Head of Utility and Infrastructure

Summary

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in a highly regulated manufacturing operation, leading utilities and infrastructure performance across the site. Beyond day-to-day operations, you'll help shape long-term asset and energy strategies, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and work closely with senior stakeholders to ensure the site remains safe, compliant, and future-ready.

Key Responsibilities

• Utility Operations Leadership — Oversee critical utility systems to maintain uninterrupted plant operations while embedding strong safety and quality practices.
• Energy & Cost Performance — Drive energy efficiency programs and cost reduction initiatives aligned with corporate sustainability goals.
• Maintenance & Reliability Management — Lead maintenance strategy, reliability engineering, and contractor oversight to ensure high quality execution of utility and infrastructure activities.
• Compliance & Project Support — Maintain audit readiness, uphold GMP expectations, and contribute to site expansion and capital projects.
• Technical Governance — Represent the site in corporate forums related to facility zoning, clean utilities, and technical standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Chemistry, or Pharmacy.
• Advanced proficiency in English and Japanese (Native or N1/N2 level)

Experience Requirements

• 3+ years in utilities or infrastructure management within industrial or regulated environments.
• Background in GMP-regulated industries strongly preferred.
• Experience working in international teams , capital projects , and contractor management .

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of HVAC , purified water, compressed air, and energy systems.
• Knowledge of maintenance and reliability tools (preventive/predictive maintenance, RCA, FMEA).
• Familiarity with GMP , qualification/validation activities, and compliance frameworks.
• Exposure to energy management and sustainability practices.
• Ability to integrate EHS requirements into daily operations.

Leadership & Behavioral Competencies

• Effective cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong ownership mindset with a focus on operational continuity.
• Data-driven problem solving and continuous improvement orientation.

DURATION

Full-time, Permanent role

LOCATION

Yamagata, Japan

(Relocation support is available)

ABOUT PLANET PHARMA

Planet Pharma is an American parented Employment Business/Agency that provides global staffing services with its head-quarters in Chicago and our EMEA regional office located in Central London. We have invested significantly in creating a robust international platform that enables us to work compliantly in 30+ countries with a current network of 2500+ active contractors globally as well as a very strong permanent / direct hire recruitment offering.

Our specialist knowledge and close relationships with our clients and the wider industry really makes us unique in our field. Just recently we were recognized by FORBES as the 17th best professional staffing firm, and have won multiple awards from industry accredited bodies for our commitment to excellence and service delivery. We have extensive functional expertise including: Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, QA, QC, Submissions experts, Clinical development, Quality, Biostatistics, and Medical Affairs / Writing.

We are an equal opportunities Recruitment Business and Agency. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

www.planet-pharma.com

TO APPLY

Please click ‘apply’ or contact Edessa Tanafranca (Recruiter III - APAC) at Planet Pharma for more information:

Email: etanafranca@planet-pharma.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edessatanafranca/