📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Manager Operational Excellence – Global Growth Projects 80-100% (m/f/d)
🔹 Company: Lonza
🔹 Location: Visp, Valais, Switzerland
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, On-site
🔹 Category: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
🔹 Date Posted: May 9, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving lean, efficient, and reliable operations across strategic growth projects
- Collaborating with Global Engineering, Operations, and Quality to improve and harmonize internal processes
- Ensuring operational safety and compliance in projects and initiatives
- Building a collaborative culture between Global Engineering and Operations
- Fostering a culture of continuous improvement and scalable execution of growth initiatives
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, project management skills, and the ability to work effectively in a matrix organization.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the development and implementation of lean, scalable, and harmonized processes for strategic growth project execution
✅ Challenge and optimize critical activities such as project lifecycle setup, operator involvement, training, and CQV
✅ Actively drive continuous improvement initiatives, integrating lessons learned and best practices into future projects
✅ Support knowledge transfer across Advanced Synthesis sites and establish KPIs to measure operational performance
✅ Build a collaborative culture between Global Engineering and Operations
✅ Ensure operational safety and compliance in your projects and initiatives
✅ Build up a robust training matrix for the Advanced Synthesis Operations Strategic Growth Projects group
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and requires strong project management skills to drive operational excellence across global growth projects.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Biologics, or a related scientific field.
Experience: Proven experience in manufacturing, engineering, safety, and compliance within a matrix organization.
Required Skills:
- Lean processes and continuous improvement
- Project management
- Operational excellence
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Fluency in English; German is preferred
- Familiarity with Lonza’s processes and structures (advantage)
- LBMS Green or Black Belt certification (considered a plus)
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry
- Knowledge of Lonza’s products and services
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in operational excellence, project management, and continuous improvement within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CHF 120,000 - 160,000 per year (estimated based on market research and company size)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
- Dynamic and international work environment
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is estimated based on market research for similar roles in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in Switzerland. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Lonza is a global leader in the CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) industry, specializing in pharmaceutical ingredients, bioscience, and biopharmaceuticals.
Company Size: With over 10,000 employees, Lonza offers a large and diverse work environment with opportunities for growth and development.
Founded: Lonza was founded in Switzerland in 1897 and has since grown into a global organization with a strong presence in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Company Description:
- Lonza is a pioneer and world leader in the CDMO industry, setting the pace with cutting-edge science, smart technology, and lean manufacturing.
- The company turns customers’ breakthrough innovations into viable therapies and manufactures the medicines of tomorrow.
- Lonza brings quality, safety, and reliability to bring life-enhancing and life-saving treatments to market at speed and at scale.
Company Specialties:
- Pharmaceutical ingredients
- Bioscience
- Biopharmaceuticals
- Custom manufacturing
- Biotechnology
- Life science ingredients
- Nutrition
- Cell Therapy
- Gene Therapy
- and Capsules
Company Website: http://www.lonza.com
ASSUMPTION: Lonza's extensive experience and global presence make it an attractive employer in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior management position, reporting directly to the Director of Operations.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Manager Operational Excellence will have direct reports and collaborate with various departments, including Global Engineering, Operations, and Quality.
Work Arrangement: This role is based in Visp, Switzerland, with an expected workload of 80-100%.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to expand the role's scope and influence as the company grows
- Opportunities to work on diverse and challenging projects across the global network
- Possibility to develop leadership skills and advance within the organization
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential as Lonza continues to expand its global footprint and invest in strategic growth projects.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Lonza's Visp site is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with a collaborative and dynamic work environment.
Office Location(s): Visp, Switzerland
Geographic Context:
- The Visp site is located in the picturesque Swiss Alps, offering a high quality of life and numerous recreational opportunities.
- The region has a strong focus on the life sciences industry, providing ample networking and professional development opportunities.
- Visp is easily accessible by public transportation and has a low cost of living compared to other major Swiss cities.
Work Schedule: The standard workweek is Monday to Friday, with flexible working hours and the possibility of remote work for specific tasks.
ASSUMPTION: The Visp location offers a high quality of life and a dynamic work environment, making it an attractive place to work for professionals in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video interview with the hiring manager
- On-site interview with the Director of Operations and other key stakeholders
- Background check and reference verification
Key Assessment Areas:
- Problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
- Project management experience and skills
- Cross-functional collaboration and leadership
- Fluency in English and German (both spoken and written)
- Understanding of Lonza's products, services, and processes
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in operational excellence, project management, and continuous improvement.
- Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you have driven process improvements and ensured operational safety and compliance in previous roles.
- Demonstrate your understanding of Lonza's business and the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
ATS Keywords: Operational Excellence, Project Management, Continuous Improvement, Lean Processes, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Matrix Organization, Global Growth Projects, Strategic Planning, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Safety Compliance
ASSUMPTION: Lonza's application process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello)
- Lean manufacturing tools (e.g., value stream mapping, 5S, Kaizen)
- Quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 13485)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and can be learned or improved upon with relevant experience.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Quality: Lonza is committed to delivering high-quality products and services that meet or exceed customer expectations.
- Innovation: Lonza fosters a culture of innovation, encouraging employees to challenge the status quo and drive continuous improvement.
- Collaboration: Lonza values collaboration and teamwork, both internally and with customers and partners.
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced work environment
- Strong focus on results and performance
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, and are you comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously?
- Are you a strong communicator and collaborator, able to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders?
- Do you have a proven track record of driving operational excellence and continuous improvement in a manufacturing or engineering setting?
ASSUMPTION: Lonza's work environment is dynamic, fast-paced, and collaborative, with a strong focus on results and performance. Successful candidates will be able to thrive in this environment and contribute to the company's continued growth and success.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects simultaneously, each with its own unique requirements and priorities
- Navigating a matrix organization and building effective cross-functional relationships
- Ensuring operational safety and compliance while driving continuous improvement and process optimization
- Adapting to a dynamic and evolving work environment as the company grows and changes
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are common in senior management roles within the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and can be effectively managed by a skilled and experienced professional.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike other operational excellence roles, this position focuses specifically on strategic growth projects within the Advanced Synthesis network.
- This role requires a strong understanding of Lonza's products, services, and processes, as well as the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry as a whole.
- Career progression in this role may involve expanding the scope of responsibilities, taking on additional projects, or moving into a more senior leadership position within the organization.
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique within Lonza and offers a distinct set of opportunities and challenges compared to other operational excellence positions in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a lean, scalable, and harmonized process for a strategic growth project in the Advanced Synthesis network
- Optimizing critical activities such as project lifecycle setup, operator involvement, training, and CQV for a global growth project
- Building a collaborative culture between Global Engineering and Operations for a strategic growth project in the Advanced Synthesis network
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the key responsibilities and required skills for the Senior Manager Operational Excellence role at Lonza.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the most significant challenges facing the Advanced Synthesis network, and how this role will address them?
- How does this role collaborate with Global Engineering, Operations, and Quality to drive operational excellence across strategic growth projects?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and growth within this role and the organization as a whole?
- How does Lonza support work-life balance for employees in senior management positions?
- What is the company's long-term vision for the Advanced Synthesis network, and how does this role contribute to that vision?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions are designed to provide insight into the role's responsibilities, the company's culture, and the opportunities for professional growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
