Equipment Manager

Job Description

Job Description

About Company:

JC Automation Corp. (JCA) was founded in 1997 with the mission of filling a gap between technology and regulatory requirements in the life science manufacturing industry. The company offers highly capable resources at an affordable cost to build solutions and execute projects in: Automation, Control Systems Integration, Information Technology, System Integration and Regulatory Compliance.

JCA is a HUBZone Certified Small Business Firm, NMSDC Certified Minority Business Enterprise, and Certified Critical Industry Supplier. It’s mission is to add value by delivering quality services & solutions on time all the time by transforming processes & technology into business advantages.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The PM / WPO Equipment Manager is a combined project-management and work-package-owner role responsible for delivery of major equipment packages from vendor design through factory acceptance, site delivery, field installation, and turnover to C&Q. The role carries both PM-side accountabilities (scope, budget, schedule, vendor performance, design integration, FAT/SAT) and WPO-side accountabilities at the work-face (daily field execution, contractor / installer leadership, HSE, productivity, and system-by-system turnover). Each variant focuses on a specific equipment family but carries the same core accountabilities. This is an Owner representation role that supports in ensuring design, construction execution and quality are adhered to and set up for successful system turnover.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support designer, contractor and procurement with equipment package end-to-end: scope, budget, schedule, vendor performance.
• Support the Owner Furnished Equipment Owners for successful design, delivery, storage and installation.
• Support DVLs in vendor design reviews, hold-point inspections, and FAT planning/execution.
• Coordinate equipment design integration with the Design Interface Manager and BIM Coordinator.
• Validate Design and CMs logistics: shipping, receiving, rigging, set-in-place, and protection during construction.
• Support equipment installation with the assigned PM, WPO Leads, and Lead Construction Manager.
• Lead SAT planning and execution coordination with C&Q and the System Turnover Lead.
• Manage vendor change orders, claims, warranty terms, and spare-parts strategy.
• Ensure compliance with GMP design expectations, materials of construction, and 3-A / ASME BPE where applicable.
• Support and oversee field execution of the equipment installation work package; lead the vendor's and installer's site teams in delivery.
• Drive HSE engagement at the work-face: pre-task plans, JHAs, SSoW review, field safety walks, BeyondZero/LIFE program reinforcement.
• Coordinate with contractor and other vendors on daily and weekly look-ahead planning, set-in-place sequencing, and crew productivity for equipment installs.
• Partner with Construction Quality Leads to enforce inspection and test plans, hold points, and quality gates on the equipment package.
• Manage RFIs, field changes, and design clarifications through the Design Verification Leads.
• Track and report progress (earned value, install quantities, productivity ratios) per the Project Controls cadence.

Discipline-Specific Variant Notes

• ASRS: Automated Storage and Retrieval System for materials/finished goods — modular construction integration, vendor and installer management (Swisslog, or equivalent), controls/SCADA tie-in, set-in-place and field commissioning.
• SDD: Sterile Drug Delivery (or Spray Dry Dispersion) — sterile processing skids, isolators, filling/packaging lines; stringent GMP and aseptic-design controls in both vendor design and field install.
• OSD: Oral Solid Dosage — granulators, blenders, tablet presses, coaters, packaging, and associated containment systems.
• Equipment (general / vendor packages): Non-discipline-specific major equipment and vendor packages — process and utility skids, lab/warehouse equipment, and other equipment-vendor packages supporting not covered by the ASRS, SDD, or OSD variants.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Industrial Engineering.
• 12+ years of pharma/biotech capital project experience; 5+ years managing major equipment packages from FAT through SAT.
• Discipline-specific experience: ASRS — material handling and automation; SDD — sterile/aseptic equipment; OSD — solid dosage manufacturing equipment; Equipment — broad equipment / vendor-package portfolio.
• Strong vendor management, contract administration, and FAT/SAT discipline.
• Field-execution credibility: prior superintendent or WPO experience on equipment set-in-place / installation campaigns; OSHA 30 minimum.
• Working knowledge of GMP, ASME BPE (where applicable), 3-A standards, and validation expectations.
• English required.

Preferred

• Spanish preferred.

SKILLS

Technical Skills

• Vendor management, contract administration, and change order / claims / warranty management.
• FAT/SAT planning and execution, hold-point inspections, and design review coordination.
• GMP, ASME BPE, and 3-A compliance for equipment design and materials of construction.
• Field execution of equipment installation: rigging, set-in-place, logistics, and productivity tracking.
• Inspection and test plan enforcement, quality gates, and RFI / field change management.
• Progress tracking and reporting (earned value, install quantities, productivity ratios).

Soft Skills

• Leadership of vendor and installer site teams.
• Cross-functional coordination with Design Interface Manager, BIM Coordinator, C&Q, and System Turnover Lead.
• HSE engagement and safety culture reinforcement at the work-face.
• Effective communication in English (Spanish preferred).