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)
PMO Setup, Governance & Controls
Pharmaceutical & Cleanroom Facilities (EU-GMP, FDA, Annex 1)
CAPEX / TOTEX Planning & Control
Process improvement
Leadership skills
Project coordination
Root-cause analysis
Meeting facilitation
Requirements gathering
Task delegation
Stakeholder management
Quality control
Risk analysis
Multi-tasking skills
Project scheduling
Requirements analysis
Customer focus
Worksite safety
Employee coaching
Agile development
Effective work breakdown structure
Risk management
Client relations
Scope management
Report writing
Effective project management
Organization skills
Project regulations
Risk management skills
Collaborative mindset
Purchasing and procurement
Cost management
Innovation skills
Industry expertise
Critical design review
Lean principles
Cost control
Critical path analysis
Milestone management
Project development
Budget mastery
Project feedback data
Problem-solving
Decision-making
Agile methodologies
Time management abilities
Status updates
Performance monitoring
Team leadership
Time management
Team building
Continuous improvement
Analytical skills
Self motivation
Goal setting
Budget control
Organizational skills
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