{"id":2322496,"url":"https://alion.io/job/vwr-senior-director-global-engineering","title":"Senior Director, Global Engineering","company":{"id":11686,"name":"Vwr","domain":"vwr.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/vwr","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":null,"truth_index":null},"role":"Leadership","role_family":"Leadership","seniority":"head","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"remote","remote_scope":"stated_countries","remote_scope_basis":"inferred_payroll_markers","remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"inferred","locations":[],"countries":[],"hiring_countries":["US"],"hiring_countries_total":1,"salary":{"min":167500,"max":282325,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":282325},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":15,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-12T04:34:14Z","employer_posted_date":null,"last_verified_at":"2026-10-12T04:34:14Z","board_verified":false,"closed_at":null,"days_open":1,"trust":{"level":"not_scored","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":1},"description":"The Opportunity:The Senior Director, Global Engineering provides strategic and operational leadership across Avantor’s global engineering organization, driving excellence in capital project execution, site engineering, process and discrete automated manufacturing systems, digital transformation, and EHS/PSM compliance. This role ensures world-class engineering capabilities that enable safe, reliable, scalable, and digitally enabled operations across a global network of manufacturing and filtration sites.\nIn collaboration with the VP, PMO of Operations and L3 team will establish and develop the strategy for the global engineering function, translating enterprise priorities into functional objectives, operating models, and execution frameworks. The role owns and governs diversified global capital programs, including complex engineering and operational programs up to $50M and major plant builds, site expansions, and large-scale infrastructure projects up to $150M. These investments are critical to Avantor’s long-term growth and operational performance, directly impacting capacity, technology adoption, and manufacturing footprint strategy.\nOne of the core mandates of this role is the development and application of new technology to drive improved Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) consistently across manufacturing sites, enabling predictable production output, reduced variability, and enterprise-wide operational consistency.\nThis role requires enterprise-level thinking, conceptual reasoning, and independent judgment. Decisions are often made in ambiguous conditions where outcomes depend on both quantitative analysis and intangible factors such as risk, organizational alignment, and long-term business impact. The incumbent operates with significant autonomy, frequently making non-traditional or innovative decisions that influence the function over a multi-year horizon.\n\nRemote role with 25% travel \nKey Responsibilities\nGlobal Engineering Leadership\nDefine and execute the global engineering strategy aligned with Avantor’s growth objectives, operational excellence standards, and sustainability goals.\n\nTranslate strategy into functional objectives, governance structures, and execution roadmaps across a multi-site engineering organization.\n\nEstablish global engineering standards, design principles, and best practices to ensure consistency, scalability, and compliance.\n\nServe as a key member of the operations PMO leadership team, influencing enterprise decisions related to manufacturing footprint, capacity, and technology strategy.\n\nCapital Projects and Industrial Expansion\nOwn and govern a global capital portfolio, including Programs up to $50M (process improvements, automation upgrades, equipment installations, and operational initiatives) and Capital projects up to $150M (new plant builds, major expansions, and large-scale infrastructure investments)\n\nEnsure disciplined execution across the full project lifecycle: concept development, FEED, design, execution, commissioning, and handover.\n\nLead front-end engineering design, and execution of major capital investments.\n\nDrive cross-functional alignment (operations, supply chain, quality, EHS, finance) to ensure delivery against scope, schedule, budget, and business case KPIs.\n\nEnsure capital decisions are evaluated with a long-term strategic lens, balancing risk, return, and enterprise impact.\n\nDigital Transformation, Automation, and IT/OT Strategy\n\nEstablish global standards and upgrade strategies for automation systems, applicable to both existing and next-generation equipment.\n\nDrive integration of manufacturing systems with enterprise digital platforms, enabling real-time visibility, analytics, and data-driven decision-making.\n\nPartner with IT, digital, and cybersecurity teams to ensure secure, resilient, and future-ready architectures.\n\nDeploy Industry 4.0 technologies, advanced analytics, and smart factory solutions to modernize operations.\n\nOperational Excellence and OEE Performance\nDevelop and implement global asset lifecycle and reliability strategies to improve uptime, maintainability, and cost efficiency.\n\nDrive enterprise-wide improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) across sites to enable predictable production output.\n\nLeverage digital tools, connected systems, and advanced analytics to identify variability, improve performance, and standardize outcomes.\n\nLead the development and application of new technology to enhance OEE and operational predictability.\n\nPartner with site leadership to implement Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.\n\nLead root cause analysis and systemic corrective actions for major operational and safety events.\n\nProcess Engineering and Manufacturing Systems\nProvide technical leadership in discrete assembly & fill, chemical processing, scale-up, and optimization within regulated environments.\n\nGuide design and deployment of discrete automated manufacturing systems, including robotics, PLC/SCADA, MES integration, and advanced controls.\n\nEnsure processes are robust, validated, and compliant with GMP, ISO, and customer requirements.\n\nSupport modernization of manufacturing capabilities through automation, digitalization, and advanced process control.\n\nEHS and Process Safety Management (PSM)\nEnsure project compliance with Process Safety Management (PSM), including hazard studies (PHA, HAZOP), mechanical integrity, and management of change (MOC).\n\nEnsure engineering designs meet or exceed all regulatory and corporate safety standards.\n\nEmbed inherent safety and risk-based decision-making into engineering strategy and execution.\n\nEnsure containment, safe design, and environmental stewardship are integral to all capital and operational decisions.\n\nStrategic Decision-Making and Functional Leadership\n\nAddress multi-dimensional problems by adapting methods and approaches in the absence of defined procedures or precedent.\n\nWork on issues impacting current performance and future-state capabilities, including next-generation manufacturing concepts.\n\nEvaluate complex situations where outcomes depend on both data and intangibles such as stakeholder alignment and organizational impact.\n\nExercise independent judgment in defining methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria.\n\nDecisions have critical, long-term impact on the function and enterprise success.\n\nPeople Leadership and Organizational Development\nLead, coach, and develop director-level and managerial talent across the global engineering organization.\n\nBuild and sustain a strong pipeline of technical and leadership talent aligned to future business needs.\n\nResponsible for workforce planning, including hiring, staffing, and resource allocation to ensure execution capability.\n\nHolds full people management authority, including hiring, firing, promotion, and reward decisions in accordance with corporate guidelines.\n\nLead one or more functional areas through subordinate directors and managers, ensuring accountability for overall performance.\n\nFoster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.\n\nAct as a visible leader across regions, reinforcing alignment and organizational capability.\n\nCross-Functional and Global Collaboration\nCollaborate with operations, quality, supply chain, regulatory affairs, and commercial teams to support enterprise objectives.\n\nManage relationships with external partners, including EPC firms (Engineering, Procurement, Construction), vendors, equipment suppliers, and technology providers.\n\nBalance global standardization with regional flexibility to meet regulatory and market requirements.\n\nInfluence and align diverse stakeholders across geographies, often requiring persuasion and executive-level communication.\n\nQualifications and ExperienceRequired\nBachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Operations (or related discipline).\n\n15+ years of progressive engineering and operations leadership experience in chemical, life sciences, pharmaceutical, or similarly regulated environments.\n\nDemonstrated experience leading global engineering organizations and capital portfolios, including Programs up to $20M and plant builds and expansions above $100M\n\nStrong background in process engineering and discrete automated manufacturing systems.\n\nProven expertise in Process Safety Management (PSM) and regulatory compliance.\n\nExperience managing new plant builds, large-scale expansions, and brownfield transformations.\n\nTrack record of building and leading high-performing technical and leadership teams.\n\nPreferred\nMaster’s degree preferred in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or an MBA.\n\nPMP certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) preferred.\n\nExperience in multi-site global organizations with complex supply chains.\n\nExposure to digital manufacturing, IT/OT integration, MES, EBR systems, and advanced controls.\n\nPrior responsibility for engineering budgets, capital allocation, and portfolio governance.\n\nFamiliarity with GMP, ISO 9001/13485, and other regulated quality systems.\n\nCore Competencies\nStrategic Functional Leadership and Enterprise Strategy Execution\n\nCapital Portfolio Ownership and Long-Term Impact Thinking\n\nDigital Manufacturing and IT/OT Integration\n\nOperational Excellence and OEE Performance Management\n\nEngineering and Technical Mastery\n\nDecision-Making Under Complexity and Ambiguity\n\nOrganizational Design and Workforce Planning\n\nTalent Development and Leadership Coaching\n\nGlobal Collaboration and Executive Influence\n\nRisk-Based and Forward-Looking Judgment\n\nDisclaimer:The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.\nWhy Avantor?Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.\n\nThe work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.\n\nWe are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!\nPay Transparency:The expected pre-tax pay for this position is \n$167,500.00 - $282,325.00Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.\nEEO Statement:We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.\nIf you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.\nFor more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.\nPrivacy Policy:We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in o...","description_format":"text","description_chars":13485,"description_truncated":true,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":15,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Parental leave","Wellness"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Laboratory Equipment","CRO & CDMO Services"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-12T06:31:50Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":1,"expected_fill_days":28,"reasons":["seen:1","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-10-13T05:45:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":282325,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/vwr-senior-director-global-engineering","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/vwr-senior-director-global-engineering.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-13T20:27:20Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":31471,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-14T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":11686},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=11686"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fvwr-senior-director-global-engineering"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fvwr-senior-director-global-engineering"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fvwr-senior-director-global-engineering"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/vwr-senior-director-global-engineering\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fvwr-senior-director-global-engineering"}]}