Site Operational Excellence Business Partner

About the role

Lilly is constructing an advanced manufacturing facility for monoclonal antibodies, bioconjugates, and aseptic drug product manufacturing in Goochland County, Virginia. The site will provide capacity for current and future products. This position supports the startup of the manufacturing site, helping to build the organization, the facility, and the culture needed for a successful GMP manufacturing operation.

Responsibilities

• Support the site agenda through direct project execution.
• Participate in Flow Team governance, identify trends, and lead improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate Operational Excellence training to all employee levels within assigned areas to sustain Lean ways of working.
• Coach and train teams in Lean tools and systems (e.g., daily management, A3 thinking, standard work).
• Participate in or lead cross‑functional teams to develop and implement strategies for Continuous Improvement, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Failure Modes Effect Analysis (FMEA), Human Performance Reliability (HPR), etc.
• Participate in Operational Excellence assessments (site‑wide and global).
• Sustain and evolve Lean maturity and consistency on site.
• Empower individuals and teams to use Lean behaviors and mindsets to achieve execution excellence.
• Lead improvement events and support deployment of Operational Excellence tools, including daily management, standard work, A3 thinking, value‑stream mapping, RCA, and HPR.
• Educate the business on Operational Excellence approaches and partner with leadership to engage all employees in the Lean journey.
• Serve as Operational Excellence Business Partner, partnering with Business Area Leaders to facilitate methodologies such as Kaizen events.
• Provide support for robust Organizational Change Management and Monitoring Plans to sustain improvements.
• Engage routinely with sponsors to provide status updates and escalate issues as needed.
• Ensure Lean principles and tools are integrated into both project execution and solution design.
• Assemble Operational Excellence project plans, assign teamwork responsibilities, and direct daily work efforts.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years experience in a GMP manufacturing facility.
• Authorization to work in the United States on a full‑time basis (no sponsorship provided).

Additional Preferences

• Direct experience in manufacturing operations for drug substance and/or drug product facilities.
• Experience in Lean Manufacturing or other productivity industry methods.
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills for effective teamwork.
• Strong self‑management and organizational abilities.
• Ability to influence without authority.
• Ability to coach shop‑floor personnel and lead project teams.

Travel

0‑10% travel.

Pay

Anticipated wage range: $60,000 – $143,000. Employees are also eligible for a company bonus based on company and individual performance.

Benefits

• Company‑sponsored 401(k) and pension plans.
• Vacation benefits.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible benefits such as healthcare and dependent‑day‑care flexible spending accounts.
• Life insurance and death benefits.
• Various time‑off and leave‑of‑absence benefits.
• Well‑being programs including employee assistance, fitness benefits, and employee clubs/activities.