Senior Manager, Operational Excellence

Kyowa Kirin is a fast-growing global specialty pharmaceutical company that applies state-of-the-art biotechnologies to discover and deliver novel medicines in four disease areas: bone and mineral; intractable hematologic; hematology oncology; and rare disease.  A Japan-based company, our goal is to make people smile by delivering breakthroughs where no adequate treatments currently exist, working from drug discovery to product development and commercialization. In North America, we are headquartered in Princeton, NJ, with offices in California, Massachusetts, and Ontario.

The Senior Manager Operational Excellence will be responsible for designing, developing and implementing a site-wide Lean Manufacturing Systems for the new Kyowa Kirin Manufacturing site in Sanford, NC. The incumbent will provide expertise and leadership in both Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to help enable the business towards its goals. They will be responsible for leading cross functional teams and executing comprehensive lean manufacturing strategies and tools across the manufacturing facility, leading continuous improvement initiatives, identifying and eliminating waste, optimizing processes, and driving operational efficiency while ensure alignment with company goals and quality standards. 

As a people leader, you will embody compassionate, people-centric leadership to guide and support our team. You will collaborate closely with others, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment while driving team development. Your work will reflect the organization’s values and integrity in all your actions. Utilizing situational leadership and emotional intelligence, you will align diverse viewpoints, manage stakeholders, and make empathetic decisions to address individual and team needs effectively. You will also be results-oriented, ensuring that your team not only adapts to challenges but also delivers measurable outcomes that align with business objectives. Additionally, you will help teams navigate through change and uncertainty with resilience and clarity, enabling them to adapt to fast-evolving, rapidly scaling environments and meet new challenges in the biotech industry with a patient-focused mindset.

This position reports to the Director of Manufacturing

Technical Skills, Knowledge, and Experience 
•    Strategic Leadership: Design, develop and implement a comprehensive lean manufacturing system aligned with overall business objectives. Create and scale operational excellence program and standards. Establish clear performance metrics and targets for lean initiatives across the manufacturing facility. Champion a culture of continuous improvement and lean thinking throughout the organization. 
•    Process Improvement: Identify and analyze areas for process improvement using lean tools like value stream mapping, 5S, and root cause analysis. Lead cross-functional teams to design and implement process improvements, eliminating waste and optimizing workflows. Lead Kaizen events to rapidly identify and address operational inefficiencies. 
•    Team Management: Develop and mentor a team of lean specialists and process improvement leaders. Empower teams to take ownership of lean initiatives and drive results. Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across departments. 
•    Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to lean initiatives, including cycle time, lead time, and defect rates. Regularly report on progress and identify areas for further optimization to senior management. 
•    Change Management: Communicate lean methodologies and benefits clearly to all levels of the organization. Manage change effectively to ensure successful implementation of lean practices. 

Leadership
•    Results-Oriented: Lead teams by setting clear, measurable goals and ensuring accountability for achieving key objectives. Align resources effectively, remove obstacles, and maintain focus on delivering high-quality results within set timelines.
•    Empathetic Communication: Listen carefully, give helpful feedback, and handle conflicts with care.
•    Team Development: Mentor and guide team members, create growth plans, support ongoing learning, and develop the team with a patient-focused mindset.
•    Inclusive Leadership: Build a diverse, respectful environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
•    Supportive Environment: Encourage a positive workplace, celebrate achievements, and promote work-life balance.
•    Collaboration: Lead by example, promote teamwork and respect, and ensure your actions reflect the organization’s values.
•    Emotional Intelligence: Manage emotions thoughtfully, make empathetic decisions with a patient-focused mindset, and stay calm under pressure.
•    Change Management: Help teams navigate change wi