Associate Director, Viral Vector Manufacturing

Join Lonza AG's world-class Cell and Gene Therapy Facility in Houston, TX, where we are groundbreaking Viral Vector Therapy. As the Associate Director, Viral Vector Manufacturing, you will play a key role in our ambitious mission to advance life-changing therapies. You will lead a dedicated team to ensure seamless, compliant operations while encouraging an inclusive, collaborative environment.

• Accountable for manufacturing team’s safety and cGMP adherence.

• Responsible for Viral Vector Therapy production under cGMP conditions; adhering to regulatory agency requirements, internal Lonza standards, and current industry practices.

• Directs manufacturing activities and leads operations across multiple shifts/cleanrooms.

• Clearly assigns objectives, measures and supervises progress, leads resources, and handles opposing priorities.

• Investigates deviations and troubleshoots production or technology transfer issues.

• Ensures timely generation and completion of quality records (CAPA, CR, DR, etc.).

• Engages with appropriate partners for issue resolutions (Deviation Investigation Team, QA, MSAT, FE, etc.).

• Attracts and retains skilled talent; training and encouraging a team-centric environment.

• Provides coaching and mentoring in technical knowledge and managerial topics.

• Drives continuous improvements, influencing asset strategic directions and organizational goals.

• Assesses new proposals from prospective customers.

• Interacts with customers regarding operations performance.

• Acts as SME during audits for all activities performed in the area.

Key requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology, Biology, Chemistry, or equivalent experience with Associate’s degree.

• Effective in engaging others in change processes.

• Understands and explains corporate strategy to peers and team.

• Provides feedback on the strategy and its implementation.

• Sets and delivers on individual and team objectives supporting company strategy.

• Works in partnership as an active team member and cross-functional groups.

• Generously shares information and knowledge across the team.

• Actively seeks and implements alternative approaches.

• Identifies and resolves company and customer interest misalignments.

• Tracks and analyzes customer data for continuous improvement.

• Sets and achieves critical metrics and challenging objectives.

• Secures collaborator agreement.

• Ensures delivery excellence for personal and team goals.

• Develops budgets and resource plans.

• Appropriately prioritizes and leads cleanroom activities.

• Supports a safe and balanced environment.

• Provides and seeks feedback for professional development.

• Ensures clear communication with Core Techs.

• Maintains quality systems and cGMP compliance.

• Knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing, safe work leadership, RFT delivery, and continuous improvement.

• Extensive experience in bio-manufacturing and GMP settings.

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.