Operational Excellence Professional (m/f/d)

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across three 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 an Operations Excellence Professional, you will support our small- and mid-scale operations and development services in Visp to enhance productivity. Working closely with interdisciplinary teams, you will support systematic approach to root cause analysis and implement process improvements in processing deviations using Operational Excellence methodologies.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Leading interdisciplinary team meetings to conduct root cause analysis (RCA) using structured RCA methods

• Systematic documentation of RCA processes, identified causes, actions, and responsibilities

• Supporting the development, prioritization, and implementation of actions with allocated resources and timelines

• Conducting training on RCA tools and fostering a proactive error management culture

• Acting as a mediator between departments and hierarchies, reporting progress to (senior) management

• Ensuring full implementation of action plans, evaluating their effectiveness, and making necessary adjustments

• Applying statistical methods (e.g., control charts, Pareto analysis) to assess deviations

Your Profile:

• PhD or MSc degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related field

• Business fluency in English and German

• Lean or Six Sigma Green Belt certification is an advantage

• Solid knowledge of organic synthesis and production of chemical or pharmaceutical active ingredients, ideally with GMP experience

• Several years of experience in production, quality management, or quality assurance in a regulated environment (chemical, pharmaceutical)

• Expertise in root cause analysis and structured problem-solving

• Strong analytical skills to systematically break down complex issues and develop effective corrective actions

• Proficiency in RCA tools and continuous improvement processes (e.g., 5-Why, Ishikawa, FMEA, Pareto analysis, Lean, Six Sigma)

• Effective presentation and communication skills, including the ability to visualize data and convey complex content clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders

• Strong interpersonal, mediation, and team collaboration skills, with a proactive and responsible approach to work

• High initiative and sense of responsibility. Ability to remain calm and structured even in stressful situations. Teamwork skills and the ability to bring together different perspectives

Our Offer:

• A challenging position with creative freedom in an international environment

• Attractive compensation and benefits

• Opportunities for personal and professional development

• A collaborative corporate culture with short decision-making processes and an engaged team

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.