Assoc. Dir, HVAC

Role Summary

Associate Director HVAC: The HVAC Associate Director leads and develops a team supporting HVAC operations and system infrastructure at the Rahway, NJ campus. This role ensures HVAC systems comply with regulatory standards (e.g., FDA, cGMP), maintain optimal environmental conditions for product quality, and support continuous operations. The ideal candidate has strong technical expertise in HVAC design, maintenance, and validation within a highly regulated environment, plus leadership skills to manage teams.

Responsibilities

• The HVAC operations team for daily operations, troubleshooting, and optimization of HVAC systems for commercial office buildings and pharmaceutical laboratories at the Rahway, NJ site.
• Develop, implement, and maintain HVAC operational strategies ensuring compliance with GxP and other regulatory requirements.
• Operate site BAS and HVAC control systems; oversee site operations through data analytics.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for HVAC system reliability, energy efficiency, and compliance.
• Lead root cause analysis and CAPA related to HVAC system failures or deviations.
• Monitor environmental compliance, HVAC reliability, maintenance programs, system efficiency/cost, energy optimization; provide technical support to partners, facility owners and engineering project/capital teams.
• Manage team development and performance; evaluate staffing, labor strategies, and coordinate with external service providers to address operational needs.
• Manage hourly unionized staff and administration of contracts.
• Promote safety leadership principles and advocate for safety programs.
• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and regulatory changes affecting HVAC operations in pharmaceutical environments.
• Prepare and present reports to senior management on HVAC status, risks, and improvement initiatives.
• Develop and manage operating expenses within approved budget.
• Identify capital projects and provide input to HVAC site utility master plan and capital construction projects.
• Ensure administration of company policies; ensure staff are trained and practice safe operating procedures.
• Ensure compliance with safety, health, environmental, GxP, DOT, labor, HR, and other applicable requirements; coordinate with outsourced providers to meet service levels within budgets/SLA targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor‚Äôs degree in engineering or related field with equivalent experience.
• Working knowledge of EHS and cGxP practices.
• Minimum 7 years of maintenance/engineering/facilities leadership experience.
• Proficiency in HVAC system functionality and familiarity with utility generation equipment (electrical distribution, clean utilities, etc.).
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Understanding of maintenance processes and systems.
• Experience with collective bargaining units and execution of a CBA.
• Leadership across competing priorities; ability to develop, motivate, and manage cross-functional teams with internal staff and external providers.
• Ability to navigate challenges and influence across the enterprise.

Skills

• Adaptability, Capital Projects, Compliance Assurance, CMMS, Digital Transformation, Energy Efficiency, GMP Compliance, HVAC Systems, KPI, Maintenance Management, Maintenance Processes, Project Management, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Requirements

Education

• Bachelor‚Äôs degree in engineering or related field with equivalent year's experience