Associate Director, OPEX
$152,000–$209,000 year
On-siteMarion, North Carolina, United States
Job Summary
Execute the site's Operational Excellence strategy aligned with global business priorities, translating corporate goals into initiatives that drive measurable performance. Lead enterprise-wide Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing, supply chain, and support functions while championing principles like Standard Work, Visual Management, and Value Stream Mapping. Serve as a trusted advisor to site leadership on productivity, transformation, and operational effectiveness, establishing governance to monitor strategic execution and value realization. Identify operational risks and performance gaps using data analytics to sponsor cross-functional projects that improve productivity, quality, and financial outcomes. Ensure all initiatives comply with GMP and regulatory requirements while managing the investment portfolio to validate savings and return on investment. Build and mentor high-performing teams to foster a culture of accountability and continuous learning.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- Bachelor's degree, preferably in an engineering or science discipline
- Master's degree
- 10+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing environments
- Minimum 5 years in a lean/continuous improvement role
- Minimum 5 years in a people leadership role
- Ability to set priorities and manage multiple projects with minimal supervision
- Advanced/Strong computer skills: MS Access, PowerPoint, Word and Excel
- Applicants must be authorized to work for an employer in the U.S.
Desired Qualifications
- Master's degree preferred
- Preferably in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or comparable environments
- Minimum 5 years in a lean/continuous improvement role preferred
- Minimum 5 years in a people leadership role
- Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Very strong attention to detail
- Solid understanding of lean, kaizen, VSM and other improvement tools and techniques
- Detailed operational knowledge of manufacturing environments
- Previous experience of aseptic manufacturing
- High energy, enthusiasm, and strong interest in continuous improvement
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