Case Study
£300 million Pharma Plant Project
Client: CPI (Centre for Process Innovation)
Project: £300 Million Pharma Plant
Role: Procurement and Contract Manager
Duration: November 2023 – May 2024
Project Overview
DMA was part of a team appointed to provide multi-disciplinary design services for a cutting-edge Pharma Plant in Scotland, valued at £300 million. The project is part of a larger initiative spearheaded by CPI and includes collaboration between industry leaders such as GSK, AstraZeneca, the University of Strathclyde and Scottish Enterprise. The plant aims to advance pharmaceutical research and development, enabling academics, research scientists and manufacturing partners to leverage state-of-the-art equipment and knowledge for innovation in medicines manufacturing.
Nicky’s role as Procurement and Contract Manager involved overseeing the commercial management of subcontractors, managing the procurement of vital equipment and subcontract packages and resolving claims and disputes, ensuring the project’s financial success and smooth progression.
Project Scope & Responsibilities
As Procurement and Contract Manager, Nicky’s responsibilities included:
Commercial Management of Subcontractors: Overseeing the performance, financials and contractual obligations of subcontractors involved in the project, ensuring they delivered high-quality work in compliance with the project's requirements.
Procurement of Equipment & Subcontract Packages: Leading the procurement process for essential pharmaceutical equipment and services, selecting vendors and contractors based on quality, cost-effectiveness and alignment with the project’s goals.
Claims & Dispute Management: Handling any claims and disputes arising between subcontractors and stakeholders, resolving issues quickly to keep the project on track and avoid disruptions to the timeline or budget.
NEC 4 Contract Administration: Administering contracts using the NEC 4 framework, managing change requests and ensuring compliance with both the financial and technical requirements of the project.
Key Challenges & Solutions
Complex Procurement Process: Procuring highly specialised pharmaceutical equipment and services required extensive market research and negotiation. Nicky worked closely with stakeholders to ensure all purchases met stringent industry standards while maintaining cost efficiency.
Managing Subcontractor Performance: With multiple subcontractors involved in this complex project, effective performance monitoring and contract compliance were crucial. Nicky implemented a structured reporting and monitoring process to ensure deadlines were met and subcontractors adhered to agreed standards.
Dispute Resolution: Claims and disputes are inevitable in large-scale projects, but early intervention was key to minimising their impact. Nicky successfully resolved these disputes through mediation and effective contract management, preventing escalation and ensuring continued progress.
Results & Impact
Successful Procurement and Subcontractor Engagement: All major procurement activities were completed on time, ensuring that critical equipment and services were delivered without delay. Subcontractors were effectively managed, ensuring adherence to quality standards and cost control.
Claims & Dispute Resolution: By addressing claims early and using structured negotiation processes, Nicky was able to resolve disputes amicably and without litigation, maintaining good relationships between all parties.
Project Advancement: BakerHicks is set to deliver the design for this innovative facility by RIBA Stage 3, which will then be tendered for the design and build phase. The Pharma Plant will help to drive Scotland’s pharmaceutical sector forward, creating jobs and attracting further investment in research and development.
Conclusion
This £300 million pharmaceutical plant project showcases DMA’s ability to deliver on complex, multi-disciplinary projects in highly regulated environments. As Procurement and Contract Manager, Nicky’s role in managing the commercial and procurement aspects was key to keeping the project on track, resolving disputes and ensuring compliance with financial and technical standards.
The project will provide a cutting-edge facility for pharmaceutical research and development, fostering collaboration across academia, industry and manufacturing, bolstering Scotland’s position as a hub for pharmaceutical innovation.