At Lilly, our commitment to patients drives us to unite caring with discovery. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, we employ over 50,000 individuals worldwide to tackle complex challenges and deliver life-changing medicines. Our new manufacturing facility in Katwijk, Netherlands represents a €2.6 billion investment in advanced production technologies aimed at achieving carbon neutrality and zero waste.

The Role

The Associate Director – Operational Readiness will be a key leader at the site, responsible for developing and managing an integrated project plan to ensure the facility reaches operational readiness. This role involves close collaboration with project delivery managers and the site Lead Team to integrate all project workstream deliverables. Reporting through site operations, you will lead operational readiness planning and site startup, ensuring clear communication and alignment among stakeholders, including Ops, TSMS, Engineering, QA, QCL, Maintenance, Logistics, and IT. You will navigate complex project linkages and address barriers to facilitate a safe and timely facility startup. Additionally, you will oversee the site Operational Excellence group, establishing Lean principles and an Operational Excellence framework.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify pre-manufacturing program elements necessary for operational readiness with input from cross-functional stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the GFD project team and site representatives to develop an integrated startup plan that reflects key linkages and resource requirements.
• Act as a primary interface between the GFD project and site users to ensure clear communication of priorities.
• Lead a cross-functional team to create and implement an integrated plan, fostering strong morale and open dialogue.
• Partner with stakeholders to ensure alignment on project scope, goals, and timelines.
• Facilitate decision-making under tight deadlines and effectively manage internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactively address issues, proposing and implementing resolution plans as necessary.
• Forecast resource needs and resolve projected issues before they impact project delivery.
• Provide relevant metrics to governance forums such as the Site Lead Team and Executive Project Steering Team.
• Utilize lean management practices to streamline meetings and decision-making processes.
• Establish a culture of operational excellence and embed Lean principles within site governance processes.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (Engineering/Science) with experience in a functional or operational leadership role in the pharmaceutical industry.
• 6+ years in manufacturing, preferably with OSD/SDD experience.
• Knowledge and application of cGMPs in manufacturing operations.
• Proven track record of managing and executing projects on time and within budget while meeting high-performance standards.

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Ability to manage in a dynamic environment with flexibility to adapt to changes.
• Experience influencing decision-making on complex technical issues.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage workload and set priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration across multiple functions.
• Knowledge of cGMP standards and FDA guidelines for production.
• Proficient in continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma.
• Familiarity with documentation and change management systems (e.g., Trackwise, Veeva, QualityDocs, Kneat).

Additional Information

This position starts with a 12-month contract, with the possibility of a permanent position based on mutual fit. On-site presence is required, with flexibility per site policy. Frequent travel may be necessary to support network and project activities. Lilly is committed to providing equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to submit your resume, please complete the accommodation request form for assistance. Lilly does not discriminate based on age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. #WeAreLilly