Overview
Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.
Director Capital Project Engineering (m/f/d) - EMEA, Canada and Pakistan
The Opportunity: This position works out of our Neustadt am Rübenberge site, Abbott Laboratories GmbH in the Established Pharmaceuticals division. The Director Capital Project Engineering (m/f/d) – EMEA, Canada and Pakistan will act as the functional leader within the assigned regions for Engineering, Capital Management and responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and governance of capital projects, ensuring alignment with Abbott’s global standards, compliance with regulatory requirements, and delivery of sustainable, cost-effective facilities and infrastructure. For the Established Pharmaceutical Division (EPD) sites in the assigned region, it is a main leadership role for the following areas:
* Strategic leadership: Define and implement regional capital project strategies aligned with Abbott’s global pharmaceutical business objectives, including capability building and a consistent approach towards development
* Project portfolio management: Oversee multi-site capital projects, including new facility builds, expansions, and technology upgrades
* Cross-functional collaboration: Partner with Global Engineering Service (GES), manufacturing, quality, EHS, supply chain, finance, and regulatory teams to ensure project success
* Governance & compliance: Ensure adherence to GMP, health & safety, environmental, and local regulatory standards
* Budget & resource management: Manage multimillion-dollar budgets, optimize resource allocation, and deliver projects on time and within scope
* Innovation & sustainability: Drive adoption of advanced engineering practices, digital tools, and sustainable design principles
* Talent development: Build and mentor a high-performing engineering team across EMEA, Canada and Pakistan
* Establish and lead Climate change/energy conservation strategy for EPO and deliver sustainability investments to achieve Abbott 2030 & 2050 goals through site surveys, investment, and SME support. Support EHS directors with EPD energy reporting and target setting
* Driving standardization and leading critical processes which span across multiple regions
* Ensure Highly Protected Readiness status across the sites in the assigned regions through a critical oversight of Engineering, facilities, Utilities, critical systems
Core Job Responsibilities
* Implement world-class processes to manage and provide visibility into Abbott's capital assets, including capital budget allocation and planning, capital project management and capital asset management to improve financial and business performance. Roll out divisional Maintenance & Energy Management
* Embed maturity system with site assessments and site roadmap to achieve maintenance and sustainability excellence
* Implement capital management process, R&R, instruments for capital allocation and tracking of projects
* Roll out Engineering capability building program in Advanced Data Analytics, Energy, water Systems & Maintenance Excellence
* Capital Planning – Work with the assigned regions and plants to develop the capital plan, ensuring projects match the business plan and that cost and scope are well defined to add the project to the plan
* Front End Planning / Project Development – Verify that adequate engineering is done pre-RCE to ensure the project will be successful from a scope, schedule and functionality point of view so it meets the business objectives of the RCE
* Roll out resources for supporting ad hoc commissioning or troubleshooting for machine performance at key third party manufacturers in the assigned region
* Identify opportunities for productivity initiatives that systematically improve operational execution and deliver value before further capital is invested
* Establishes and performs a robust, regular capital investment planning process in line with strategic plans including cash flow planning to meet EPD objectives
* Defines in close collaboration with the assigned regions standards and governance including maturity assessments, benchmarking exercises and identifies opportunities to leverage synergies and best practice sharing to maximize value
* Maintains global engineering, productivity, sustainability and quality metrics (KPIs) to ensure optimum efficiency and quality, and develops a reporting process across the regions to utilize the metrics which drive operational improvements
* Creates cohesive, collaborative, cross-functional teams and fosters a culture of customer-centricity and continuous operational improvement
* Leads, inspires, and develops a talented team that supports the strategic and future needs of the business through Engineering TMR (ETMR) and Engineering Development Program (EDP)
* Ensure rollout of serialization technology ahead of future regulations
Qualifications
* Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or related field); Master’s preferred
* Experience: 12+ years in capital project management / Engineering / Energy Management / Hygienic design / Process design / i4.0, with at least 8 years in leadership roles within the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry
* Global exposure: Proven track record managing projects across multiple geographies and cultures
* Technical expertise: Strong knowledge of GMP, pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, and facility design. Required to understand and advocate technical solutions
* Leadership skills: Ability to influence senior stakeholders, manage diverse teams, and drive organizational change; high performing and results-driven with a strong personal performance mindset
* Financial acumen: Expertise in capital budgeting, ROI analysis, and risk management
* Communication: Excellent presentation and negotiation skills in English; additional languages such as German, Dutch or French are an asset
* Experience in project management, coaching and change management
* Experience in production/manufacturing sites
* Successfully managed Engineering function in production or development fields
* Conceptual and strategic thinker with relevant experience at production/manufacturing site level to deploy meaningful organizational responses, programs and actions
* Track record in Project Management with the ability to challenge through facts and figures
* Proven ability to work within a matrix organization in a fast-paced, demanding environment with cultural awareness
* Strong ability to network and collaborate across functions
* Travel: Ability to travel approximately 25%
Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
We ask for your understanding that we only consider online applications via our online application portal. Original documents will not be returned.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-
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