Senior Manager, Maintenance and Facility Services

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 Senior Manager of Maintenance and Facility Services will play a critical role in providing both strategic and hands-on leadership to ensure reliable maintenance and facility operations- from greenfield through the operational phase- at Kyowa Kirin North America’s new monoclonal antibody drug substance manufacturing facility in Sanford, NC.

Initially, you will serve as an individual contributor, with the expectation of building and later managing a team of maintenance and facility services professionals.

During the facility’s startup phase, you will assist in design efforts, develop training programs, establish maintenance and facility services policies and procedures, and implement curricula and learning plans for the site. You will also be heavily involved in facility construction and startup activities to ensure a safe and injury-free environment.

You will lead all aspects of the facility’s maintenance operations, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and execution of preventive and corrective maintenance activities, as well as, coordinating shutdown activities. You will manage a team of maintenance technicians while ensuring equipment uptime, safety compliance, and cost-effective operations. This often requires strategic planning to address long-term maintenance needs and capital improvement projects.

Additionally, you will be responsible for maintaining the overall condition and functionality of the facility- including the building, grounds, equipment, and supplies- ensuring that the site remains safe, secure, operational, and conducive to efficient and effective work. You will also oversee any external Integrated Facility Management (IFM) service providers responsible for centralized facility management services.

You will act on behalf of the company in promoting safe, professional work practices and conditions that comply with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) policies and regulations.

You will be responsible for ensuring that all employees follow established safety protocols and procedures. This includes conducting safety audits, investigating and reporting incidents, and developing safety programs.

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 into the Director, Engineering.

Leadership and Team Management
•    Lead and manage a team of maintenance and facility services professionals, including supervisors, technicians, and specialists.
•    Provide coaching, development, and performance management to build a high-performing, collaborative, and values-driven team.
•    Foster a culture of safety, compliance, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across all maintenance and facility activities.

Maintenance and Facility Operations
•    Design, implement, and oversee comprehensive maintenance and facility operations programs across GMP and non-GMP areas to ensure safety, reliability, and compliance.
•    Drive the day-to-day functionality and upkeep of building systems (e.g., HVAC, electrical, plumbing), janitorial services, landscaping, pest control, security, and waste management.
•    Manage the planning, execution, and documentation of preventative and corrective maintenance tasks to ensure minimal downtime and operational continuity.
•    Lead maintenance work order execution using a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System), ensuring accuracy and efficiency in tracking and reporting.
•    Ensure the overall facility- including interior and exterior structures, grounds, utilities, and support infrastructure- is well-maintained and fully operational.

Greenfield to Operational Readiness
•    Provide input during facility design and construction to optimize long-term maintainability, utility layout, and infrastructure readiness.
•    Support facility startup activities including commissioning, qualification, validation (CQV), and transition to routine operations.
•    Develop maintenance and facility services procedures, policies, SOPs, and safety protocols tailored to startup and GMP manufacturing environments.
•    Partner with Engineering, EHS, and Quality to ensure seamless handoff from project construction to operational ownership.
•    Implement initial CMMS setup, emergency response plans, training curricula, and onboarding programs for site technicians and facility personnel.

Vendor and IFM Services Management
•    Drive performance of third-party vendors and integrated facilities management (IFM) services providers to ensure alignment with service level agreements (SLAs), cost expectations, and quality standards.
•    Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key service providers while maintaining cost-effectiveness, quality, and service continuity.

Budgeting, Cost Control, and Capital Planning
•    Develop and manage budgets for maintenance and facility services, including operational expenses, utilities, and capital expenditures.
•    Identify cost-saving opportunities, resource optimization strategies, and energy efficiency improvements.
•    Support capital project planning and execution related to facility infrastructure upgrades and equipment improvements.

Compliance, Safety, and Sustainability
•    Ensure full compliance with regulatory, environmental, health, and safety (EHS) requirements.
•    Conduct facility inspections, audits, and root cause investigations of safety incidents; implement corrective actions as needed.
•    Collaborate with EHS to drive sustainability initiatives such as energy conservation, recycling, and waste reduction programs.

Reporting and Performance Analysis
•    Monitor and analyze KPIs and metrics for both maintenance and facilities (e.g., equipment uptime, utility usage, response times, cost performance).
•    Provide reports to leadership and use insights to improve reliability, efficiency, and long-term planning.

Project Management and Execution

•    Lead facility and maintenance projects, including upgrades, installations, and improvements.
•    Manage timelines, budgets, resources, and deliverables to ensure smooth and compliant project completion.
•    Work closely with Engineering, EHS, Quality, and Manufacturing to align on project goals and reduce operational impact.
•    Manage documentation and compliance activities for projects affecting GMP areas and critical systems.
•    Manage relevant construction and operations needs related to support system startup and commissioning.

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 Supervisors and Facility Services Team

Education
•    Associate’s degree, or Bachelor's degree, in Engineering, Mechanical or Electrical.
•    Master’s Degree preferred.

Experience
•    Minimum of 5 years progressive experience in industrial maintenance management, including leadership roles; pharmaceutical manufacturing experience is a plus.
•    Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems.
•    Proficiency in CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) software.
•    Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
•    Proven ability to manage budgets and optimize maintenance costs.
•    Demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills. 
•    Experience with starting up and operating a biopharma manufacturing facility is a plus.

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.

Overtime and off-hours work is anticipated.

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

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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