VFE Strategy and Business Operations

Associate Director, Vacaville Facilities & Engineering Strategy & Business Operations

Location: Vacaville, California – Onsite

As an Associate Director, Vacaville Facilities & Engineering Strategy & Business Operations , you will serve as a strategic partner to the Head of Vacaville Facilities & Engineering (VFE), driving strategy deployment, business operations, organizational effectiveness, and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

This highly visible role provides the opportunity to shape the operating model of a newly consolidated Facilities and Engineering organization, lead transformational initiatives, and partner with site leadership to drive operational excellence, organizational change, and long-term business success.

What you will get:

The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $152,000-$258,000 In addition, below you will find a comprehensive summary of the benefits package we offer:

• Performance-related bonus
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) matching plan
• Life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employee assistance programs
• Paid time off (PTO)

Compensation for this role will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and relevant knowledge.

What you will do:

• Partner with the Head of VFE and leadership team to develop and execute long-term organizational strategies aligned with site and enterprise objectives.
• Lead annual strategic planning processes, multi-year roadmaps, and strategy deployment activities while tracking progress against organizational commitments and milestones.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve the VFE operating system, including governance processes, KPI management, business reviews, and performance management routines.
• Provide strategic and operational support to VFE leadership through executive communications, decision-support materials, leadership meeting facilitation, and action tracking.
• Drive Operational Excellence initiatives through Lean and continuous improvement methodologies, facilitating workshops, Kaizen events, value stream discussions, and problem-solving sessions.
• Lead high-impact, cross-functional strategic initiatives and transformation programs involving Facilities, Engineering, Maintenance, Manufacturing, Quality, and Technical Operations teams.
• Support organizational transformation efforts through structured change management, stakeholder engagement, communication planning, and adoption strategies.
• Develop communication strategies, executive presentations, and organizational messaging that clearly communicate priorities, achievements, and transformation initiatives across all organizational levels.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, Life Sciences, Communications, or a related discipline. Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
• 10+ years of experience in business operations, strategy, facilities, engineering, operational excellence, or related leadership functions.
• Lean Six Sigma certification preferred (Green Belt or Black Belt), with demonstrated experience driving Operational Excellence initiatives.
• Experience leading cross-functional strategic initiatives, PMO activities, business operations programs, or organizational transformation efforts.
• Strong change management capabilities with experience supporting large-scale organizational integration and transformation programs.
• Excellent communication, executive presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence across all organizational levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and drive alignment among diverse stakeholders.
• Experience within GMP-regulated manufacturing environments required; biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience strongly preferred.
• High emotional intelligence, professionalism in handling confidential information, and a demonstrated ability to build trust and credibility across teams.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you're ready to lead transformational initiatives, drive operational excellence, and influence the future of Facilities & Engineering operations at one of the world’s leading life sciences organizations, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.