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 Operational Excellence Business Partner will support OPEX projects, help build the organization, facility, and culture, and enable a successful startup into GMP manufacturing operations. This role reports to the Operational Excellence Lead and serves as a subject‑matter expert in Lean, problem solving, root‑cause analysis, manufacturing standards of operational excellence, and human performance reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the site agenda through direct project execution.
• Participate in Flow Team governance, identify trends, and lead improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate Operational Excellence training for 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 at the site (both site‑driven 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 such as 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 by partnering with Business Area Leaders to facilitate methodologies (e.g., Kaizen events) for projects.
• Provide support to ensure robust Organizational Change Management and Monitoring Plans are in place 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 and monitor daily work efforts.

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years experience in a GMP manufacturing facility.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis; Lilly does not sponsor work authorization or visas for this role.

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 individuals from the shop floor to Flow Team and lead project teams.

Travel

Travel required: 0‑10%.

Compensation

Anticipated wage for this position is $60,000 – $143,000. Full‑time equivalent employees are also eligible for a company bonus, dependent in part on company and individual performance.

Benefits

Lilly offers a comprehensive benefits program, including a company‑sponsored 401(k) and pension, vacation benefits, medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage, flexible spending accounts (healthcare and dependent‑day‑care), life and death insurance, various time‑off and leave‑of‑absence benefits, and well‑being programs such as employee assistance, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities.