Maintenance and Utility Manager

Kyowa Kirin is a fast-growing global specialty pharmaceutical company that applies state-of-the-art biotechnologies to discover and deliver novel medicines in four disease areas: bone and mineral; intractable hematologic; hematology oncology; and rare disease. A Japan-based company, our goal is to translate science into smiles by delivering therapies where no adequate treatments currently exist, working from drug discovery to product development and commercialization. In North America, we are headquartered in Princeton, NJ, with offices in California, North Carolina, and Mississauga, Ontario.

The Maintenance and Utility Manager leads the operation, maintenance, and reliability of all facility utilities and critical systems within a biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment. This role ensures uninterrupted support for GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) production, laboratories, and facility operations. You will lead a team of technicians and contractors to ensure compliance with industry standards, environmental regulations, and safety protocols.

As a people leader, you will embody compassionate, people-centric leadership to guide and support our team. You will collaborate closely with others, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment while driving team development. Your work will reflect the organization's values and integrity in all your actions. Utilizing situational leadership and emotional intelligence, you will align diverse viewpoints, manage stakeholders, and make empathetic decisions to address individual, and team needs effectively. You will also be results-oriented, ensuring that your team not only adapts to challenges but also delivers measurable outcomes that align with business objectives. Additionally, you will help teams navigate through change and uncertainty with resilience and clarity, enabling them to adapt to fast-evolving, rapidly scaling environments and meet new challenges in the biotech industry with a patient-focused mindset.

This role reports to the Sr. Manager, Maintenance and Facility Services

Technical

• Manage and maintain GMP-critical utilities (WFI, clean steam, HVAC, purified water, compressed gases) and non-GMP plant utilities (chillers, boilers, compressed air).
• Demonstrate strong understanding of GMP-critical and non-critical utility systems.
• Apply knowledge of GMP processes, mechanical systems, and utility operations to build team capabilities in diagnosing and troubleshooting issues.
• Ensure all machinery, equipment, and building systems operate at optimal performance.
• Contribute to responses for regulatory inspections and internal audits related to maintenance programs and events.
• Manage vendor relationships and direct outsourced maintenance activities.
• Ensure utility systems comply with FDA, EMA, and other applicable regulatory standards (e.g., USP, ISPE, cGMP).
• Monitor system performance and efficiency; identify opportunities for improvement and energy optimization.

Administrative

• Evaluate staff resources and work schedules (e.g., vacations, on-call rotations) to ensure adequate coverage and fulfillment of preventive maintenance (PM) requirements.
• Ensure team members maintain required training qualifications and are cross-trained to support multiple GMP functional areas as needed.
• Coordinate with the CMMS department to ensure effective planning and scheduling of maintenance activities.
• Analyze trends and perform root cause analysis (RCA) to drive continuous improvement of the utility program.
• Collaborate closely with QA, production, engineering, and EHS teams to maintain a constant state of regulatory readiness.

Leadership

• Results-Oriented: Lead teams by setting clear, measurable goals and ensuring accountability for achieving key objectives. Align resources effectively, remove obstacles, and maintain focus on delivering high-quality results within set timelines.
• Empathetic Communication: Listen carefully, give helpful feedback, and handle conflicts with care.
• Team Development: Mentor and guide team members, create growth plans, support ongoing learning, and develop the team with a patient-focused mindset.
• Inclusive Leadership: Build a diverse, respectful environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
• Supportive Environment: Encourage a positive workplace, celebrate achievements, and promote work-life balance.
• Collaboration: Lead by example, promote teamwork and respect, and ensure your actions reflect the organization's values.
• Emotional Intelligence: Manage emotions thoughtfully, make empathetic decisions with a patient-focused mindset, and stay calm under pressure.
• Change Management: Help teams navigate change with clear communication and flexibility.
• Situational Leadership: Adapt your leadership style to meet the needs of the team, offering guidance or independence as needed, while keeping patient outcomes in mind.
• Stakeholder Management and Alignment Building: Work with different people to build alignment, guide discussions toward common goals, and ensure decisions are aligned with a patient-focused mindset.

Subordinates: Maintenance Supervisor, Maintenance/Utility Technician

Education

• High School or equivalent and minimum of 5 years in a maintenance/utility role.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years' experience within a maintenance organization, specializing in utility maintenance.
• Former maintenance manager preferred.

Technical Skills

• Proven experience as a Maintenance Supervisor or Utility Supervisor.
• Strong technical knowledge of mechanical systems, utilities, and facility trades.
• Experience with CMMS platforms such as D365 EAM, SAP PM, Maximo, or other similar systems.
• Experience managing spare parts and inventory.
• Solid understanding of GMP, FDA regulations, and cleanroom operations.
• Excellent organizational, planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including troubleshooting.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with clients and promote excellence in customer service.
• Capable of working under pressure and making sound decisions.
• Proficient in using RCA and other tools to enhance preventive and predictive maintenance programs.

Non-Technical Skills

Results-oriented and able to navigate ambiguity, you set clear outcomes, track progress, follow through on commitments, and ensure your actions lead to measurable results that advance organizational objectives. Respond promptly, take accountability, and manage tasks efficiently. Adapt to change with clarity, patience, and understanding, guiding teams through evolving challenges. Exhibit strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a solid work ethic while demonstrating cultural sensitivity and the ability to foster alignment in a global environment. Communicate with care by actively listening and considering others' perspectives, fostering productive, engaging interactions, and managing relationships with kindness. Embrace personal growth through continuous learning and knowledge sharing, maintaining a growth mindset. Promote inclusive collaboration by respecting diverse perspectives and creating a welcoming work environment. Contribute positively by recognizing achievements and encouraging a healthy work-life balance. Collaborate with respect, integrity, and humility, prioritizing collective success over individual gain. Resourceful and proactive, challenge the status quo, drive innovation, and develop creative solutions. Apply an enterprise-wide, holistic mindset, working beyond siloed thinking to deliver cohesive, integrated solutions.

Initially working on a construction site and ultimately in a biotech manufacturing site in Sanford, NC.

Work is 100% on-site. This is not a hybrid or remote role.

• Requires up to 10% domestic and limited international travel
• Ability to move and/or lift 50lbs without assistance
• Exposure to machinery, noise and physical hazards (with proper PPE)

The anticipated salary for this position will be $118,100 to $154,200. The actual salary offered for this role at commencement of employment may vary based on several factors including but not limited to relevant experience, skill set, qualifications, education (including applicable licenses and certifications, job-based knowledge, location, and other business and organizational needs.

The listed salary is just one component of the overall compensation package. At Kyowa Kirin North America we provide a comprehensive range of benefits including:

• 401K with company matching
• Discretionary Profit Sharing
• Annual Bonus Program (Sales Bonus for Sales Jobs)
• Generous PTO and Holiday Schedule which includes Summer and Winter Shut-Downs, Sick Days and, Volunteer Days
• Healthcare Benefits (Medical, Dental, Prescription Drugs and Vision)
• HSA & FSA Programs
• Well-Being and Work/Life Programs
• Long-Term Incentives
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Concierge Service
• Pet Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Referral Awards

The compensation and benefits information set forth in this posting applies to candidates hired in the United States. Candidates hired outside the United States will be eligible for compensation and benefits in accordance with their local market.

KKNA and all of its employees have an obligation to act in accordance with the law and with integrity in all our operations and interactions

It is the policy of Kyowa Kirin North America, Inc. to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, creed, color, pregnancy, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or affection preference or citizenship status or any other category protected by law.

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