Operational Excellence Lead

Team Leadership

Act as VACC (Visionary, Architect, Coach and Catalyst) to build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team of professionals, promoting a collaborative and innovative work environment. Establish target outcomes, priorities and coordinate talent flow to maximize organizational impact. The incumbent demonstrates, credibly embodies and showcases VACC leadership.

People Development

• Shape employee development, evaluation, and career path based on skills; build a diverse, inclusive talent pool where members share and support each other to build their expertise;
• Recruit, hire, and onboard new employees, based on team requirements;
• Establish, coach, and provide vision for site's Operational Excellence and Training functions team fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional development;
• Leverage agile work practices supporting the teams to align and adapt resources to highest enterprise priorities;
• Foster culture of transparency of priorities and metrics empowering every team and employee to take accountability to operate as high performing teams;
• Identify capabilities and upskilling training needs and develop or source training programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of the team;
• Develop and maintain high performing teams with higher level of self-organization and proactive culture that accentuates continuous improvement principles.

Strategy Development

• Collaborate with cross-functional team leads and develop a comprehensive site strategy (aka SSR) related to space utilization, new innovative manufacturing technologies, facility layout and expansion, integration with site and global/regional innovation programs, and building resiliency into the plant operating modules leading to a 5+ year site strategy. This strategy will align with the organization's overall business objectives, ensuring scalability, sustainability, and competitive advantage.
• Lead the cross-functional collaboration in development of site KPIs, tools to monitor the site performance and monthly reporting.

Operational Excellence / PSS Program

• Ensure the development and execution of robust Operational Excellence, Efficiencies and Continuous Improvement strategies for all functions in alignment with global PSS (Product Supply Systems) program;
• Develop site PSS Phase progression plan with site Pillar Leaders, and site Function Leads, with support from Global OE team including a gap analysis of current capability across the pillars, compare to the next phase pillar requirements, and drive phase progress approach for site;
• Develop and deploy continues improvement programs and processes towards zero loss mindset using LEAN methodologies and coach PSS Pillar leaders to deliver requirements to achieve next phase progression journey step;
• Identify the needs of digital tools usage in day-to-day operation, and follow-up on development of associated digital applications for the site in alignment with global digital data infrastructure standards;
• Lead the integration of PSS program with overall Factory of the Future site strategies (including automation, smart manufacturing, digitization, and digitally enabled workforce).

Factory Innovation, New Technologies and Cost Improvement

• Drive a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and Factory of the Future (digitalization) initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and increase productivity;
• Provide leadership for cost savings and key strategic initiatives for new technologies across manufacturing, packaging, warehouse, and quality functions at the Myerstown site;
• Set priorities consistent with site, regional and global company goals and focus on high priority opportunities.

Capabilities Building

• Responsible for designing, implementing, and sustaining comprehensive learning initiatives across the site to develop skills and adopt a digitally enabled mindset;
• Identify current skill gaps and future needs through robust assessment tools, feedback mechanisms, and data analysis, informing targeted development plans;
• Develop and execute a site-wide training strategy that aligns with organizational goals and prioritizes digital literacy, technology adoption, and future-ready capabilities;
• Create and deliver engaging learning experiences - both in-person and online, including workshops, e-learning modules, and hands-on training focused on digital skills and tools;
• Champion the adoption of a growth mindset and digital-first culture by fostering curiosity, adaptability, and openness to technological change among employees.

Quality & Compliance

• Lead and protect our “License to Operate”. Ensure that OE and Training function processes are always maintained in excellent cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice) conditions, cGMP compliance is fully met and required training programs are developed and implemented.
• Ensure complete compliance with all federal regulatory agencies' requirements, in conjunction with other departments ensure that training programs are developed and implemented to meet all Bayer Quality and Health, Environment and Safety standards. Assure compliance to Bayer policies and directives.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections to identify and address any compliance issues. As well as provide the appropriate subject matter experts during FDA and other internal/external agencies audits. with particular emphasis on Operational Excellence and Training processes at the site.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with core operations, supply chain, quality, controlling, Manufacturing IT, CoE Hubs, procurement, HR, and other departments to ensure seamless collaboration across all functions.
• Work closely with Global Manufacturing Excellence and Engineering Excellence teams and gain alignment regarding PSS, Operational Excellence and Factory of the Future strategies.

Performance Metrics

• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the end-to-end performance, capability building, efficiency and productivity enhancement, making data-driven decisions to optimize operations etc.
• Establish and execute productivity goals through innovative automation and AI technology.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or master's degree with multi-functional experience in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Operational Excellence/LEAN. 10 years with bachelor's or 8 years with master's degree with leadership/production/supervisory experience in FDA, pharmaceutical industry is preferred.
• Multifunctional and deep experience of complex manufacturing management in the consumer and/or pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience in successful organizational transformation and change management initiatives.
• Excellent project management skills, with deep experience in LEAN methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Ability to inspire and motivate employees to embrace change and continuous learning, analytical mindset for assessing training impact and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Proven experience in training, learning & development, or capability building.
• Strong knowledge of digital technologies, tools, and trends relevant to the workplace.
• Exceptional people leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging effectively with all levels of the organization and external partners to concisely influence executive leadership peers.
• Leading with purpose, driving inclusion, respecting differences, and showing up as authentic best self.
• Applies VACC leadership behaviors and approach, demonstrates high self-awareness as well as system awareness, and pro-actively asks for and gives feedback.
• Demonstrates strategic thinking as well as good business- and external trends insights.
• Creates impact by realizing authentic self and purpose, and includes others: respects differences, embraces inclusion and shows up as the best self.
• Dynamically allocates talents with right skill set based on business needs and defined outcomes.
• Thorough understanding of the regulatory arena involving GMP, OSHA, EPA, and Bayer standards are essential.