Lean Digital Partner

Our Frederick Manufacturing Center (FMC) creates life-changing medicines for people around the world and has been recognized by our local community as being a Top 50’ Business in Frederick and awarded Frederick County’s ‘Best Place to Work’. This distinctive biologic manufacturing facility, with over 800 employees, makes a direct contribution to treating people with cancer, respiratory and autoimmune conditions across the globe.  We work hard to deliver life-changing medicines to patients, and we take time to have fun and celebrate our accomplishments. From catered site festivities to competitive events, community outreach activities, environmental and wellness showcases and team-building functions, we take time to recognize our achievements and celebrate our diversity.  We are dedicated to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration and are committed to continuous learning by offering ongoing skill building and training for our staff.  Fueled by our aspiration to deliver accelerated growth for our company and to make people’s lives better, there’s never been a more exciting time to join the team and shape the future of AstraZeneca Operations.

Join AstraZeneca as a Senior Operational Excellence Leader and play a pivotal role in driving our Lean journey and initiatives. You will partner with various functional business areas, coach at all organizational levels, contribute to the site’s Lean strategy, mentor project teams, lead critical initiatives, and coordinate project selection and training activities. Your technical leadership and mentoring will be crucial in supporting AstraZeneca’s commitment to operational excellence.

Accountabilities

- Drive the site’s Operational Excellence (OE) strategy by providing technical leadership, mentoring, and project support to support AstraZeneca’s Lean initiatives.
- Apply strategic thinking, leadership, and project management skills to identify and achieve significant process and quality improvements through OE initiatives aligned with the site strategy.
- Develop technical solutions to complex problems using ingenuity, creativity, and continuous improvement concepts.
- Inspire others with Lean thinking, provide input into the site’s OE strategy and vision, and ensure Lean standards are embedded in all activities.
- Own and manage the delivery of business process improvements and exploit technology developments to achieve sustainability, reduced lead time, increased productivity, and a positive work environment.
- Provide expert training, advice, and coaching to all levels at the Frederick site and take shared accountability for business results.
- Participate in Global and Biologics Lean Networks to ensure standards fit Biologics and Site processes.
- Work independently with minimal direction and guide the successful completion of major programs or function in a project leadership role.
- Ensure effective communication to avoid critical delays, modifications to projects or operations, and substantial expenditure of resources.

Essential Skills/Experience

- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or related field
- Six Sigma Black Belt certification required
- Minimum 6+ years of hands-on experience in applying Lean tools and techniques on an Operational Excellence team: training delivery, process improvement, standardized work, scientific problem solving, kaizen, value stream mapping, mistake proofing, SMED, level loading demand
- Must have worked as a Six Sigma Black Belt for a minimum of 2 years with formal training and experience applying Lean methods as a DMAIC Six Sigma Black Belt level or within PDCA lean projects
- Strong level of DMAIC and/or Lean tools and methodology knowledge required
- Advanced user of Minitab or similar, Microsoft Visio, and Project
- Solid Business Acumen
- Strong Project Management Skills
- Strong exposure to the Toyota Way, Toyota Production System (TPS), and Lean Transformation methods

Desirable Skills/Experience

- MBA or equivalent work experience preferred
- Healthcare, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology experience preferred
- Experience with Human and Organizational Performance principles
- Experience with Total Productive Maintenance approach

At AstraZeneca, we are committed to pioneering a new Quality way. Our work is important and valued as we strive to add real value throughout the lifecycle of our products. We are proactive, science-based, and solutions-oriented, always innovating to improve reliability and excellence in our processes. Our inclusive community empowers each voice, fostering camaraderie and collaboration across functions. With a focus on growth and innovation, we offer constant opportunities for career development in an environment that values quality and patient-centricity.

Ready to make a significant impact? Apply now to join our team!

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $114,281.00 to $171,421.00 Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.