Specialist, Shutdown Coordinator

About the role

As the Specialist Shutdown Coordinator, you will oversee facility-related activities and projects during shutdowns, ensuring safety, budget compliance, and timeliness. You will coordinate planning, scheduling, and vendor activities across departments, monitor maintenance, validation, and quality tasks, and address any issues promptly. Additionally, you will conduct compliance and safety audits, ensure timely documentation, and adhere to department goals, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Ferring is a privately-owned, biopharmaceutical company pioneering life-changing therapies that help people build families and live better lives. With over 70 years of commitment to science and research, Ferring drives powerful discoveries and therapies to combat disease. The company is recognized as one of “The World’s Most Innovative Companies” by Fast Company and is Great Places to Work® Certified.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the end-to-end shutdown process, ensuring execution and accountability at every stage.
• Ensure all relevant staff and departments are informed of construction and maintenance activities, maintaining clear communication regarding utility shutdowns.
• Collaborate with the Maintenance Leadership Team, Validation, Quality, and Operations to develop a comprehensive shutdown schedule using Microsoft Project or similar software.
• Create and oversee a shutdown planning action list, ensuring its timely execution.
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders, including Maintenance and Production Team Leaders, Reliability Coordinators, and Operations Leadership.
• Identify and recommend opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and purchasing policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Evaluate and challenge the asset planning and coordination strategy before and during shutdowns.
• Drive a culture change within the plant to establish preparatory work required before scheduled equipment downtime.
• Chair the daily shutdown planning coordination meeting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of experience, preferably in engineering.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in an FDA-regulated environment.
• Demonstrated strong project management skills.
• Comprehensive background in cGMP principles and concepts.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and general familiarity with Windows. SAP experience is a plus.
• Expert understanding of regulations governing supported processes and systems.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills to interact with team members at all levels, vendors, and departmental stakeholders.
• Highly self-motivated and detail-oriented, with a keen attention to detail.
• Capacity to quickly identify and address issues during shutdown activities, making timely decisions to ensure smooth progression.
• Strong leadership abilities with a high level of personal and departmental accountability.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to make informed decisions regarding quality and compliance-related matters with minimal oversight.
• Strong organizational skills to coordinate and prioritize tasks effectively, manage multiple responsibilities, and ensure shutdown activities stay on schedule.
• Ability to remain focused under pressure, especially during critical phases of the shutdown process.
• Customer-oriented mindset with a commitment to quality.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move around the manufacturing facility to oversee shutdown activities, inspect equipment, and communicate with team members.
• Ability to work long hours and potentially irregular shifts during shutdown periods, which may involve extended periods of standing, walking, and physical activity.
• Adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.

Pay

The base salary range for this role is $77,000 to $98,000. Additional compensation includes competitive annual incentive targets in the form of an annual bonus, based on individual and company performance.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, and vision) with a premium differential inversely related to base salary.
• 401k plan with company match.
• Short and long-term disability coverage.
• Basic life insurance.
• Wellness benefits.
• Reimbursement for certain tuition expenses.
• Sick time accrual of 1 hour per 30 hours worked.
• Vacation time accrual for full-time employees: up to 120 hours in the first four years of employment, and 160 hours in the fifth year.
• 15 paid holidays per year.
• Paid parental leave, subject to a minimum period of employment at Ferring.

Schedule

This position is classified as a hybrid role, requiring onsite work at the Parsippany office four days per week and remote work one day per week.

Location: Parsippany, New Jersey