Associate Director - Manufacturing Operations (Small Molecule)

Job ID: R-109174Company: LillyLocation: Houston, Texas, United States of AmericaJob Type: Full TimeCategory: Manufacturing/QualityPosted Date: 2026-09-28At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us. At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our 45,000 employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.Organization Overview:Lilly is currently constructing an advanced manufacturing facility for production of API molecules located in Houston, Texas. This facility is intended to provide APIs for current and future products. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the leadership team for the startup of a greenfield manufacturing site, and the successful candidate will help to build the organization, the facility and the culture to enable a successful startup into GMP manufacturing operations. Responsibilities: The Associate Director Manufacturing Operations Small Molecule is directly responsible for managing the day-to-day manufacturing operations for their respective area (small molecule) and provides oversight for the operational resources assigned to the Process Team, including Operations Leaders. The role is responsible for the leadership of frontline leaders in direct execution of manufacturing instructions (e.g., batch production record, SOP’s, etc.) to safely and compliantly manufacture high-quality medicine. The role serves as the key integrator of the cross-functional team to drive safety, quality, and continuous improvement in pursuit of Operational Excellence. The Associate Director Manufacturing Operations provides leadership, acts as a key integrator, has accountability for the cross functional Process Team, and ensures that appropriate staffing is in place. The role will ensure equipment is maintained in a state of compliance and processes in a validated state for their respective area.In the project delivery phase and startup phase of the project, leadership roles will be fluid and dynamic as we endeavor to support the project delivery, build a new organization, develop and implement the necessary systems and business processes required to support GMP operations and build the site culture. This will require significant collaboration, creativity and resilience as the site grows to a full scale GMP manufacturing through start up. Key Objectives/Deliverables:Daily Operations/Business Management:Build and promote a strong Safety and Quality culture. Maintain a safe working environment and conduct production activities in a manner that protects safety, environment and quality.Participate in the creation, approval and execution of the production plan for the assigned area.Ensure consistency of operations across shifts through active engagement on the production floor.Support and provide leadership to the area through site inspections.Own the implementation of the change and improvement agenda for the assigned area, ensuring cross functional support and integration.Set objectives for the cross-functional technical Process Team, and owning and reviewing their scorecard and delivery with management.Set objectives and development plans for Operations staff, including Operations Leaders and Operators. Manage events as required, ensuring appropriate communication within the team and with external teams. Provide input and approve investigations.Build and develop a team, creating clear common purpose and promoting good team spirit.Ensure that team members are appropriately trained, and that operating procedures and training material are available and current.Communicate appropriately with team members regarding site objectives and team business.Ensure the team is adequately resourced to meet the business objectives.Specifically, during the startup phase of the Houston site leadership will be expected to be collaborative, inclusive, and support the broader team to: Build the organization with the necessary capability, capacity and culture to operate this facility to the highest standards of excellence.Develop and implement the systems and processes needed to run the site, leveraging existing Lilly knowledge and practices where necessary, but also incorporating external experiences and learning. Ensure regulatory compliance and operational excellence by supporting lean principles in their respective area.Support the project team as they deliver the facility to the site team, by providing feedback and support. Basic Requirements:Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science (Chemical Engineering preferred)Multi-disciplinary experience across different functions which may include process engineering, quality assurance, process development, technical services/manufacturing science, or Continuous Improvement preferably in API manufacturing5+ years of leadership experienceAdditional Preferences:Facility or Site start-up experience with examples of leadership through organizational change management.Continuous Improvement (Lean) leadership experience.Ability to work with a team, make independent decisions, and influence diverse groups.Ability to instill teamwork within the department and demonstrate key interpersonal skills. Ability to provide innovative solutions to plant, divisional, and corporate issues and leverage ideas from other functional areas. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing to various audiences, particularly one-on-one coaching and feedback with direct reports and technical process team members.Ability to function in a cross functional team environment as a leader and as a member of management teams. Demonstrated ability to work in a regulated environment.Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form () for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (View email address on click.appcast.io), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is$123,000 - $180,400Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.#WeAreLillySkillsgmp compliancemanufacturing operations managementprocess engineeringcontinuous improvementlean manufacturingapi manufacturingquality assuranceoperational excellenceteam leadershipchange managementcross-functional collaborationregulatory complianceprocess developmentstaff trainingsite start-uporganizational change managementproduction planningsafety managementbusiness process developmentstakeholder communicationteam buildingperformance management