Director, Global Supply Chain – Operational Excellence (LEAN)
Cytokinetics
August 23, 2026
Remote friendly (San Francisco Bay Area)
United States
Operations
Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute the Operational Excellence roadmap for Supply Chain, External Manufacturing, and Technical Operations aligned with business priorities.
- Drive transformational initiatives to improve reliability, agility, and cost-effectiveness across the end-to-end supply network.
- Embed a culture of continuous improvement across internal teams and external partners.
- Monitor industry trends and benchmark performance to sustain operational advantage.
- Identify, prioritize, and implement process improvements to enhance service, reduce costs, and ensure compliance across planning, sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution.
- Facilitate cross-functional projects using Lean, Six Sigma, Value Stream Mapping, and other methodologies.
- Support Technical Operations problem-solving by coaching teams to apply fit-for-purpose root cause frameworks.
- Standardize and digitize key supply chain and manufacturing processes to improve visibility and decision-making.
- Collaborate with CMOs/CDMOs to assess/improve external manufacturing performance via KPI reviews and improvement plans; lead joint improvements ensuring cGMP and regulatory compliance.
- Design and sustain a Tiered Management System (Tier 1–3), with visual performance management, dashboards, training/coaching, and effective escalation/feedback loops.
- Build capabilities through training; coach leaders on OpEx mindset; lead change management; model data-driven, collaborative continuous improvement.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Life Sciences, or related field (required); Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
- 8–10 years in a regulated healthcare segment (pharma development, supply chain, manufacturing, medical device, or technical operations), including 5–10 years in operational excellence/continuous improvement or similar leadership.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing/supply chain processes, cGMP, regulatory requirements, and external manufacturing complexities.
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (or equivalent) strongly preferred.
- Proven record improving operational performance, reducing costs, and increasing process efficiency.
- Experience managing/improving external manufacturing or supplier relationships.
- Exceptional project/change/facilitation skills; strong communication/influencing/stakeholder management; ability to thrive in fast-paced global matrix environments.
- Develop and execute the Operational Excellence roadmap for Supply Chain, External Manufacturing, and Technical Operations aligned with business priorities.
- Drive transformational initiatives to improve reliability, agility, and cost-effectiveness across the end-to-end supply network.
- Embed a culture of continuous improvement across internal teams and external partners.
- Monitor industry trends and benchmark performance to sustain operational advantage.
- Identify, prioritize, and implement process improvements to enhance service, reduce costs, and ensure compliance across planning, sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution.
- Facilitate cross-functional projects using Lean, Six Sigma, Value Stream Mapping, and other methodologies.
- Support Technical Operations problem-solving by coaching teams to apply fit-for-purpose root cause frameworks.
- Standardize and digitize key supply chain and manufacturing processes to improve visibility and decision-making.
- Collaborate with CMOs/CDMOs to assess/improve external manufacturing performance via KPI reviews and improvement plans; lead joint improvements ensuring cGMP and regulatory compliance.
- Design and sustain a Tiered Management System (Tier 1–3), with visual performance management, dashboards, training/coaching, and effective escalation/feedback loops.
- Build capabilities through training; coach leaders on OpEx mindset; lead change management; model data-driven, collaborative continuous improvement.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Life Sciences, or related field (required); Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
- 8–10 years in a regulated healthcare segment (pharma development, supply chain, manufacturing, medical device, or technical operations), including 5–10 years in operational excellence/continuous improvement or similar leadership.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing/supply chain processes, cGMP, regulatory requirements, and external manufacturing complexities.
- Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (or equivalent) strongly preferred.
- Proven record improving operational performance, reducing costs, and increasing process efficiency.
- Experience managing/improving external manufacturing or supplier relationships.
- Exceptional project/change/facilitation skills; strong communication/influencing/stakeholder management; ability to thrive in fast-paced global matrix environments.