Global Head Network Strategy

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of. 

We are looking for Global Head of Network Strategy to join our team.

Role Purpose: 

The Global Head Network Strategy is responsible for defining and steering Lonza's long-term global manufacturing and supply network strategy across all business platforms and sites.

The role ensures that network footprint, capacity deployment, technology investments, customer demand requirements, and operational capabilities are aligned with Lonza's enterprise growth strategy. 

As a member of the Global Operations Leadership Team, the role develops integrated network strategies that optimize capacity utilization, business resilience, customer service, investment prioritization, and overall enterprise value creation.  

Key Responsibilities: 

Network Strategy Development 

• Define and continuously evolve Lonza's global manufacturing network strategy across all platforms and business units in continuation prework done in the “Genesis” project.   

• Further develop long-term network scenarios supporting business growth, geographic expansion, and portfolio evolution. 

• Ensure network strategies are aligned with corporate objectives, customer needs, and market dynamics. 

• In close collaboration with the Business Platforms translate strategic business priorities into actionable network investment and footprint plans. 

Capacity & Footprint Planning 

• Lead Lonza-wide capacity and footprint planning activities. 

• Identify future capacity requirements and develop integrated expansion roadmaps. 

• Drive decisions regarding site specialization, platform deployment, and network optimization. 

• Assess optimal utilization of manufacturing assets across the global network. 

Strategic Investment Planning 

• Partner with Finance, Business Platforms Operations, Global Engineering, and to prioritize strategic capital investments. 

• Review platform business cases supporting major site expansions, new facilities, and network transformation initiatives in the context of the Lonza Network strategy. 

• Evaluate investment alternatives through robust scenario analysis and risk assessment. 

Supply Chain & Operations Integration 

• Collaborate closely with Global Supply Chain, Business Units, Commercial, and Operations teams to ensure integrated planning. 

• Align network decisions with customer demand, product lifecycle management, and supply strategies. 

• Support make-versus-buy evaluations, technology transfers, and site allocation decisions. 

• Enable successful execution of strategic network transformation programs. 

Business Continuity & Risk Management 

• Lead network risk assessments and resilience planning activities. 

• Develop strategies to mitigate capacity, geographic, regulatory, and supply risks. 

• Ensure appropriate redundancy and business continuity capabilities across the network. 

• Support crisis response and recovery planning from a network perspective. 

Mergers, Acquisitions & Strategic Partnerships 

• Support network due diligence activities related to M&A opportunities. 

• Evaluate strategic partnerships, manufacturing collaborations, and outsourcing opportunities in the context of the Lonza Network Strategy.

• Assess network integration opportunities following acquisitions. 

• Develop integration roadmaps maximizing value realization. 

Governance & Executive Engagement 

• Establish governance processes supporting enterprise network decision-making. 

• Prepare strategic recommendations for the Executive Committee and Board-level discussions. 

• Present network performance, growth scenarios, and investment recommendations to senior leadership. 

• Serve as the recognized enterprise expert for manufacturing network strategy. 

Leadership & Organizational Development 

• Mid-term - build and lead a high-performing Network Strategy Mid-term. 

• Develop strategic planning capabilities across the global operations community. 

• Foster a culture of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement. 

• Act as a role model for collaboration, innovation, and enterprise thinking.

Network Optimization & Performance 

• Establish analytical frameworks to assess network performance, efficiency, resilience, and competitiveness. 

• Identify opportunities to improve asset productivity, manufacturing flexibility, and cost competitiveness. 

• Drive initiatives that enhance customer responsiveness and operational excellence. 

• Monitor key performance indicators related to network effectiveness and strategic objectives. 

Key Stakeholders: 

Required Skills & Competencies: 

• Enterprise thinking. 

• Executive stakeholder management. 

• Operations/Manufacturing. 

• Business Strategy Development.

• Portfolio and investment management. 

• Strong financial and commercial understanding. 

• Capital allocation expertise.

• Influencing (Matrix Leadership). 

• Network modelling. 

• Data-driven decision making.

Qualification & Experience : 

• Master degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Business, Operations, or related discipline. 

• Several years’ of experience in Business strategy, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering.