Director, Operational Excellence, EU & NA

Key responsibilities for this role include:

1. Lean 4.0 Program Leadership

• Lead the end-to-end deployment and sustainment of the Lean 4.0 program across EU & NA sites.

• Drive integration of Lean methodologies with digital technologies (automation, data analytics, AI-enabled insights) to create a modern, data-driven operating model.

• Own regional execution of Lean 4.0 governance, roadmap delivery, and wave-based deployment.

• Ensure consistent adoption of Lean 4.0 standards, frameworks, and maturity models across sites.

• Ensure delivery of site diagnostics, baselining, and 3-year transformation roadmaps.

2. Operational Excellence Deployment

• Translate global OE and Lean 4.0 strategy into site-level transformation roadmaps.

• Lead deployment of standard work, lean systems, and performance management frameworks.

• Institutionalize tier management, KPI systems, and structured problem-solving methodologies.

• Ensure integration of OE practices into daily management systems and decision-making.

• Scale and replicate best practices and successful transformation use cases.

3. Network Strategic Cost Reduction

• Drive cost reduction framework.

• Identify savings opportunities at site against targets.

• Track and report value delivery against site targets.

• Drive harmonization across sites and adopt best practices to deliver cost.

4. Digital Transformation

• Drive adoption of digital foundations such as paperless systems, digital logs, and data integration .

• Lead initiatives across key Lean 4.0 workstreams, including:

  • Flow & Performance Excellence (OEE, planning optimization).

  • Smart Quality (AI-enabled monitoring, automation, product quality insights).

  • Lab of the Future (digital labs, performance management).

  • Engineering & Energy Excellence (predictive maintenance, energy optimization).

• Enable transition toward real-time, data-driven decision making across sites.

5.Capability Building

• Build Lean 4.0 capabilities across site leadership and teams (Lean, Digital, Analytics).

• Lead Lean 4.0 training programs, leadership upskilling, and capability certification journeys.

• Coach site leaders to embed a culture of continuous improvement and digital adoption.

• Develop a sustainable pipeline of Operational Excellence and transformation leaders.

The minimum qualifications for this role are:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering / Operations / Business; MBA preferred. However, a combination of experience and/or education will be considered.

• 12–18 years of experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing, operational excellence, or transformation roles.

• Strong experience in Lean, Six Sigma (Green Belt minimum; Black Belt preferred).

• Proven track record in deploying large-scale transformation programs across multiple sites/regions.

• Experience in digital transformation / Industry 4.0 initiatives in manufacturing environments.

• Strong understanding of cGMP and regulatory requirements.

• Proficiency in speaking, comprehending, reading, and writing English is required.