fast-paced Pharma Contract Manufacturing Organization (CDMO)

Keywords: Maintenance, reliability, Pharma, CDMO, manufacturing, plant, FDA, GMP, Sterile Aseptic liquid filling, Isolators, Clean rooms, Lyophilization, contract Manufacturing, Manager, CMRP, PLC, Automation.