Head of Operations Engineering Maintenance

About us

Based in Parma, Italy, Chiesi is an international research-focused pharmaceutical and healthcare group with over 85 years’ experience, operating in 30 countries with more than 6,000 employees (Chiesi Group). To achieve its mission of improving people’s quality of life by acting responsibly towards society and the environment, the Group researches, develops and markets innovative drugs in its main therapeutic areas: Discover more here

We are proud to be the largest global pharmaceutical group to be awarded B Corp Certification, a recognition of high social and environmental standards. We are a reliable company that adopts and promotes a transparent and ethical behavior at all levels.

We believe that the success of Chiesi is built and shaped by our people and our strong set of shared Values and Behaviors. Our people make a critical difference to our success, which is why it is vital that we attract and retain the right talent who will continue to enrich our culture by living and breathing our values and behaviors.

We are committed to embrace diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities. In fact, we are a global family made up of different cultures, different genders, generations, ethnicities, abilities, sexual identities and many other enriching diversities. 

Chiesi Global Manufacturing Division

Chiesi Group has three production plants:

Parma (Italy), the strategic hub for the production and distribution of our products, serving as an international supply center with exports to over 80 countries. Here, solid medicines such as tablets and dry powders for inhalers, solutions and suspensions for inhalations and sterile suspension vials for endotracheal administration are produced.

In 2024, a new Biotech Centre of Excellence has launched in Parma. The new facility is dedicated to developing and producing monoclonal antibodies, enzymes, and other proteins.

Blois-La Chaussée Saint Victor plant (France), a center of excellence specializing in the production of Dry Powder Inhalers and Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs). The site manages direct distribution to customers in the French market and exports to other markets, effectively meeting both local and international needs.

Santana de Parnaiba (Brazil), specialized in the production of pressurized solutions and suspensions for inhalation therapy (pMDIs). Additionally, it has an area dedicated to nasal sprays for the European market. Santana produces pressurised solutions and suspensions for inhalation therapy (MDI).

In 2025, a new investment in Nerviano (Italy) has been announced with the construction of a new facility which will be primarily dedicated to manufacturing carbon minimal inhalers (reinforcing the company’s commitment to both patients’ health and sustainable healthcare solutions), dry powder inhalers and sterile biological products.

Who we are looking for

Purpose

We are seeking an experienced Head of Operations Engineering Maintenance to oversee maintenance, process engineering, calibration, and spare parts warehouse functions, while ensuring compliance with GMP and readiness for external inspections, for our new site in Nerviano (Milan).

Main Responsibilities

Process equipment Maintenance for respiratory, sterile and packaging areas

• Define, implement, and monitor both preventive and corrective maintenance strategies.
• Plan and control the annual maintenance budget, tracking deviations and implementing corrective actions to align costs with organizational goals.
• Oversee maintenance teams to ensure high equipment uptime and cost-effective operations.
• Lead root-cause analysis for recurring failures and drive continuous improvement.

Process Engineering

• Optimize production processes using lean methodologies and best practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve cycle times, energy usage, quality, and cost.
• Manage process documentation and support automation opportunities

Calibration

• Supervise calibration of measurement instruments and production equipment.
• Ensure compliance with GMP/internal standards, ISO requirements, and regulations.
• Implement calibration schedules in coordination with quality and production teams.

Spare Parts Warehouse

• Manage procurement, reception, inventory control, and distribution of critical spares.
• Establish and track KPIs (stock turns, fill rate, obsolescence).
• Work with procurement, maintenance, and suppliers to optimize inventory and reduce costs.

Regulatory Inspections

• Serve as the primary interface for regulatory and external inspections concerning maintenance, calibration, and engineering activities.
• Ensure full compliance with Seveso III (Directive 2012/18/EU, implemented in Italy via D.Lgs 105/2015) for sites handling dangerous substances
• Ensure full compliance, audit-readiness, and timely implementation of corrective actions following inspections.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technicians, and support staff.
• Foster a proactive, accountable, and excellence-driven culture.
• Handle coaching, career development, performance reviews, and succession planning.

Systems & IT Management

• Oversee CMMS
• Manage work order planning, issue tracking, and maintenance analytics.
• Promote digital transformation initiatives.

Experience Required

≥10 years in operations engineering/maintenance roles, ideally in regulated (GMP) industries 

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related).

Certifications: Lean/Six Sigma, calibration, maintenance, or project management credentials appreciated.

Languages

Fluent in Italian; proficiency in English is a strong plus.

Technical Skills

• Proven hands-on experience in maintenance and process engineering.
• Solid understanding of calibration and spare part logistics.
• Proficient in CMMS
• Budgeting: Demonstrated ability to plan and manage departmental budgets .
• Regulatory Compliance: Strong GMP knowledge; experienced in handling inspections

Soft Skills

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Strong leadership, team-building, and cross-functional communication.
• Skilled in managing multiple priorities and driving change.

What we offer

You would join a dynamic, fast-growing, challenging and friendly environment.
In Chiesi we firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, that is why we invest in continuous training, learning and development. Therefore, we strive to continuously promote and satisfy development needs, paying particular attention to the quality of our working environment and to collective well-being.
We want our people to come to work happy every day, and we know how important it is to find the right work-life balance in order to be able to give our best. That is why we offer flexible working approach, remote working, support in the relocation process, tax assistance service for foreign colleagues and many other people-care services.