Associate Director - Operational Readiness

About the role

Eli Lilly is investing €2.6 billion in a new manufacturing facility in Katwijk, Netherlands, producing oral medicines for cardiometabolic health, neuroscience, oncology and immunology. The Associate Director - Operational Readiness is a key site leader who ensures an integrated project plan is developed and managed so the facility reaches operational readiness. The role works closely with project delivery Project Managers and the site Lead Team, reports through site operations and leads operational readiness planning and site startup. It also covers the site Operational Excellence group, establishing Lean principles and an Operational Excellence framework.

Key responsibilities

• Identify the pre-manufacturing programme elements needed for facility operational readiness, with input from cross-functional stakeholders.
• Develop an integrated start-up plan with the GFD project team and site functional representatives, covering linkages, interdependencies, durations, resources and timelines.
• Act as the main interface between the GFD project and site end users, and lead a cross-functional team, fostering open dialogue and morale.
• Facilitate decision making under tight deadlines, forecast resource needs and proactively resolve issues.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders and provide metrics to site and network governance forums such as the Site Lead Team and Executive Project Steering Team.
• Embed Lean principles and continuous improvement methods (e.g. Six Sigma) into the site governance processes.

Required profile

• Minimum Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as engineering or science, with experience in a functional or operational leadership role in the pharmaceutical industry.
• 6+ years in manufacturing; OSD/SDD experience preferred.
• Experience applying cGMPs in manufacturing operations.
• Track record of delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Fluency in English and Dutch preferred.
• 100% full-time on-site role, with expected travel of 10-20% during design and delivery.

Required skills

• cGMP standards and FDA (or equivalent) production guidelines.
• Lean, Six Sigma and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Documentation, deviation and change management systems (e.g. Trackwise, Veeva, QualityDocs, Kneat).
• Strong written and verbal communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

What we offer

• Anticipated wage depends on education, experience, skills and location.
• Eligible full-time employees may receive a company bonus depending on company and individual performance.
• Benefits including pension plan, vacation, healthcare, flexible benefits, life insurance, time off and leave of absence, and well-being benefits.