The actual location of this job is in Visp, Switzerland. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates and their families, if needed.

Join our growing Ibex™ Solutions team in Visp and play a key leadership role in advancing innovative biologics manufacturing. As Associate Director, Manufacturing Downstream Processing (DSP), you will lead a high-performing operational team, drive manufacturing excellence, and contribute to the successful delivery of life-changing therapies for our customers and patients worldwide.

This is a fully site-based role. Working together in person supports close, real-time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.

What you will get

• An agile career and dynamic working culture.

• The opportunity to lead a highly skilled, multidisciplinary manufacturing team within a growing biologics manufacturing environment.

• An inclusive and ethical workplace where collaboration and innovation are encouraged.

• Compensation programs that recognize high performance and leadership impact.

• Professional development opportunities across a global life sciences organization.

• The full list of our global benefits can be found here: https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits

What you will do

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team of process engineers, specialists, and manufacturing professionals, fostering a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Take ownership of operational performance within the DSP manufacturing area, ensuring production readiness, execution, and reliable on-time delivery.

• Drive the resolution of manufacturing challenges and complex production issues in close collaboration with MSAT, Production Support, QA, and Upstream Processing teams.

• Provide leadership for risk assessments, workplace inspections, technical change management, and compliance activities within the manufacturing unit.

• Represent the DSP organization during customer interactions, audits, and regulatory inspections, serving as a trusted operational expert.

• Contribute to capital investment projects, including facility design, equipment implementation, startup, and commissioning activities.

• As a member of the Production Leadership Team, champion operational excellence, innovation, employee development, and continuous improvement initiatives across the production organization.

What we are looking for

• Experience leading teams and operations within a GMP-regulated biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

• Strong expertise in downstream processing and biologics manufacturing, with knowledge of mammalian cell culture processes.

• Demonstrated ability to build, develop, coach, and engage high-performing technical teams.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, with experience managing complex manufacturing or production challenges.

• Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple functions and communicate confidently with customers, leadership teams, and regulatory inspectors.

• Degree in Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

• Strong English communication skills, with German an advantage, combined with a structured mindset, initiative, and a team-oriented approach.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.