Associate - Operational Excellence Site Business Partner

Role Summary

The Associate - Operational Excellence Site Business Partner partners with all organizational levels across local and global business to deploy operational excellence standards and support both event and nonevent-based continuous improvement. The role focuses on driving cycle time reduction, asset effectiveness, cost reduction, and quality improvements, while boosting employee morale by increasing time spent on patient value-added activities. It operates within Lilly’s manufacturing environment and supports the Concord site’s transformational OpEx initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct support for operational excellence/continuous improvement projects with functional areas/departments in support of site production targets and delivery of site agenda.
• Establish and support implementation of lean manufacturing initiatives in alignment with the Lilly Manufacturing Standards of Operational Excellence (MSOEs).
• Monitor/build a strong safety culture and hold others accountable while leading by example.
• Ensure consistency of operations across shifts through active engagement on the shop floor through Gemba walks (Practice vs. Procedure evaluations).
• Lead cross functional teams in the development and implementation of the following problem-solving methodologies and initiatives: Continuous Improvement, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Failure Modes Effect Analysis (FMEA), Value Stream Mapping, A3 etc.
• Deliver necessary information and data about the new/ongoing CI projects.
• Facilitates problem-solving, shared learning and decision-making across plant functions.
• Responsible for schedule tracking, updating, and reporting to all stakeholders for CI projects.
• Responsible for assembling Continuous Improvement (CI) project plans, teamwork assignments, directing and monitoring work efforts daily.
• Escalates technical and timeline issues appropriately for CI projects.
• Identifies issues that may delay project deliverables and recommend risk mitigation strategies, contingencies, and actions, when appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Systems & Strategies – Design And Governance

• Lead the establishment of operational excellence systems within the operational organization, including Daily Management System (DMS) to drive process improvement or streamline operational activities to increase operational efficiencies.
• Facilitate and execute the process of systems governance and assessment (Lean Maturity Assessment; Site CI OpEx Self-Assessments).
• Capture benefits of operational excellence improvement program and report to site leadership.

Assisting In Engagements

• Lead and/or partner on a variety of engagements, within the site/function as well as network level within Manufacturing and Quality. Driving the process/projects to completion.
• Lead and coach process improvement opportunities and projects according to selected methodology (Kaizen Event, A3, etc.).
• Provide support to ensure robust Organizational Change Management and Monitoring Plans are in place to sustain improvements.
• Engage routinely with sponsors to provide status updates and escalate where appropriate as issues arise.
• Ensure Lean principles and tools are integrated into both project execution and solution design.
• Partner with site leadership/other functions, including site lead team and other governance forums, to identify and prioritize major productivity improvement opportunities. Leverage internal and external networking.

Instructing And Training Others

• Facilitate CI & OpEx training to all levels of employees within assigned areas to support deployment and ongoing sustainability of CI and OpEx / Lean ways of working.

Education

• Bachelor’s or equivalent

Additional Requirements

• Occasional travel may be required for training, conferences, project facilitation, etc.
• Day shift with possible after hour support; project delivery may coincide with company holidays.