Senior Director - API Operations
Eli Lilly and Company
Full-time
Remote friendly (Houston, TX)
United States
Operations
Want to see how your resume matches up to this job? A free trial of our JobsAI will help! With over 2,000 biopharma executives loving it, we think you will too! Try it now — JobsAI.
Role Summary
Senior Director, API Operations responsible for leading manufacturing operations at a greenfield API manufacturing site, ensuring capacity, capability, and leadership to deliver the site’s manufacturing plan, while integrating cross-functional support teams and fostering a strong safety culture. Part of the Lilly Site Lead Team contributing to strategic direction and issue resolution during startup and beyond.
Responsibilities
- Pre-Startup and Startup Phase:
- Lead collaboratively across all aspects of operational readiness and startup.
- Build an organization with capability, capacity, and culture to achieve high standards in safety, quality, and operational excellence.
- Develop and implement site systems and processes using internal expertise and external best practices.
- Embed lean principles and a continuous improvement mindset across operations and support functions.
- Act as the end-user representative during project delivery—inputting on design, commissioning, and startup decisions to align with project goals and long-term strategy.
- Post Startup:
- Develop and execute strategic and operational plans for Production Operations.
- Contribute to the site’s medium- and long-term strategic direction.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements (safety, quality/cGMP, environmental, financial, legal, HR).
- Ensure Production Flow and Process Teams meet Manufacturing Standards for Operational Excellence.
- Maintain robust control systems to manage operations, identify compliance risks, and escalate issues appropriately.
- Monitor site and business area performance and take corrective action as needed.
- Lead cross-functional teams to implement new product introductions and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Develop future management and technical leaders for site and global roles.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline
- 10+ years of experience leading operations within the pharmaceutical industry
Additional Preferences
- Experience in API manufacturing and Process Safety Management preferred.
- Strong knowledge of cGMPs and their application in manufacturing operations.
- Proven ability to build effective relationships across all organizational levels, including close collaboration with the Site Leadership Team.
- Demonstrated success in leading projects from initiation to completion—on time, within budget, and to high performance standards.
- Skilled in developing and managing high-performing, engaged teams with a strong safety and team-oriented culture.
Additional Information
- The role will begin remotely with occasional business travel to the Global Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana and to the new site area.
- Full relocation to the area of new site is required. New site location will be shared upon signing of a confidentiality agreement.