Head of Engineering

Overview:

The Head of Engineering is accountable for the strategic leadership, reliability, compliance and lifecycle management of all engineering assets, infrastructure, utilities and capital programmes across Aspen SA Operations (Gqeberha).The role drives sustainable asset performance, GMP-compliant engineering systems, inspection readiness (FDA, SAHPRA, EU), and cost-effective infrastructure optimisation to support safe, efficient and future-ready pharmaceutical manufacturing operations.

Planning and Unit Management

• Provide timely technologically efficient support to the site for manufacturability, product cost, workflow, quality and safety
• Embed risk-based maintenance (RBM) and reliability-centred maintenance (RCM) methodologies.
• Lead obsolescence management for critical GMP assets and automation platforms.
• Ensure criticality-based spare parts strategy and resilience planning.
• Improve asset availability while reducing total cost of ownership.
• Ensure the maintenance of all process equipment and facilities, optimizing machine efficiencies
• Provide technical expertise including engineering support in the existing site as we all as new capital construction / installation activities
• Coordinate outside contract support for projects. Direct the operation of the site utilities, including technical responsibility for support of all manufacturing, laboratories, warehouses and office areas
• Confer with vendors to determine engineering specifications and arrange for purchase of equipment, materials or parts and evaluate activities according to safety, ergonomic specifications and quality standards
• Prepare, execute and oversee capital projects and budget as well as Plant Operating budget

  Engineering Services

• Design, implement and manage the maintenance of equipment, machinery, buildings, breakdown services, contractors and equipment
• Embed Engineering into site strategy, S&OP, and transformation agenda.
• Support product launches, tech transfers, and capacity expansions.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives (OEE, downtime reduction, cost optimisation).
• Act as collaborative partner to Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• Manage the design of Engineering Maintenance System
• Control all Engineering deviations in agreement with General Managers
• Manage site energy conservation efforts
• Manage calibration and preventative maintenance program
• Oversee and manage all site utilities and report on programs
• Maximise use of equipment and technology
• Oversee design and implementation of SOPs for all equipment and utilities Identify training needs to ensure user competence is current
• Manage compliance with inspection authority scrutinization

  Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Establish a capital governance framework ensuring strategic alignment, financial discipline, and regulatory compliance.
• Establish and maintain a GMP-compliant engineering management system aligned to FDA, EU, and SAHPRA expectations.
• Ensure facilities, utilities, equipment, and automation systems remain in a continuous state of inspection readiness.
• Chair capital prioritisation forums aligned to compliance risk, capacity, and cost optimisation.
• Oversee compliance within strategic and operating guidelines and policies for unit
• Ensure recordkeeping complies with legal requirements and provide input into changes to policies in this regard
• Implement risk-based contractor performance monitoring.
• Reduce operational and regulatory exposure from third-party service providers.
• Provide recommendations for development of risk-based compliance systems in order to improve overall compliance performance of the organisation and unit

  SHE

• Carry out any duty or requirement imposed on the company by the OHS Act and in accordance with your specific SHE appointment
• Ensure that all employees are informed of their scope of authority as contemplated in the OHS Act
• Take full responsibility and necessary measures to ensure that the requirements of the OHS Act are complied with by every person in your employment or on premises under your control where plant and machinery are produced
• Ensure that reasonably practicable steps are taken to identify, manage, eliminate or mitigate any hazard or potential hazards to the safety or health of employees, attached to any work performed, any article or substance produced, processed, used, handled, stored or transported and any plant, machinery which is stored or transported

  Innovation, Creativity & Problem Solving

• Regularly drive innovation across area(s) of responsibility and identifies opportunities to initiate operational change
• Work with broad objectives to solve complex problems for multiple families/ disciplines
• Apply advanced interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills

  Accountability and Decision Rights

• Develop, communicate, manage and implement corporate and divisional strategic plans and budgets, policies and procedures
• This role elevates Engineering to a risk-governed, compliance-anchored, capital-disciplined function that protects license to operate while unlocking…