Manufacturing Director

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.

As part of the Lonza Walkersville, MD leadership team, the Director Media Manufacturing is a significant role for Lonza Walkersville. Reporting into the site head this role is responsible for the Safety, Quality and profitability of the Media manufacturing. This responsibility includes continuous improvement, asset availability and strategic investments into the area. Member of the site leadership team this role contributes significantly to the strategic development of the site serving the business needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensures manufacturing performance meets expectations regarding safety, quality, productivity and on-time-in-full delivery while ensuring all time inspection readiness.

• Leading cross functional asset team incl. Quality, MSAT and site supporting functions to drive asset performance.

• As member of site leadership team, support overarching site development beyond department structure.

• Responsible for manufacturing organization including hiring, coaching, qualification, performance review and management, incl. organizational- and individual development.

• Responsible for asset strategy development and deployment aligned with business needs and goals of the Bioscience Business Unit

• Responsible for capacity-, cost management impacting asset- and site P&L and effective management of the SIOP process.

• Responsible for execution of Media improvement project portfolio incl. CAPEX projects to achieve department innovation goals and drive culture of continues improvement.

• Represents manufacturing in cGMP inspections and customer visits.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Requirements:

• Experience: Extensive knowledge in manufacturing leadership, with a strong background in biologics or small molecules manufacturing in a highly regulated environment (CDMO, GMP).

• Leadership & Team Management: Consistent record to handle, develop, and mentor high-performing teams; experience in cross-functional collaboration with Quality, MSAT, Program Management, Maintenance, and Engineering.

• Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing: Deep understanding of lean manufacturing principles, with a track record of driving continuous improvement and innovation that results in tangible business outcomes.

• Project Management: Strong project management skills, including expertise in leading CAPEX and asset-specific improvement projects, ensuring delivery on scope, timeline, and cost.

• Compliance & Inspection Readiness: Extensive knowledge of cGMP standards and experience in representing manufacturing during inspections and customer visits.

• Business Alignment & Capacity Management: Ability to align manufacturing capacity with business needs, collaborating with program management to ensure operational efficiency.

• Communication: Excellent communication skills and the ability to work optimally in a matrix organization, influencing and getting results across departments.

• Education: A degree or equivalent experience in Life Sciences, Engineering, or a related field. Lean manufacturing certification (Greenbelt or higher) is a plus.

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically. People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

The full-time base annual salary for this onsite position is expected to range between $180,000.00 and $210,000.00. Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including the successful candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and job-related knowledge. Full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including performance-related bonus, medical and dental coverage, 401k plan, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off (PTO), and more.

Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.