Francesco Felicetti
Parma
Overview
3
3
Languages
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Vice President, Manufacturing and Engineering
CHIESI GROUP
Italy / Global
01.2026 - Current
- Overall responsibility for manufacturing performance and Manufacturing P&L across the network.
- Define and execute the Long-Term Capital Plan (LTP) and CAPEX strategy, with approximately €250 million of annual capital expenditure and a €1.5 billion long-term investment portfolio.
- Defined and executed Long-Term Capital Plan (LTP) and CAPEX strategy, managing €250 million in annual capital expenditure and a €1.5 billion long-term investment portfolio.
- Define long-term manufacturing strategy, capacity development and industrial transformation priorities.
- Drive network performance, operational robustness, manufacturing efficiency and cross-site integration.
- Lead major industrial development and site transformation programs
- Led major industrial development and site transformation programs, aligning them with strategic growth initiatives.
- Connected manufacturing, engineering, capital investment, and financial performance to support long-term business objectives.
Vice President, Global Engineering
CHIESI GROUP
Italy / Global
01.2024 - 01.2026
- Led the global Engineering function across the international manufacturing network.
- Led major engineering, capital investment and industrial transformation programmes across the international network.
- Restructured and strengthened the Global Engineering organization, operating model and governance.
- Strengthened engineering capability, organizational effectiveness and strategic alignment between Engineering and Manufacturing.
- Developed global engineering standards, governance and long-term capital planning processes.
- Initiated a €500 million greenfield industrial development programme.
- Served as Managing Director of the company established to acquire a manufacturing site in Milan.
Vice President, Bio & Device Engineering
GSK
Global
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Led Engineering for Bio and Device manufacturing activities across an international network of 12 manufacturing sites.
- Provided engineering leadership for major capital investment, manufacturing technology and compliance programmes.
- Managed approximately €400 million of annual CAPEX across sites in Italy, Spain, France and the United States.
- Led international multidisciplinary engineering organizations and external engineering partners.
- Provided strategic direction on engineering investment, manufacturing capability and industrial development.
Global Engineering Lead, Biopharma Secondary Sites / Head of Global Project Directors
Global
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Led global engineering and capital project activities for Biopharma Secondary Manufacturing, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
- Governed capital programmes from strategic planning and business case development through execution, commissioning and handover.
- Governed capital programmes from strategic planning and business case development through execution, commissioning, and handover, facilitating successful project delivery.
- Managed complex international programmes involving multidisciplinary teams, external engineering partners and multiple stakeholders.
- Led projects and programmes across France, the United Kingdom and Japan.
- Provided governance and strategic oversight of major capital investments and industrial development programmes, enhancing project visibility and stakeholder engagement.
Head of Engineering and Digital
GSK Parma Site
Parma, Italy
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Led major restructuring and expansion of the manufacturing site to support new products.
- Managed €60 million annual CAPEX to align investments with strategic priorities.
- Led restructuring and expansion of manufacturing site, facilitating introduction of new products.
- Managed approximately €60 million of annual CAPEX.
- Defined and initiated site's digital transformation programme, enhancing operational capabilities.
Site Director, GSK Vaccines Siena
GSK Vaccines Siena
Siena, Italy
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Site Director for a major vaccine manufacturing operation with approximately 500 employees.
- Oversaw manufacturing operations, site performance, and organizational leadership to ensure compliance and operational effectiveness.
- Directed manufacturing, engineering, and support functions to align with strategic initiatives.
- Managed operational performance and site transformation priorities to enhance regulatory compliance and operational readiness.
Head of Strategy and PMO
GSK Vaccines Siena
Siena, Italy
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Led strategy, PMO, and transformation initiatives at site level, aligning with organizational goals.
- Led a major efficiency programme across an organization of approximately 350 employees.
- Enhanced organizational and operational efficiency through targeted product and process optimization efforts.
- Established governance and performance management for strategic programmes.
- Collaborated with leadership to translate business priorities into actionable operational and transformation plans.
Head of Site Engineering
GSK Vaccines Siena
Siena, Italy
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Led a site Engineering organization of approximately 200 people.
- Managed approximately €40 million of annual CAPEX.
- Restructured and transformed manufacturing site to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Delivered new production lines and established manufacturing infrastructure to support growth.
- Led technology transfer programmes from other GSK manufacturing sites.
- Managed site engineering investment priorities and executed capital projects to align with strategic goals.
Engineering and IT Director
NOVARTIS VACCINES
Siena, Italy
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Directed major investments in automation and manufacturing technology.
- Restructured and modernized primary production areas to enhance operational capabilities.
- Directed major investments in automation and manufacturing technology to advance production efficiency.
- Led restructuring and modernization of primary production areas.
- Led engineering and technology initiatives that transformed manufacturing performance and operational processes.
Global Engineering Director
KEDRION
Italy / United States / Hungary
01.2009 - 01.2013
- Led global engineering strategy to facilitate international expansion of Italian pharmaceutical organization.
- Led the acquisition and transformation of a manufacturing site in Long Island, New York.
- Supported the international expansion of manufacturing capabilities through new facilities and industrial investments.
- Directed major greenfield development programmes in the United States and Hungary.
- Coordinated international engineering resources and external partners for major capital programmes.
- Supported development of international industrial footprint extending from Italian manufacturing base.
Engineering Manager, Parma Site
GSK
Parma, Italy
01.2006 - 01.2009
- Led site engineering and capital project activities to enhance manufacturing operations.
- Managed approximately €20 million of annual CAPEX.
- Delivered new manufacturing departments and production areas to support operational growth.
- Developed site infrastructure and capital plan to align with strategic operational goals.
- Managed project execution, engineering resources and external contractors.
Engineering Manager
PFIZER
Ascoli Piceno, Italy
01.2002 - 01.2006
- Led engineering and capital project execution to enhance capabilities in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Managed major investments in utilities and primary manufacturing infrastructure to support operational efficiency.
- Delivered new manufacturing areas and site infrastructure projects, improving overall production capacity.
- Led Project Managers and technical teams.
- Oversaw project execution, commissioning, qualification, and technical handover.
- Managed capital projects from planning through implementation and operational handover.
Industrial Engineering | SAP Projects | Operational Excellence | COGS | Supply Chain | Warehouse Operations
Italy
01.1997 - 01.2002
- Progressive experience across industrial engineering, SAP projects, operational excellence, COGS, supply chain and warehouse operations, providing an early foundation across manufacturing, cost management, business processes and industrial operations.
Education
Master's Degree - Electronic Engineering
Engineering
Bologna, Italy01-1997
Skills
- Senior international industrial executive with 25 years of experience in manufacturing, engineering and strategy, with a proven track record in €1B capital investment portfolios and major industrial transformations Brings a strong combination of technology, operations and financial perspective to support long-term strategic investment and industrial value creation
LANGUAGES
Italian: Native
English: Fluent / Professional
French: Scholastic
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Italy | United Kingdom | France | Spain | United States | Hungary | Japan | South America
Timeline
Senior Vice President, Manufacturing and Engineering
CHIESI GROUP
01.2026 - Current
Vice President, Global Engineering
CHIESI GROUP
01.2024 - 01.2026
Vice President, Bio & Device Engineering
GSK
01.2023 - 01.2024
Global Engineering Lead, Biopharma Secondary Sites / Head of Global Project Directors
01.2021 - 01.2023
Head of Engineering and Digital
GSK Parma Site
01.2019 - 01.2021
Site Director, GSK Vaccines Siena
GSK Vaccines Siena
01.2018 - 01.2019
Head of Strategy and PMO
GSK Vaccines Siena
01.2016 - 01.2018
Head of Site Engineering
GSK Vaccines Siena
01.2014 - 01.2016
Engineering and IT Director
NOVARTIS VACCINES
01.2013 - 01.2014
Global Engineering Director
KEDRION
01.2009 - 01.2013
Engineering Manager, Parma Site
GSK
01.2006 - 01.2009
Engineering Manager
PFIZER
01.2002 - 01.2006
Industrial Engineering | SAP Projects | Operational Excellence | COGS | Supply Chain | Warehouse Operations
01.1997 - 01.2002
Master's Degree - Electronic Engineering
Engineering