Director Manufacturing

Location: Vacaville, California

This pivotal leadership role is accountable for safe, compliant, and efficient upstream manufacturing operations in alignment with cGMP, Lonza Quality Systems, and customer commitments. The role provides end‑to‑end operational, financial, and people leadership for large‑scale manufacturing assets, with clear ownership of performance, readiness, and results.

As a visible site and network leader, you will enable strong cross‑functional collaboration, customer engagement, and inspection readiness while leading change and continuous improvement through Lean principles. You will own execution of production plans, optimizing throughput, labor, and cost while maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality. This role is ideal for a seasoned manufacturing leader who thrives in complex, highly regulated environments and is motivated by building high‑performing teams and resilient manufacturing systems.

What you will get

The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $179,000 to $305,000.  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

What you will do

• Lead  change  and  continuous  improvement,  embedding  Lean  principles  and developing organizational capability and culture.

• Lead, coach, and develop manufacturing leadership teams; build succession plans and high-performance, accountable teams.

• Drive  continuous  improvement  across  processes,  equipment,  and systems  in partnership with MSAT, Engineering, Quality, Facilities, EHS, and Supply Chain.

• Own area financial performance, including budget planning, cost/variance.
  control, and contribution to COGS and profitability.

• Serve as single-point operational accountability while influencing matrixed.
  network stakeholders to deliver outcomes.

• Promote a strong, people centric, proactive safety and quality culture mindset across all levels of the organization.

• Make  decisions  regarding  maintenance  and  CapEx  timelines  while  maintaining short term operational effectiveness and long-term optimization of overall harvest stagger.

What we are looking for

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or related discipline;10+ years of GMP/Bio-manufacturing experience with proven operational leadership skills.

• Strong communication and team management abilities.

• Experience presenting ideas and influencing outcomes.

• Ability to mentor and lead diverse teams.

• Adherence to cGMPs is required at all times during the manufacturing of APIs.

• Ensure compliance to EHS policies and guidelines applicable within the department.

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.

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