Director, GCS Continuous Improvement (Onsite)

Job Description

Position Overview - Basic Functions & Responsibility

The Global Clinical Supply (GCS) organization is within our Research & Development Division and is accountable for managing the 'end-to-end' integrated clinical supply chain across our Research & Development Division portfolio to enable the execution of any clinical trial using our Company's assets.  GCS supports more than 300 Phase I-IV clinical trials run in-house, 400+ outsourced or run by partners as well as our Company's ISS clinical trials (300+). GCS is accountable for the planning, sourcing, labeling, packaging and delivery of clinical supplies to clinical sites across more than 60+ countries, all in accordance with US and WW regulations, company policies and Standard Operating Procedures.

The Director, Continuous Improvement, will lead continuous improvement (CI) activities within the organization and functional areas, supporting CI culture.  The role will oversee both strategic and tactical improvement initiatives, kaizen workshops, and culture-building activities, and will support the rollout of significant metrics as key performance indicators (KPIs), contributing to the overall governance of performance oversight in GCS. The role will ensure the organization is educated in continuous improvement and Lean Six Sigma methodologies.  Areas of expertise include problem-solving, project management, tier management, change management, knowledge management, quality-by-design, and appropriate risk management in our processes through coaching and mentoring belt candidates and members across the GCS organization.

Primary Activities

The Director, GCS Continuous Improvement, will be accountable for the identification, prioritization, and execution of continuous improvement activities within GCS and across our partner organizations, including, but not limited to, process improvement, tier management, value stream mapping, change management efforts, problem-solving, and after-action reviews (AARs).

Additionally, the incumbent will engage a client group within GCS and will be responsible for implementing a continuous improvement culture, tools, and education within the organization.  The incumbent will collaborate within Operational Excellence, across GCS functional areas, and with outside groups, including Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO), Global Development Quality (GDQ), Development Sciences and Clinical Supply (DSCS), Procurement, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Data Management, Translational Medicine, and our Research & Development Division.

Primary activities include, but are not limited to:

• Actively create a culture in which continuous improvement becomes the organizational norm

• Process design/improvement projects/strategic initiatives across the organization

• Continuously identify opportunities to improve, simplify, standardize, and optimize processes in collaboration with functional areas

• Analytics & metrics – develop and maintain performance-related analytics and metrics (reports, dashboards, key performance indicators (KPIs)) under the People, Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (PSQDC) construct

• Seek ways to innovate and/or further automate the use of data and new digital capabilities

• Identify, train, and coach others in Lean concepts and problem-solving methodology

• Continuously evaluate opportunities to create additional connectivity and share learnings between partner organizations

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. A graduate degree in a scientific discipline is preferred. Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Black Belt certification (or equivalent experience) is required.

• Extensive experience facilitating kaizen workshops and leading complex projects. Understanding of the clinical supply chain and clinical trials, including GCP and GMP.

Skills include, but are not limited to:

• 5+ years implementing Lean Six Sigma methodologies, including tools to evaluate and improve business processes, and 5+ years coaching and leading process improvement teams

• A dedication to solving complex and challenging problems with a creative mind and imaginative strategies

• Experience with 8-step problem-solving methodology as a problem solver and coach of others

• Strong Influencing and negotiation skills

• Ability to lead, create future state, and deliver results

• Demonstrated a