Recruiting the Future

Recruiting the Future

A Bioscience Giant with Michigan Roots on Growing the Workforce

Forgive Ron Perry for being guarded when a stranger recently approached him at a gas station. Newly arrived in Michigan, Perry spent years working in East Coast towns where, let’s say such an approach would have been suspicious. As it turned out, the man was a local doctor who admired Perry’s car. They’ve since forged a strong friendship.

Perry, a Michigan State University alum who recently became the site leader for Pfizer Inc.’s manufacturing plant in Kalamazoo County, says that experience illustrates a key element in attracting life science employees to Michigan.

“The culture here is relational. That has a positive, tangible effect on people,” Perry says. “An attractive culture and environment are significant drivers to recruiting today’s workers.”

Recruiting is high on Perry’s to-do list as Pfizer grows its U.S. biopharmaceutical manufacturing presence to the tune of $5 billion, including a half-billion-dollar expansion in Michigan.

Trajectory for Growth

Headquartered in New York City, Pfizer’s legacy has deep Michigan roots through acquisitions of Parke- Davis and The Upjohn Company. The company’s footprint here changed over the years. In Rochester it operates a sterile injectable facility with about 100 people. Portage is home to Pfizer’s largest production site, which produces sterile injectable, liquid and semi-solid medicines, and active pharmaceutical ingredients for 113 international markets. It employs over 2,300 people.

That number will grow. In July, Pfizer announced plans to invest $465 million to build in Portage a new, class-leading sterile injectable pharmaceutical production facility. Expected to be completed in 2021, this facility will incorporate the most technically advanced aseptic manufacturing equipment, systems and design, including multiple, selfcontained modular manufacturing lines. It also raises the demand for highly skilled employees; Pfizer expects to need at least 450 new workers in the next few years.

“There’s a powerful talent war going on,” Perry says. “Other West Michigan companies are growing, too, including Stryker, Kellogg, Whirlpool, Perrigo, Steelcase, Denso and more. We’re competing for the same type of talent at a time of record-low unemployment. Further, we need to sustainably build our workforce to support the next generation.”

Redefining Career

Recruiting biopharmaceutical talent today requires a strategy much broader than competitive salaries.

“Challenging jobs and compensation are only part of the equation,” he says. “There are also other key decision drivers such as meaningfulness, fairness and equity, culture and environment, and a collaborative and social workplace.”

For years, the conventional wisdom held that a successful career involved college and eventually an office job. Options are much more diverse now.

“We have a huge need for people in skilled trades,” says Perry. “But there are fewer candidates due to multiple factors. This needs to be changed.”

Pfizer’s approach includes exposing young people to those careers. The Portage site recently hosted a group of students from disadvantaged households, and showed them opportunities that don’t require college degrees. The company also has a growing apprentice program and is exploring co-op initiatives.

Perry believes creative partnerships between industry, academia, government and nonprofits could drive more people toward high-tech manufacturing careers. “Together, we can raise awareness of what’s available, what’s needed for these jobs, and how to develop the right skills,” he says. “We can make opportunity visible and accessible to more people.”

Perry notes a caring and collaborative culture builds loyalty and commitment among colleagues. Additionally, he says today’s workers want to make a difference in the world.

“At Pfizer, we make medicines that save lives. We make medicines that give hope. It’s all about helping people,” says Perry. “I can’t imagine more meaningful work than that.”

No Compromise

As Pfizer grows its Michigan presence and prepares for its growth, Perry understands the need to build the depth of his bench strength.

“Making sterile pharmaceutical products is extremely complex,” says Perry. “Many production areas must be kept more sterile than operating rooms. The technologies we use are complicated. We must meet the evolving regulatory demands of every country where we do business. Patients trust us to deliver the highest quality medicines in every dose.

“This requires a committed workforce, know-how and efficiency,” he adds. “It comes down to our people. We need the best and most engaged, always, if we’re to meet our commitments to patients.

“We can’t, and we won’t, compromise any of that.” ■