Lab Manager – Analytical Laboratories

About the role

The Lab Manager, Analytical Laboratories, is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations, readiness, safety, compliance, and performance of analytical laboratories supporting process development, characterization, technology transfer, GMP testing, and manufacturing support activities. The Lab Manager partners closely with Analytical Scientists, Quality Control, Process Development, Manufacturing, Engineering, HSE, Facilities, Lab Informatics, and Equipment Support teams to ensure laboratories remain operationally ready and aligned with business priorities. The position provides leadership for laboratory operations, equipment lifecycle management, resource planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of analytical laboratories to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant execution of laboratory activities.
• Ensure laboratory readiness for new programs, equipment installations, method transfers, and facility expansions.
• Develop laboratory resource plans, schedules, and capacity forecasts aligned with business needs.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for laboratory operational issues.
• Foster a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all HSE requirements.
• Ensure laboratory activities comply with quality standards.
• Maintain inspection readiness and support regulatory inspections and audits.
• Apply 5S and ALCOA principles to maintain an organized, compliant, and inspection-ready laboratory environment.
• Oversee the analytical equipment lifecycle, including procurement, installation, qualification, calibration, maintenance, relocation, and retirement.
• Partner with Engineering and Laboratory Equipment Support Group to ensure equipment reliability and availability.
• Manage laboratory asset inventories, consumables, reagents, standards, and critical materials.
• Monitor equipment utilization and performance metrics and develop improvement plans.
• Lead initiatives focused on laboratory productivity, automation, digitalization, and operational excellence.
• Drive implementation of digital workflows.
• Utilize data-driven metrics to identify performance gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Promote collaboration across analytical, process development, manufacturing, and quality organizations.
• Foster a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Support strategic laboratory expansion and organizational scaling plans.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry or biology or related scientific discipline.
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnology, or process development laboratories.
• Demonstrated experience managing laboratory operations in a regulated environment.
• Ability to work in a laboratory environment requires safe handling of chemicals, wearing appropriate PPE, and understanding other safety-related equipment or considerations.
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of analytical instrumentation including HPLC, UPLC, GC, LC-MS, dissolution, spectroscopy, particle characterization, and microbiological testing platforms.
• Experience with equipment qualification, validation, and lifecycle management.
• Familiarity with LIMS, Empower, ELN, Kneat, CMMS, and laboratory digital systems.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements, data integrity, and quality systems.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence organizational outcomes.

Schedule

• Initial location at Lilly Technology Center, Indianapolis and/or Parkwood West.
• Permanent location at the new Lilly Medicine Foundry in Lebanon, Indiana.
• Flexibility to work from Indianapolis (or other Lilly sites) may be required throughout 2026 through 2029.
• Position requires on-site presence, 8-hour days, five days per week, with flexibility to support activities during shutdowns, weekends, etc.
• 0–10% travel required.