Head of Operational Excellence

EUROAPI is a leading supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), spun out from Sanofi on May 6, 2022 and listed on EURONEXT, with the aim of becoming a global champion in API solutions and CDMO.

The company has a diversified portfolio of approximately 200 APIs for its API Solutions business and its CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) activities.

With more than 150 years of experience in the API market, around 3,350 employees and a consolidated turnover of approximately €1 billion in 2023, EUROAPI has six production sites and development centers equipped with state-of-the-art technology, all located in Europe (France, Germany, Hungary, Italy and the UK).

Job description

The Head of the “Transformation, Operational Excellence & Digital” department is part of the Strategy, Transformation & New Business Programs Frankfurt division consisting of:

• Our transformation program
• Operational excellence activities
• Implementation of digital initiatives
• To improve location performance and key financial figures and the site performance and its financial metrics.

In this position you will play a significant role with your team of 6 employees in ensuring the performance of EUROAPI as a newly formed CDMO. You will enable optimal efficiencies through the right systems, methodologies, processes, and behaviours, always putting our clients and people at the heart of everything we do.

Main tasks & responsibilities

Transformation & Change Management

• Lead and manage transformation initiatives from inception to completion in close collaboration with business stakeholders, including the use of project management methodologies to ensure timely and successful delivery of initiatives, and perform post-implementation reviews to ensure sustainable delivery.
• Develop and execute change management plans to ensure that changes are well communicated, fully integrated, and sustainable within the organization. Train and support employees to adapt to new processes and systems.
• Act as a change lead and role model by driving our transformation initiatives forward.

Performance

• Lead, define and develop continuous improvement activities designed to improve performance, such as planning and running of lean events. Focal point to consolidate the performance roadmap & follow up.
• Ensure consistency of the performance-related processes and systems: Strategic Plan, Strategy Cascade- Site priorities, Performance Plan, Quimeo, business cases and monitor site Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) from site Performance Plan.
• Drive ad hoc capacity analysis to identify and mitigate risks in terms of activities (OEE trends, investment, etc.).
• Build the methodology to support performance benchmark – consolidate trends to support budget exercise (Unit costs, Productivity, etc.).
• Responsible for the successful Digital implementation at site level: create, develop and communicate a compelling vision of Digital implementation on site.
• Support continuous improvement processes to drive clarity in site’s data ownership and systematically improve data quality.
• In close partnership with digital, facilitate the deployment of reliability skills to take advantage of advanced analytics tools.

Tools, Methodology, Skills & Capabilities

• Bring a level of expertise and leadership in EUROAPI Manufacturing System (E.M.S) methodology, industrial performance, digital solutions, problem-solving culture, transformation and change management.
• Support the operational excellence network, foster Lean & Digital network across sites, coach and support Operational Excellence team members.
• Contribute to performance program reviews focused on project execution, problem resolution, timelines, and network-level business/financial impact.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master's degree in life sciences or engineering; doctorate desirable.
• Lean 6 Sigma Black Belt or similar certification.
• At least 5 years experience in operational roles in the pharmaceutical and/or chemical industries, with good knowledge of plant operations.
• Strong manufacturing experience focusing on operational excellence and transformation.
• Experience in leading teams and inspiring leadership and strategic thinking with strong interpersonal, communication, collaboration skills, and good business acumen.
• Exposure and proven success in project delivery in a fast-moving environment.
• Experience and knowledge of GMP & Compliance and HSE.
• Fluent in German and English; other languages are an asset.

Our offer

• An international working environment in which you can develop your talents and realize ideas and innovations together in a competent team.
• An attractive compensation package geared to the market and your qualifications, with above-average social benefits (such as the company pension plan, family time or our health management).
• An individual and structured induction to your new tasks.
• You can shape your personal career path at EUROAPI and we will support and accompany your professional and personal development in a targeted manner.

Art der Stelle: Vollzeit, Festanstellung

Arbeitsort: Vor Ort