Director, Operational Excellence

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

As part of the Lonza Walkersville leadership team, the Director of Operational Excellence (OPEX) plays a pivotal role in leading the site’s Lean Transformation and driving a culture of continuous improvement. This position is responsible for building organizational capability, empowering teams to eliminate waste, and creating sustainable value for Lonza and its customers. The Director provides strategic leadership for Operational Excellence, Training, and the OPEX PMO functions, ensuring alignment with the Lonza Business Management System (LBMS) and enterprise goals.

This role is a full-time, onsite position based at our Walkersville, MD facility (5 days per week). It offers an exciting opportunity to drive strategic transformation and operational impact across the site and network. As a senior leader, the Director, OPEX, is also considered a potential successor for future executive operations leadership roles, including Site Head of Operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee end-to-end Lean Transformation initiatives as part of the site leadership team, with direct managerial responsibility for Operational Excellence, Training, and the OPEX PMO.

• Drive the development of a results-oriented, lean organization by strengthening people, processes, and systems in alignment with Lonza’s global LBMS initiative.

• Provide strategic oversight of operations projects, including OPEX initiatives with CAPEX components, ensuring delivery on scope, cost, and schedule.

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and problem-solving across value streams — including planning, manufacturing, maintenance, logistics, and Quality — to enhance operational flow and efficiency.

• Develop and manage business cases for both CAPEX and OPEX projects, leading the global CAR process to secure and allocate resources effectively.

• Implement robust project governance, tools, and processes that ensure measurable outcomes and sustained results for all OPEX initiatives.

• Oversee training strategy and governance to build operational capabilities and ensure compliance with Safety, Quality, and Lean standards.

• Contribute to the site’s long-term master plan, integrating Lean principles into material and information flow optimization.

• Support cross-site learning and deployment of the Lonza Business Management System across other global locations.

• Perform other duties and initiatives as assigned to support organizational objectives.

Key Requirements:

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in operations, continuous improvement, or manufacturing leadership roles.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, or a related field; MBA preferred.

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification preferred.

• Extensive understanding of operations, including people leadership, organizational development, financial acumen, and supply chain management.

• Proven success leading large-scale Lean Transformations in complex manufacturing environments.

• Deep expertise in Lean Leadership, continuous improvement, standardization, and problem-solving methodologies.

• Experience developing performance metrics, balanced scorecards, and analytical models that drive data-based decision-making.

• Strong background in operational and CAPEX project governance, including planning and execution oversight.

• In-depth knowledge of biologics, pharmaceutical, or medical device manufacturing under cGMP and US/EU regulatory frameworks.

• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

• Skilled in communication, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional leadership at all organizational levels.

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, act decisively, and deliver measurable operational improvements.

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.

The full-time base annual salary for this on-site position is expected to range between $155,000.00 and $265,000.00. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including the successful candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and job-related knowledge. Full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including performance-related bonus, medical and dental coverage, 401k plan, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off (PTO), and more. 

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.