Director, Automation Lead Asia, GSQ, Japan

• Own and drive region APAC automation strategy and leadership for assigned manufacturing sites, acting as the recognized senior authority and primary automation counterpart to site leadership, and ensuring strong strategic alignment with Global Automation strategy and governance.

• Define and own the region APAC automation deployment strategy, enabling effective adoption of Global Automation standards, programs, and best practices across the region, ensuring consistency, compliance, and sustainable execution.

• Govern and take strategic ownership of automation delivery for capital projects and site initiatives within the region, ensuring adherence to global guidelines, timely execution, and alignment with lifecycle strategies.

• Act as the recognized senior escalation authority and region APAC interface for automation topics, driving site performance, risk management, and continuous improvement across the APAC network.

• Own, shape, and represent Global Automation strategy, standards, and governance at region APAC level, ensuring consistent interpretation, strategic alignment, and adoption across assigned sites.

• Act as strategic implementation lead for Global Automation initiatives within the region, partnering with sites and global functions to deploy standards, innovative programs, and best practices effectively.

• Drive the definition and evolution of Global Automation programs, strategy, standards, and governance documentation, providing strategic region APAC and site-level input to ensure practical applicability, scalability, and alignment with manufacturing needs.

• Hold accountability for the automation scope of Global Engineering–managed capital projects (>10 OY) within the region, ensuring compliance with global guidelines, delivery milestones, and budget expectations.

• Provide region APAC oversight and technical governance for site‑managed automation projects (<10 OY), ensuring alignment with global standards and lifecycle principles.

• Support and guide site automation roadmaps and long‑term strategies, ensuring integration of global automation solutions and alignment with region APAC and network priorities.

• Identify, promote, and scale site‑originated innovation and best practices, enabling structured transition to globally governed solutions where approved.

• Support region APAC execution of site cybersecurity, asset management, and obsolescence programs, ensuring alignment with global automation and risk‑management frameworks.

• Act as escalation authority for complex automation issues, risks, and deviations within the region, coordinating expert resolution with global automation functions as required.

• Lead and develop region APAC and global Automation Communities of Practice, fostering a strong region APAC network, alignment, transparency, and continuous improvement across sites and functions.

• Provide strategic leadership of the region APAC automation network and virtual team, coordinating and aligning multiple site automation leads to ensure cohesive execution of global and region APAC priorities.

• Serve as the recognized senior authority for APAC automation performance, accountable for region APAC automation maturity, capability development, and performance outcomes.

Education & Experience

• Degree in Automation, Electrical, Chemical, or related Engineering discipline, with extensive experience in industrial automation within pharmaceutical or life‑science manufacturing environments.

Behavioural & Leadership Competencies

• Strong influencing and communication skills; structured problem‑solving; sound judgment; ability to operate effectively in complex, global, matrixed organizations.

Professional & Functional Skills

• Broad knowledge of automation platforms, project environments, GxP compliance, and lifecycle governance; strong stakeholder management capability; experience supporting region APAC or multi‑site operations.