Novartis plans to build three new manufacturing facilities, expand an existing site and create a flagship U.S. hub capable of producing medicines from active ingredients to final packaging entirely within the country.

This development is significant for North Carolina’s economy - but it also carries major implications for the construction sector, particularly industrial, manufacturing and life sciences builders.

Below, we break down what the project means for the market, what it signals for future labour demand and how specialist recruitment support will be key as competition for talent increases.

Why This Expansion Matters for Construction

1. Life sciences construction demand is accelerating

North Carolina is already one of the fastest-growing biopharma construction markets in the United States. With Novartis joining a wave of recent expansions from Eli Lilly, Fujifilm Diosynth and Thermo Fisher - demand for construction expertise in the life sciences sector will only intensify.

Over the next 24 months, general contractors and developers can expect strong competition for:

• Life sciences project managers

• MEP superintendents

• Cleanroom and controlled-environment specialists

• QA/QC leaders with FDA-regulated experience

• Industrial, tilt-wall and advanced manufacturing superintendents

• Scheduling, commissioning and validation talent

These projects are highly specialised, tightly regulated and extremely schedule-driven—meaning companies can’t afford hiring delays.

2. Large-scale, multi-facility developments create long-term labour needs

Because Novartis is building multiple facilities at once, contractors will require teams that can deliver:

• Concurrent project schedules

• Complex utility and mechanical coordination

• High-spec pharmaceutical infrastructure

• Large, diverse subcontractor groups

• Fast-track sequencing and commissioning

This isn’t a one-and-done project. The hub will continue expanding through 2027 and beyond, meaning contractors will need to secure stable, senior leadership to deliver consistently over several years.

3. Competition for skilled construction talent will increase

These new facilities come at a time when the construction labour market is already stretched. Many industrial and pharmaceutical contractors are running projects in multiple states, making retention and strategic recruitment critical to maintaining delivery capacity.

With Novartis also expanding in California, New Jersey, Indiana, Texas and Florida, the demand for experienced life sciences builders nationwide is set to rise sharply. Companies that don’t get ahead of hiring will feel the pressure quickly.

How We Support Construction Hiring for Life Sciences & Manufacturing Projects

This wave of biopharma development is great for the industry - but challenging for firms trying to secure the right talent.

That’s where we support our clients.

We help contractors and developers hire:

• Superintendents (industrial, MEP, pharmaceutical, cleanroom)

• Project Managers & Senior PMs

• Construction Managers & Directors

• QA/QC specialists

• Commissioning professionals

• Preconstruction & estimating leaders

• Project executives with regulated-industry experience

Our consultants understand the unique demands of building FDA-regulated, sterile manufacturing, and complex pharmaceutical environments. We’ve placed senior leaders on projects across North Carolina and the wider East Coast.

If you require support with your hiring needs and would like explore our portfolio of high-quality candidates, email us at info@wesearchpeople.com