Process Permitting

Role overview

This position sits within Lilly’s new next-generation biotech drug substance manufacturing facility in Limerick, Ireland. The site is being developed as a highly advanced manufacturing environment with modern technologies and data platforms designed to strengthen safety, quality, productivity, and process consistency.

The permit authoriser is responsible for providing safety leadership and specialist oversight for the full permit-to-work programme at the Limerick site. The role follows shift patterns based on business requirements.

What you will do

You will draft, assess, and authorise a wide range of permits for work taking place on site. The role also includes reviewing task hazards and control measures, checking worker competence and access permissions, and making sure work is planned and executed safely without disruption or environmental impact.

• Prepare, examine, and approve permits such as general permit-to-work and risk assessment, line break and lock-out, high-energy hot work, low-energy hot work, red tag, confined space entry, excavation, and critical lifts.
• Prepare, review, and submit permits for HSE or management approval where required, including live electrical work and special conditions permits.
• Assess task hazards and controls to confirm work can be completed safely and without incident.
• Confirm that personnel carrying out the work are qualified and competent for the task.
• Check that workers have the correct access permissions for the area in which they will operate.
• Ensure the scope of work has been clearly communicated to everyone affected by the activity.
• Verify that the work area is safe, and that workers understand the hazards, controls, and quality requirements for the area.
• Confirm there are no environmental concerns or business interruptions associated with the permitted task.
• Draft, review, and approve equipment-specific instructions (ESIs).
• Review and approve risk assessments, method statements, equipment certification, and related documentation to support safe task execution.
• Ensure all contractor companies and workforce members are marked as qualified on the SafePermit Portal before work is requested on site.
• Act as permit authoriser for small projects and small construction projects under Lilly Limerick control.
• Support emergency response activities.
• Assist with scheduled maintenance and corrective maintenance work.
• Take part in HSE committees, site audits, incident investigations, and Bsafe observation investigations.
• Support HSE inspections, audits, and programme reviews.

What you need

• FETAC Level 6 trade qualification or an equivalent credential.
• At least 4 years of GMP manufacturing experience, ideally within the pharmaceutical or biotech sector.
• At least 5 years of experience in operations, engineering, maintenance, or technical support.
• Practical experience using computer systems such as DeltaV and MES, along with automated recipe-driven processing.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership abilities.
• High attention to detail, plus solid technical and problem-solving capability.
• Ability to follow written and spoken instructions accurately.
• Strong organisation skills, including the ability to prioritise quickly when needed.
• Some overtime may be required.
• Deep commitment to safety-first, quality-always ways of working.
• Good knowledge of safety processes and the ability to embed them into daily tasks.
• Proven self-management, planning, and prioritisation skills.
• Initiative to act proactively and carry tasks through.
• Sound understanding of site areas, equipment, processes, and operations.
• Ability to work cross-functionally across operations, FUME, laboratories, and logistics.
• High learning agility, adaptability, and comfort working through ambiguity and uncertainty.
• Strong problem identification and solution development capability.
• Ability to respond constructively to issues as they arise.
• Trusted team player who follows through and welcomes feedback.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships at all levels of the organisation.
• Capability to lead and motivate others in a team setting.
• Strong influence skills across peers and different functions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in one-to-one and group settings.
• Sound judgement and the ability to make well-informed decisions.
• Ability to gather the right information and ask the right questions to reach the best solution.

Equal opportunity and accommodation

Lilly supports candidates with disabilities and is committed to providing equal opportunities for applicants. If you need workplace accommodation for the application process, a dedicated accommodation request form is available for assistance. Lilly also states that it does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.