Job ref: HE221025
Job type: Permanent
Location: Newry
Closing date: Tuesday 04 Nov 2025 13:00

Job Overview

Norbrook are recruiting for a Head of Engineering position. The successful candidate will lead and manage Norbrook’s capital investment programme and maintenance activities across all manufacturing facilities in Northern Ireland and Ireland and provide expert engineering advice to our global distribution sites and East Africa manufacturing operation. The successful candidate will also oversee the engineering and maintenance teams, including third-party contractors, ensuring strong performance and adherence to safety, quality, environmental / all regulatory and service standards. They will be accountable for the capital and maintenance budgets, driving value for money and budgetary compliance whilst identifying and implement process improvements, ensuring best-in-class safety, quality, and operational performance of all facilities and equipment.

Main Activities/Tasks

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the long-term engineering strategy aligning with business and operational goals, to drive continuous improvement, ensure optimal equipment performance, and support overall organisational objectives.
• Serve as a key member of the site leadership team, contributing to broader operational strategy and performance, with a focus on maintaining high standards for equipment reliability and operational efficiency.
• Live the values and demonstrate expected mindset and behaviours, casting the expected shadow of the leader

Engineering Maintenance Operations

• Provide leadership and oversight for the maintenance and optimisation and continuous improvement, of all production equipment, utilities, and facilities, ensuring maximum reliability and operational uptime across the organisation.
• Ensure full compliance with applicable regulatory and statutory requirements, including cGMP, health and safety, environmental standards, and relevant authority guidelines (e.g., VMD, MHRA, FDA).
• Implement and continuously improve a robust asset management system, integrating the appropriate mix of planned preventative, predictive reactive and autonomous maintenance practices to optimise equipment performance, lifecycle, and drive continuous operational improvements.

Essential Criteria:

• Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or related) and a minimum of 5 years of engineering management experience OR 10 years relevant engineering management experience
• Demonstrated success in managing large-scale capital projects and cross-functional teams.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory standards (e.g., GMP, FDA, EMA, VMD) and validation processes.
• Good knowledge and experience of asset management tools and techniques.
• Experience in sterile or aseptic manufacturing.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in the design, construction and maintenance of manufacturing or production facilities and related capital equipment in a complex, regulated environment
• Project and risk management expertise
• Deep understanding of engineering systems in pharma (HVAC, WFI, SCADA, CMMS)
• Financial acumen (budgeting, cost control)

Additional Information:

• Applicants should be able to provide proof that they have a right to work in the UK at the time of their application. Applicants who are unable to provide this proof will not be considered.
• We regret that applications received after the closing date and time will not be accepted.
• We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of a Visa at this time.

Norbrook Laboratories Limited employs a workforce with members of all sections of the community and is committed to appointing people purely on the basis of merit. In accordance with our equal opportunities policy, we would particularly like to welcome applicants from the Protestant Community.

To Apply Please forward your CV via the APPLY Now button below.