Job Description

Location: Vacaville, CA

This is a fully site‑based role. Working together in person supports close, real‑time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.

As Operational Excellence Manager, the incumbent leads efforts to deliver business results by working with teams to identify opportunities for improvement and taking accountability for rigorous execution and delivery. The Operational Excellence Manager oversees all OE activities at the Assets Level with the goal of enabling improved business results through the Daily Management System, Process Improvement, and Culture change. This role will partner with other Site Leadership Team and Asset Leadership Team members, to identify and drive positive change across the site and Assets, is an expert in identifying and implementing efficiency gains for projects at all levels of scope but in particular those which are multi dimensional, complex and critical to the site’s future. This includes but is not limited to assessing, scoping, standardizing and implementation.

What you will get:

The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $114,000 to $190,000. 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 :

• Generate and execute Functional, Assets, and Site strategies to establish robust systems for ongoing process improvement, daily management systems, and cultural transformation.
• Act as a critical change agent to plan, lead, and execute high-priority business improvement projects and site-wide transformations using Lean and DMAIC methodologies.
• Drive the site's Assets goals by aligning continuous improvement efforts with Compelling Business Needs across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Innovation, and People.
• Act as the site subject matter expert to develop, coach, and manage personnel at all levels, specifically mentoring the Asset Leadership Team in Lonza Business Management System (LBMS) principles.
• Coach teams to establish performance measurements and process control plans, leveraging deep biopharmaceutical technical and business knowledge to monitor and sustain project results.
• Communicate project progress, milestones, and achievements to maintain high visibility and awareness across the local site, the broader network, and corporate leadership.
• Build compelling business cases to secure resources, report milestone progress to site leadership, and proactively resolve major project barriers to ensure on-time delivery.

What we are looking for:

• B.S./B.A degree in Science and or Engineering field.
• Experience is in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical industry desirable but not required.
• Proven record of having delivered tangible results.
• Expert level in process improvement tools and methodologies.
• Proven facilitator with ability to coach, manage and lead teams.
• Experience leading several LSS projects with detailed project plans.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification or equivalent level of experience required.

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. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

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