Job Description

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences, operating across three continents. While our work is grounded in science, our success is driven by talented people collaborating to develop innovative solutions that help businesses bring therapies to patients. In return, we empower our employees to take ownership of their careers—encouraging ideas, both big and small, that make a meaningful impact on the world.

Our Specialized Modalities (SPM) platform is at the forefront of emerging technologies, spanning cell and gene therapy, microbial systems, and mRNA. We have supported over 450 process development projects, with a proven track record of translating cutting-edge science into scalable, advanced manufacturing solutions—enabled by modern, purpose-built facilities.

The End-to-End Lead, LSA is a critical leadership role responsible for delivering the SPM asset across its full lifecycle—from final capital project execution through operational readiness, GMP startup, PPQ, ramp-up, and sustained commercial operations. Acting as the single point of accountability, this leader brings together cross-functional teams across Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and beyond to ensure safe, compliant, reliable, and financially robust performance. In the near term, the role will lead the transition from project to operations, orchestrating flawless facility handover and readiness to enable water runs, engineering runs, GMP execution, and commercial launch.

This role also plays a key part in shaping the asset’s future—leading strategy and execution for multi-year capacity expansion and scaling operations. Success requires the ability to influence at all levels, from Executive Committee discussions on investment and risk to day-to-day operational execution, while leading a high-performing, matrixed organization to deliver life-changing therapies to patients.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the asset lifecycle from project completion through operational readiness, GMP startup, PPQ, ramp-up, commercial execution, and future expansion.
• Serve as the single point of operational accountability, aligning cross-functional priorities and resolving/escalating risks impacting safety, quality, delivery, cost, schedule, and customer outcomes.
• Own and execute the integrated asset readiness plan across Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality, QC, Engineering, Supply Chain, Program Management, EHS, Finance, HR, IT, and customer stakeholders.
• Establish and lead governance for readiness, including critical path management, risk mitigation, decision tracking, issue escalation, and transition to steady-state operations.
• Ensure effective handover from Global Engineering, including facility, equipment, utilities, automation, documentation, and qualification readiness for GMP operations.
• Drive execution readiness for water runs, engineering runs, GMP batches, PPQ, and commercial manufacturing through staffing, training, systems, materials, and scheduling.
• Lead asset strategy and support CAPEX expansion planning, including scaling from initial production to multi-line operations over a 3–5 year horizon.
• Partner with senior leadership to define expansion scope, business case, operating model, resourcing, risk, and execution strategy.
• Lead a senior cross-functional matrix team and asset organization, fostering a high-performance culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Own asset performance, including GMP compliance and inspection readiness, production delivery, customer commitments, financial targets (cost, COGS, budget), and long-term talent development.

Key Requirements & Skills

• Proven ability to lead complex GMP startups, operational readiness programs, facility handovers, and commercial manufacturing ramp-up.
• Demonstrated executive presence, with experience presenting clear recommendations, risks, and investment rationale at senior leadership or Executive Committee level.
• Experience supporting CAPEX expansion, capacity scale-up, or strategic manufacturing growth initiatives.
• Strong ability to lead senior cross-functional matrix teams (AD/Director level) through influence, alignment, and accountability.
• Deep knowledge of GMP operations, including validation/PPQ, inspection readiness, deviation/CAPA, change control, and batch release.
• Expertise in governance and execution discipline, including critical path management, risk mitigation, escalation, and decision tracking.
• Strong understanding of GMP systems and operational infrastructure (ERP, MES/eBR, QMS, training systems, scheduling, and master data).
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical, operational, and financial concepts into clear decisions and trade-offs.
• Strong business acumen, including linking strategy, capacity, capital investment, COGS, and customer commitments into executable plans.
• High agility and leadership effectiveness, with the ability to operate in ambiguity, drive change, build high-performing teams, and deliver results through collaboration and structured execution.

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.