Director, Operational Excellence & Production Systems

Location: This position is currently remote. A future transition to an on-site location on the U.S. East-Coast/Mid-West is anticipated as the project progresses, with an expected timeline in 2027. This is a full-time role with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What you will get:

The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $196,700 to $232,650. In addition, below you will find a comprehensive summary of the benefits package we offer:

• Performance-related bonus.

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.

• 401(k) matching plan.

• Life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance.

• Employee assistance programs.

• Paid time off (PTO).

Compensation for this role will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and relevant knowledge.

What will you do:

The Director, Operational Excellence & Production Systems is responsible for enabling the successful growth, integration, and long-term operational effectiveness of the U.S. ADS Operations organization. This role serves as a strategic transformation leader within the ADS U.S. Transformation Team, ensuring growth initiatives are supported by scalable organizations, robust governance, lean operating systems, and effective change management.

While End-to-End (E2E) Leaders maintain accountability for the execution of individual growth projects, this position is responsible for designing, deploying, and continuously improving the Lean Production System that enables sustainable growth and operational excellence across the organization.

• Lead transformation initiatives supporting organic growth, acquisitions, and operational expansion across U.S. ADS Operations.

• Develop and implement a scalable ADS U.S. Production System aligned with Lean principles, Operational Excellence methodologies, and global ADS strategy.

• Drive cross-functional alignment across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, EHSS, Finance, HR, Legal, and Corporate Functions.

• Establish standardized management systems, governance routines, visual management practices, and performance management frameworks.

• Lead Hoshin Kanri strategy deployment processes and develop multi-year operational excellence roadmaps.

• Drive Lean maturity assessments and define organizational evolution plans to accelerate continuous improvement.

• Build organizational capability through Lean training, coaching, and facilitation of Kaizen workshops and problem-solving initiatives.

• Partner with E2E Leaders to embed operational excellence principles into facility design, startup activities, and operational readiness processes.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary liaison between U.S. growth initiatives and global ADS Operational Excellence functions.

• Identify opportunities for standardization, replication, and operational leverage across the ADS network.

• Ensure consistency of operating models and leadership systems across existing and future growth sites.

• Establish governance frameworks that provide visibility to strategic risks, resource constraints, organizational readiness, and project dependencies.

• Develop portfolio management processes, standardized reporting methodologies, and prioritization frameworks.

• Enable accountability through visual management systems, tactical performance reporting, and effective feedback mechanisms.

• Lead special projects and enterprise-wide improvement initiatives as required.

What we are looking for:

• Master’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Business, Life Sciences, or a related discipline.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive manufacturing, operations, operational excellence, or transformation leadership experience.

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification required.

• Demonstrated expertise in Lean Manufacturing, 6S methodologies, continuous improvement, and production systems deployment.

• Proven experience leading large-scale capital projects and transformation initiatives within complex matrix organizations.

• Strong understanding of cGMP requirements and biologics manufacturing environments.

• Experience establishing operational excellence frameworks, governance models, and enterprise-wide continuous improvement programs.

• Proven ability to translate long-term strategic objectives into executable operational plans while balancing business risk.

• Strong leadership capabilities with the ability to influence and build partnerships across all organizational levels.

• Excellent communication and facilitation skills with experience engaging executive leadership, project teams, and external stakeholders.

• Ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management capabilities.

• Data-driven decision-maker with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Knowledge of current industry trends, digital technologies, and innovation practices within manufacturing operations.

• Executive presence and the ability to drive organizational change and cultural transformation.

• Ability and willingness to transition to an East Coast or Midwest U.S. site location as project needs evolve.

• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel to EMEA and NA at approximately 25-30% of the time to meet business objectives.

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 offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 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.