Operational Excellence Associate Project Manager

Operational Excellence Associate Project Manager

Location: This position is based in our Walkersville, MD office. The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM EST.

What you will get:

The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $89,000 to $143,000. In addition, below you will find a comprehensive summary of the benefits package we offer:

• Performance-related bonus.

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.

• 401(k) matching plan.

• Life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance.

• Employee assistance programs.

• Paid time off (PTO).

Compensation for this role will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and relevant knowledge.

What you will do:

This role exists to provide key support for the OPEX Leadership to deliver business results by working with teams to identify opportunities for improvement and taking accountability for execution and delivery.  The OE Project Manager II can lead and independently influence teams across the site and is expected to contribute to and execute the OE strategy, participating in system roll out and sustainability that support the business in continuous process improvement efforts, support the daily management system and culture change.  Typical efforts will be in driving assigned initiatives, independently running improvement activities for the site, and supporting site wide initiatives led by senior members of the OE team.  The role leads general OE programs and training, such as New Hire, 5S/6S, White Belt and Yellow Belt as well as mentoring White and Yellow belt Trainees.

• Lead and execute continuous improvement initiatives from initiation through delivery, applying Lean Six Sigma (DMAIC) methodologies to drive efficiency, throughput, and measurable business impact

• Partner with cross-functional teams to identify process improvement opportunities, align on priorities, and ensure successful execution of site and network-level initiatives

• Develop, maintain, and manage detailed project plans, timelines, and deliverables; proactively identify risks, issues, and dependencies, and drive resolution

• Facilitate Kaizen events, workshops, and problem-solving sessions to support continuous improvement and operational performance

• Act as a coach and facilitator, training teams on Lean tools, methodologies, and best practices to build internal capability and problem-solving skills

• Lead and support training programs such as New Hire onboarding, 5S/6S, White Belt, and Yellow Belt, and mentor employees through certification and project completion

• Analyze, interpret, and leverage data (descriptive, predictive, and performance metrics) to inform decisions, track progress, and ensure sustainability of improvements

• Establish performance metrics, dashboards, and process control plans to monitor outcomes and drive long-term success

• Communicate project status, risks, and results effectively to stakeholders, site leadership, and broader organizational teams

• Support the development and execution of Operational Excellence strategy, including system rollouts, daily management systems, and culture change initiatives

• Collaborate across functions and sites to share best practices, standardize processes, and strengthen continuous improvement efforts across the network

• Contribute to the development of business cases and support resource planning to enable successful project execution

• Build strong relationships across the organization to understand business needs and drive alignment on improvement efforts

• Support additional Operational Excellence programs and initiatives, including harmonization efforts across the broader network

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Life Sciences, Environmental Health & Safety, or a related field (advanced degree preferred)

• 5+ years of relevant experience in project management, operational excellence, or process improvement roles

• Proven track record of delivering measurable results through process improvement or project execution

• Hands-on experience leading Lean Six Sigma (LSS) projects with well-defined project plans and clear outcomes

• Strong knowledge of process improvement tools and methodologies, with the ability to apply them in a practical business setting

• Excellent facilitation skills with the ability to lead discussions, influence stakeholders, and drive team alignment

• Strong project management capabilities, including planning, prioritization, and execution across multiple initiatives

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into action

• Proficiency in tools such as Minitab, MS Project, Excel, Visio, Access, and SharePoint

• Excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and presentation abilities, with experience engaging leadership

• High attention to detail with strong organizational and time management skills

• Self-motivated and able to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

• Strong interpersonal, diplomacy, and negotiation skills with the ability to influence without authority

• Ability to quickly understand business processes, identify gaps, and recommend practical solutions

• Experience reviewing and refining business requirements, processes, and recommendations to support effective implementation

• Willingness and ability to become gown-qualified (as required for site operations)

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.