Associate Director, Laboratory Automation and Operations

Role Summary

Associate Director, Laboratory Automation and Operations. This position has departmental responsibility for providing reliable, safe, and efficient operations and maintenance of AbbVie’s automated laboratory systems. Lead the daily operation of automation capabilities through continuous systems monitoring and resolution of issues. Collaborate with stakeholders during new equipment and new process introductions. The Automation and Laboratory Systems leader is responsible for designing and implementing strategic technical capabilities and initiatives to assure consistent service delivery according to departmental needs.

Responsibilities

• Propose, implement, and sustain the department information and automation systems strategy and roadmap in alignment with department objectives and SM CMC R&D strategies.
• Develop and revise project plans and budgets, work with stakeholders to understand complex problems and focus on bringing issues to resolution, escalating as necessary to meet timelines.
• Understand current department systems design and partner with key stakeholders (Global Engineering, BTS, Quality Systems, Global Automation, Infrastructure Services, and Operations) together with department leadership to deliver ‚Äòfuture proof‚Äô ideas and cutting-edge technology solutions to ensure ongoing effectiveness of laboratory automation capabilities.
• Lead departmental objectives by developing strategic roadmaps for automation and laboratory operations. Accountable for automation long term strategic delivery to department leadership team on an ongoing basis
• Provide guidance, technical advice, planning, and project management within SM CMC and with outside functions, consultants, and vendors. Support to laboratory areas in daily operations.
• Work closely with the Global BTS organization in the evaluation and implementation of software to enable current and future automation capabilities. Support global SM CMC R&D software and configuration required for lab automation system interfaces such as NEST, Dotmatics, Empower, Chromeleon, SAP, LIMS, and Maximo.
• Ensure technology systems compliance with Data Security, Data integrity and Regulatory Standards are maintained across automation activities in SM CMC R&D.
• Establish and execute a lab renovation strategy for SM CMC R&D that enables delivery of the portfolio of today and the portfolio of the future.
• Establish and manage a high performing staff by recruiting, training, coaching, and developing employees, communicating job expectations, and appraising their performance in support of AbbVie‚Äôs Talent philosophy.
• Assure fulfillment of environmental, health, and safety (EHS) requirements and compliance obligations, promote continuous improvement, and consider EHS aspects during design and change processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor‚Äôs degree in engineering or computer science, master‚Äôs degree is preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive work experience in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry required. Minimum of five (5) years managing leading high-level technical teams and scientists.
• Working knowledge of automation systems such as Hamilton, Unchained Labs, Mettler-Toledo, Emerson DeltaV DCS, OSI PI Historian and other automation and data acquisition systems.
• Experience building and executing strategic plans for capital and expense at the department level.
• Exposure to Industry 4.0 technology pillars such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented reality, big data, IOT, and vertical & horizontal integration of systems preferred. Knowledge with Business Intelligence and Data Visualization applications preferred.
• Solid understanding of pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing processes, including operational best practices and regulatory expectations.
• Knowledge and industry experience exposure to FDA, GXP, GMP, 21CFR11, safety and environmental legislation.
• Capable of handling multiple priorities. Financial acumen and managing budget experience.
• Demonstrated expertise and practice in Automation Engineering and adoption of connecting enterprise IT / OT systems to laboratory systems/processes required including successfully running a large global initiative or large capital project.
• Ability to manage and support laboratory infrastructure in conjunction with global teams.

Skills

• Automation engineering
• Project management
• Strategic planning
• System interfaces (NEST, Dotmatics, Empower, Chromeleon, SAP, LIMS, Maximo)
• Regulatory compliance (FDA, GMP, 21CFR11)
• Data security and integrity
• Leadership and staff development

Education

• Bachelor‚Äôs degree in engineering or computer science; Master‚Äôs preferred