Fire Protection Program Manager

Abbott

About The Position

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. JOB DESCRIPTION: The Corporate Engineering (CE) organization is looking for an experienced and motivated individual to serve as Fire Protection Program Manager. This opportunity is for someone who wants to positively impact the organization in a meaningful role that applies advanced engineering knowledge and experience, combined with a disciplined project management approach, to deliver business solutions that span across divisions and regions. A part of Global Engineering Services (GES), Corporate Engineering exists to support Abbott’s businesses and help them drive sustainable growth and margin improvement. Corporate Engineering does this by planning, designing and deploying Facilities, Utilities & Infrastructure projects with excellence, by means of strong talent, best practices, resourcefulness, and experience. The GES/CE Fire Protection Program Manager role significantly contributes to that mission by leading and executing engineering activities across a broad set of responsibilities as outlined below. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES The Fire Protection Program Manager is an engineering professional who, working with little or no supervision, applies advanced scientific and engineering knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to complete complex assignments related to the Fire Protection Engineering discipline. A Fire Protection Program Manager has full knowledge of other related disciplines beyond their own. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to: Technical / Design: Benchmarks internally and externally. Independently executes or directs others in the design of facilities/utilities/infrastructure systems, by applying novel and proven engineering concepts and techniques. Performs detailed analysis, communicates across functions and disciplines, and serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in design reviews. Project Management: Identifies, plans and executes projects of varying degrees of complexity within engineering specialty, requiring custom risk-managed execution plans. Works with the client and cross-functional stakeholders to establish scope, cost and schedule on multiple projects. Independently performs economic analysis and feasibility studies related to complex and often multiple competing project alternatives. Manages multiple projects, often concurrently, maintaining project controls and reporting for scope, cost and schedule. Responsible for achieving the projects’ financial targets in support of business objectives. Problem Solving / Innovation: Creates or coordinates design solutions for novel or complex problems focusing on cost-benefit, integrating regulatory needs (e.g. NFPA, Fire Code, Building Code, and Factory Mutual (FM) requirements) and operational needs (e.g. processes, materials, and people requirements). Structures studies to address cross-disciplinary and cross-functional issues and arrive at optimal solutions. Organizational Interface: Mentors others by sharing technical knowledge and providing guidance. Where appropriate, provides tasks and project assignment opportunities for employee development and evaluates performance. Represents the organization as the prime technical contact, interacting with senior management and external parties on complex technical matters often requiring coordination between organizations. Conveys information effectively through formal and informal means including proposals, reports, design documentation, and presents to senior executive leadership. Submits articles for internal or external publication. Compliance: Responsible for compliance with applicable Corporate and Divisional policies, procedures, and standards for Quality, Environmental, Health, Safety and Energy (EHS&E), Abbott Engineering Standards (AES), and other governance areas as applicable. Additional Responsibilities May Include: Responsible for all matters pertaining the Fire Protection Engineering discipline as the global SME. Participates in internal cross-divisional teams to develop new, or revise existing, procedures and standards, and provides training. Directs the efforts of others such as engineers, technicians and outside resources. Crafts and submits Requests for Capital Expenditures (RCEs), safety/quality checklists, executive presentations, and projects financial reports. Resolves problems and crisis situations requiring assertive decisions and hands-on rapid implementation, by leveraging technical training and experience. Represents engineering on corporate and division initiatives.

Requirements

B.S. degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline is required.
M.S. degree in Fire Protection Engineering is required if B.S. degree is not in Fire Protection Engineering.
Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) is required.
Minimum of 12 years of experience in the design and deployment of fire protection solutions across building facilities and utilities systems.
Mastery of applicable codes, including NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), NEC (National Electrical Code), IFC (International Fire Code), IBC (International Building Code), and other local, national, and international regulatory requirements.
Experience with Fire Prevention/Detection/Suppression, Risk Management, and Loss Prevention.
Experience with fire protection systems including gas, water, pre-action, foam, and clean agent.
Experience with seismic bracing of fire protection systems.
Experience with underground fire mains, lead-ins, piping, and thrust blocks.
Experience with flammable liquids and hazardous materials storage, and maximum allowable quantities.
Experience with warehouses including flue spacing, high density storage, in-rack sprinklers, and commodity classifications.
Experience with Performance-Based Design (PBD) approach.
Experience with Life Safety and Egress analysis.
Experience with fire alarm, smoke detection, and smoke control systems.
Experience with Factory Mutual (FM) requirements, Plan Reviews, and inspection reports/responses.
Experience assessing the design and performance of fire protection and life safety systems on existing facilities, identifying gaps versus regulatory requirements and AES, and developing remediation plans.
Experience supporting construction and commissioning testing of fire protection and life safety systems.
Excellent leadership, problem-solving, interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in MS Project/Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook, AutoCAD, SAP, Smartsheet, and Bluebeam.
Proven track record of successful execution throughout the entire project lifecycle: Feasibility –> Concept –> Design –> Construction –> Commissioning & Qualification –> Turnover –> Closeout.
Commitment to safety, quality and regulatory compliance.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license is a plus.
SFPE or NFPA membership is a plus.
Experience with fire/explosion protection on manufacturing processes is desired but not required.
Experience in regulated industries (e.g. medical device, pharmaceutical, or nutritional)

Responsibilities

Benchmarks internally and externally.
Independently executes or directs others in the design of facilities/utilities/infrastructure systems, by applying novel and proven engineering concepts and techniques.
Performs detailed analysis, communicates across functions and disciplines, and serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in design reviews.
Identifies, plans and executes projects of varying degrees of complexity within engineering specialty, requiring custom risk-managed execution plans.
Works with the client and cross-functional stakeholders to establish scope, cost and schedule on multiple projects.
Independently performs economic analysis and feasibility studies related to complex and often multiple competing project alternatives.
Manages multiple projects, often concurrently, maintaining project controls and reporting for scope, cost and schedule.
Responsible for achieving the projects’ financial targets in support of business objectives.
Creates or coordinates design solutions for novel or complex problems focusing on cost-benefit, integrating regulatory needs (e.g. NFPA, Fire Code, Building Code, and Factory Mutual (FM) requirements) and operational needs (e.g. processes, materials, and people requirements).
Structures studies to address cross-disciplinary and cross-functional issues and arrive at optimal solutions.
Mentors others by sharing technical knowledge and providing guidance.
Where appropriate, provides tasks and project assignment opportunities for employee development and evaluates performance.
Represents the organization as the prime technical contact, interacting with senior management and external parties on complex technical matters often requiring coordination between organizations.
Conveys information effectively through formal and informal means including proposals, reports, design documentation, and presents to senior executive leadership.
Submits articles for internal or external publication.
Responsible for compliance with applicable Corporate and Divisional policies, procedures, and standards for Quality, Environmental, Health, Safety and Energy (EHS&E), Abbott Engineering Standards (AES), and other governance areas as applicable.
Responsible for all matters pertaining the Fire Protection Engineering discipline as the global SME.
Participates in internal cross-divisional teams to develop new, or revise existing, procedures and standards, and provides training.
Directs the efforts of others such as engineers, technicians and outside resources.
Crafts and submits Requests for Capital Expenditures (RCEs), safety/quality checklists, executive presentations, and projects financial reports.
Resolves problems and crisis situations requiring assertive decisions and hands-on rapid implementation, by leveraging technical training and experience.
Represents engineering on corporate and division initiatives.