Director, Automation

Director, Automation at FUJIFILM Biotechnologies

FUJIFILM Biotechnologies is building the future of bioproduction in Holly Springs, North Carolina. By the end of 2025, we’ll open North America’s largest end‑to‑end CDMO biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility, offering drug substance production, fill‑finish, and packaging under one roof. We’re looking for passionate, mission‑driven people to help us realize this exciting vision and deliver the next vaccine, cure, or therapy. We offer a dynamic work environment and we’re proud to cultivate a culture that fuels purpose, energy, and drive—what we call Genki.

The Director, Automation is responsible for setting the direction and managing a central workstream in a $2 billion global project. This includes developing and executing plans to enhance operational efficiency, streamline processes, and leverage technology for improved performance. As the director, this role bridges the gap between technical expertise and business objectives to drive innovation, efficiency, and execution. Additionally, the role ensures that the right people are assigned to the right tasks and projects, providing challenge and enhancement to their skills.

• Develops and executes automation strategies that align with site goals, including Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) phase support, automation hyper care during ramp‑up to operations, production optimization, and streamlining processes
• Ensures that automation systems and processes comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) and other relevant regulations
• Oversees the selection, implementation, and management of automation technologies (e.g., PLC, SCADA, MES) and leads initiatives where partners have been pres elected
• Leads automation engineers and other team members by fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Encourages a culture of continuous learning and development, including real‑time feedback and coaching to ensure the team is positioned for growth
• Partners closely with Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality Assurance, and IT to ensure successful integration and implementation of automation solutions
• Manages the planning, execution, and delivery of automation projects, including technology transfer within established timelines and budgets
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives to enhance process efficiency and production quality with a cost‑conscious mindset
• Completes required administrative tasks (e.g., timecard approvals, expense reports)
• Evaluates team performance and partners with HR to proactively address and resolve gaps, implementing measures to improve productivity and engagement
• Participates in the recruitment process and partners with stakeholders to implement recruitment and retention strategies to secure high‑potential talent
• Performs other duties as assigned

• Ability to collaborate across the site and globally due to significant interface within the organization
• Excellent communication, both written and oral
• Strong technical expertise in relevant automation platforms, specifically DeltaV
• Ability to lead and coach a 20+ personnel engineering team within a matrixed organization
• Demonstrated ability to hire and develop technical talent to lead a high‑performing team and projects
• Ability to drive core team culture priorities (e.g., safety, GEMBA, leadership principles, cost‑consciousness) into the ways of working
• Ability to effectively present information to others
• Must be flexible to support 24/7 manufacturing facility

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related scientific field with 10+ years of related experience; or
• Master’s degree in engineering or related scientific field with 8+ years of related experience
• 6+ years’ experience managing, leading, and developing others
• 2+ years’ experience leading and developing other leaders
• Experience working in a changing, project‑driven organization
• Experience working in a CGMP facility and with FDA regulations

• Master’s degree in engineering or related scientific field
• 6–10 years’ experience in a pharmaceutical or biological manufacturing operation
• Previ…