Senior Manager, Automation (Onsite)

Location: Lynnwood,Washington,United States

SENIOR MANAGER, AUTOMATION (ONSITE)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Manager, Automation is responsible for hands-on support and troubleshooting as well as leading a team of automation engineers and external consultants, ensuring execution and availability of production systems at Partner Therapeutics’ (PTx) cGMP manufacturing plant.  PTx manufactures  Leukine® (sargramostim), a therapeutic glycoprotein at its Lynnwood, Washington facility.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Functional:

• Ensures capabilities and capacity are in place to effectively deliver on all departmental commitments and performance targets.
• Manages the support and troubleshooting of the PTx’s automation processes, implementation of software changes using cGMP systems, and timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Leads cross-functional efforts and provides subject matter expertise in the upkeep, maintenance, and operation of the manufacturing information network (equipment includes multiple networked Windows servers, historian databases, batch report generation system, network infrastructure, etc.)
• Leads cross-functional efforts and provides subject matter expertise in the upkeep, maintenance, and operation of the following control systems: Allen-Bradley PLCs, SLC 500 and Contrologix family with Controlnet, Devicenet, Ethernet, Modbus and Lontalk communications, AVEVA PI, SQL servers and other vendor-specific control systems using primarily iFIX 3.5 SCADA software and AB Panelview systems
• Follows cGMP standards and procedures to accurately document the operation and maintenance of equipment and systems in the cGMP production environment using the Asset Management System (AMS) database and other applicable data repositories.
• Recommends/specifies instrumentation for various processes at this facility. Works with the Manufacturing, Quality, Facility Services, and Production departments in representing the Engineering Automation department on cross-functional teams.
• Responsible for specification and design of implementations or modifications to automation and control systems for commercial and development manufacturing processes, equipment, and systems.
• Oversees equipment repairs, modifications, or installs by outside service contractors.
• Provides training to operations staff as required for new implementations and modifications and training of automation staff as needed in support of implementations and modifications.
• Participates in the development and prioritization of PTx’s Life Cycle Management Plan.
• Resolves issues by ensuring timely escalation to Leadership and cross-functional teams: Applies learning from these events and leads the creation of new/updated systems, processes, programs to prevent similar situations in the future.
• Through self-education and external networking/participation in industry and professional organizations keeps abreast of current industry trends, compliance requirements, and best-of-class technologies relating to area of responsibility. Actively applies learned best practices, knowledge, and benchmarking to PTx projects and solutions.
• Pursues participation or leads project teams outside normal course of work (i.e. “collateral duties”) as they become available to support personal growth, connection, and business needs.
• Adheres to all applicable regulations and requirements including compliance with internal SOPs, GMP, Health and Safety, WISHA/OSHA, regulatory compliance, company policies, and employment-related laws and statutes.
• Successfully completes all required Quality and Compliance training within required timeframes.

People Leadership:

• Builds, develops, inspires, motivates, and leads a diverse, professional team of Partners and external consultants. Sustains high performance that is strongly aligned and coordinated with other functional groups across the organization; ensures Partner engagement by creating a culture of inclusion, execution, and an environment within which they can excel and continuously improve.  
• Manages and develops the performance of direct reports by setting clear SMART goals, provides and seeks timely performance feedback, recognizes and rewards high achievers, and holds team members accountable for underperformance. Leads by example and promotes PTx’s core Values:  Learn, Prepare, Innovate, Collaborate, Lead to continually improve the Quality Culture at PTx. 
• Holds Team accountable for compliance to all safety and quality regulations, ensures all team members directly or indirectly support cGMP activities, and have the necessary education, knowledge, and skills to perform their job in accordance with ap