Manager/Senior Manager, Operational Excellence

Manager/Senior Manager, Operational Excellence

At KBI Biopharma, we are advancing science and accelerating breakthroughs. As a global leader in biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing, we empower life science companies to bring new medicines and vaccines to the world faster. Explore your potential at KBI, where innovation meets impact. 

Position Summary:

The Manager/Senior Manager, Operational Excellence will support and manage the KBI Biopharma Microbial portfolio of continuous improvement initiatives, activities, and high-value projects. The Manager/Senior Manager will manage several projects concurrently, coach leaders through the successful execution of improvement events, and capture significant sustained value for our customers. The Manager/Senior Manager is accountable for executing business-critical process improvements, building a culture of continuous improvement across the site and global network, embedding OpEx practices into our everyday ways of working, developing Lean Leaders, empowering employees to make changes that improve efficiencies, and building robust, effective, sustainable business processes that support our business objectives. The Manager/Senior Manager will bring extensive process improvement experience in Lean Labs, Supply Chain, Quality, and Manufacturing to advance Lean and Operational Excellence maturity in all parts of the business.

The Manager/Senior Manager reports to the Director, Operational Excellence and will be responsible for interacting, influencing, and supporting all departments at the local and global level.

Responsibilities:

• Support the establishment of the continuous improvement framework and strategic deployment plan to meet business objectives and build a culture of Operational Excellence

• Identify and prioritize global, site, and functional improvement opportunities to increase value to customers and eliminate waste through Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, and Hoshin Kanri strategy deployment

• Compile and manage a transformational OpEx portfolio of projects across all site functions and across the full value stream in support of achieving both functional and site business objectives

• Lead, execute, and capture sustained benefit on critical site cross-functional continuous improvement projects utilizing the continuous improvement framework

• Provide mentorship, coaching, Kaizen support, tools, training, opportunity identification support, barrier removal, and benefit capture to site OpEx and Kaizen leaders; develop OpEx Leaders to train others and lead cross-functional improvements

• Design, develop, and deliver streamlined OpEx tools and training utilizing modern learning approaches to optimize the learning experience, meet the needs of varied learners, and increase time to competency

• Drive the business process management model within the continuous improvement framework to eliminate waste, promote simplification, and inspire innovative approaches to process flow

• Develop clear, concise, and informative KPIs, OpEx reports, presentations, digital communications, and visuals to effectively convey key messages and metrics

• Provide input to ensure business changes, key decisions, capital projects, cultural initiatives, and adjacent initiatives are aligned with the overall OpEx strategy

• Model, promote, recognize, and influence good OpEx behaviors and tool usage and act as a change agent for cultural adoption of continuous improvement

Requirements: 

Requirements for Manager, Operational Excellence

• B.S./B.A. degree in a science or engineering field or equivalent combination of education and experience; 5+ years of experience in Operational Excellence

• Lean or Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification

• Proven track record of utilizing Operational Excellence, Lean, and Six Sigma tools to improve processes, eliminate waste, and achieve sustainable business results with experience in Lean Labs, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing

• Demonstrated ability to lead the design, implementation, and use of clean, modern, streamlined OpEx tools for Problem Solving, 5S, Kanban, Visual Controls, Kaizen, Standard Work, Mistake-proofing, Value Stream Mapping, Line balancing, Just-in-Time manufacturing, Business Process Management, Six Sigma, and Strategy Deployment

• Exceptional OpEx Kaizen facilitation skills with deep experience in Rapid Problem Solving and Value Stream Mapping

• Strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills with the ability to digest and present complex information in clear, concise presentations and ability to communicate throughout all levels of the organization

• Experience managing multiple priorities, managing complex project portfolios, and leading challenging cross-functional projects and initiatives in matrixed global organizations

• Strong business and financial acumen with ability to quantify financial benefit and analyze statistical data and financial reports, understand and resolve technical difficulties, and interface with technical experts

• Strong project and change management skills with a record of driving sustained change in GMP and heavily-regulated environments

• Ability to develop and promote creative and innovative solutions to problems, challenge existing ways of working to drive greater efficiencies, and influence leap-change improvements

• Ability to motivate, influence, and coach others under direct or indirect management

Additional Requirements for Senior Manager, Operational Excellence

• B.S./B.A. degree in a science or engineering field or equivalent combination of education and experience; 10+ years of experience in Operational Excellence

• Lean or Six Sigma Black or Master Black Belt certification

• Proven track record developing and leading transformative Operational Excellence, Lean, or Six Sigma programs across a global network

• Experience developing and delivering advanced Operational Excellence training and mentoring Lean and Six Sigma candidates through belt certification

Salary Range:

Manager, Operational Excellence: $101,000 - $138,600

Senior Manager, Operational Excellence: $118,000 - $162,800

Salary range provided per current averages and expectations. The salary and job title for this opening will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience and may be outside this range. KBI has a robust total rewards strategy which includes an annual bonus structure for all employees, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid PTO and holidays, Sabbatical program, 401K matching with 100% vesting in 60 days and employee recognition programs.   

About KBI: 

KBI Biopharma, Inc., a JSR Life Sciences company, is a global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) providing fully integrated and accelerated drug development and biologics manufacturing services to life science companies. KBI supports its 500+ customers in advancing more than 160 drug candidates from preclinical and clinical stages to market, including the manufacture of ten commercial products. Recognized for quality manufacturing, KBI delivers robust process development and cGMP manufacturing services across its six global locations in the USA and Europe. For more information, visit www.kbibiopharma.com. 

KBI is a proud EEO/AA employer dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We believe that innovation thrives in an environment where all voices are heard and valued. That's why we actively seek individuals from all backgrounds – regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status – and strongly encourage all qualified candidates to apply and bring their unique perspectives to our team. 

KBI Biopharma is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. Any employee entering a KBI site located in the US must inform KBI Biopharma of their vaccination status and must submit their vaccination status. All vaccinated employees are required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination, with a COVID-19 vaccination which has been granted FDA approval or Emergency Use Authorization.

KBI Biopharma, Inc. is an EEO/AA employer and actively seeks to diversify its work force. Therefore, all qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status, are strongly encouraged to apply.

I understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for KBI Biopharma, Inc. to hire me. If I am hired, I understand that either KBI Biopharma, Inc. or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of KBI Biopharma, Inc. has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.

I attest with my signature below that I have given to KBI Biopharma, Inc. true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize KBI Biopharma, Inc. to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.