SUHAIB SHAKARNA
PMO Director
Dubai
Summary
Senior Project & Facilities Management Executive with 18+ years of progressive leadership experience across pharmaceutical, cleanroom, industrial, and complex infrastructure projects. Proven expertise in end-to-end project lifecycle management (Concept to Handover), PMO governance, CAPEX/TOTEX control, and operational excellence. Founder of the Facility Management function at Julphar, responsible for establishing and sustaining state-of-the-art, cGMP-compliant pharmaceutical facilities. Recognized for blending strategic leadership with deep technical execution, leading multidisciplinary engineering teams trained by internationally recognized cleanroom system providers, and delivering large-scale projects across MENA, Europe, and Africa.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Head of Projects & Facilities Management
Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries – Julphar
04.2017 - Current
- Executive leader responsible for enterprise-wide project delivery and facilities management for one of the region’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers. Lead in-house multidisciplinary engineering teams and external consultants across complex sterile, solid, API, and biotechnology facilities.
- Founded and institutionalized the Facility Management Department, transforming FM into a strategic business function supporting operational continuity, compliance, and asset lifecycle optimization.
- Provide PMO-level governance across a portfolio exceeding AED 700 million, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy, risk controls, and investment optimization.
- Lead cleanroom-intensive projects with teams trained by internationally recognized cleanroom system providers, ensuring design and execution aligned with latest GMP and Annex 1 requirements.
- Delivered the region’s largest Insulin API facility (USD 170M), fully compliant with global regulatory standards.
- Directed Julphar 2030 strategic expansion program across UAE and KSA, including new sterile, solid, QC, warehouse, and administration facilities.
- Executed and governed international pharmaceutical projects across KSA, Germany, Ethiopia, Algeria, Egypt, and Jordan.
- Led structural rehabilitation of legacy assets, extending lifecycle while maintaining live operations and EHS compliance.
- Oversaw procurement strategy, contractor selection, FIDIC-based contracts, claims management, and cost optimization.
Associate Director / Senior Manager / Projects Manager / Projects Engineer
Julphar
01.2008 - 01.2017
- Progressed through technical and leadership roles, managing construction of sterile, API, semi-solid, and solid dosage facilities. Built foundation in cleanroom execution, regulatory compliance, and international project delivery.
Project Engineer
Faris Bagaen Engineers & Consultants – Jordan
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Managed full project lifecycle for building and infrastructure projects, including design coordination, construction supervision, procurement, and stakeholder management.
Education
MBA - Project Management
Jaipur National University
Jaipur, India07-2022
Certified Facility Manager (CFM) - undefined
IFMA
01.2022
BSc - Civil Engineering
Al-Balqa’ Applied University
02-2005
Skills
Project & Program Management (End-to-End)
CORE VALUE PROPOSITION
- - Dual-strength leader combining PMO governance with hands-on execution
- - Expert in cleanroom technologies, sterile facilities, and cGMP environments
- - Founder and architect of enterprise-wide Facility Management systems
- - Trusted leader for high-risk, high-value international pharmaceutical projects
- - Strong commercial, contractual (FIDIC), and procurement leadership
- - Ability to translate strategy into executable, compliant, and sustainable assets
PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY
A rare combination of strategic PMO leadership and deep technical execution capability. Recognized for building organizations, not just projects—creating sustainable facilities, high-performing teams, and compliant pharmaceutical assets that stand the test of time.
Timeline
Head of Projects & Facilities Management
Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries – Julphar
04.2017 - Current
Associate Director / Senior Manager / Projects Manager / Projects Engineer
Julphar
01.2008 - 01.2017
Project Engineer
Faris Bagaen Engineers & Consultants – Jordan
01.2005 - 01.2008
Certified Facility Manager (CFM) - undefined
IFMA
MBA - Project Management
Jaipur National University
BSc - Civil Engineering
Al-Balqa’ Applied University