Director (m/f/x) Global Operational Excellence DX - DSS

Daiichi Sankyo; Toronto; Remote; CAD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director for Global Operational Excellence. This pivotal role involves leading strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency through Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile methodologies. You will partner with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement, optimize processes, and foster a culture of excellence. This position offers the chance to make a significant impact within a collaborative environment that values innovation and accountability. If you're passionate about operational excellence and ready to lead transformative change, we invite you to apply.

Benefits

Continuous Learning Opportunities

Diversity and Inclusion Programs

Flexible Work Environment

Health and Wellness Initiatives

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years experience including at least 3 years within Pharma.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or Agile certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic design and implementation of the operational excellence program.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement across teams.

Skills

Lean

Six Sigma

Agile

Project Management

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Education

B.S. Degree

PhD or MBA

Tools

Smartsheet

MS Office Suite

Job description

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Director (m/f/x) Global Operational Excellence DX - DSS

Date: 8 May 2025

Passion for Innovation. Compassion for Patients.

With over 120 years of experience and approximately 19,000 employees in more than 30 countries/regions, Daiichi Sankyo is dedicated to discovering, developing, and delivering new standards of care that enrich the quality of life around the world.

In Europe, we focus on two areas: The goal of our Specialty Business is to protect people from cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in Europe, and help patients who suffer from it to enjoy every precious moment of life.

In Oncology, we are driving innovation in solid tumours and blood cancers, founded on breakthrough science from our own labs in Japan. We aspire to create better tomorrows for people living with cancer and their loved ones.

Our European headquarters are in Munich, Germany, and we have affiliates in 15 European countries and Canada.

We are looking in our affiliate inCanada (remotely in Canada also possible) for a

Director (m/f/x) Global Operational Excellence DX - DSS

The position:

• Lead the strategic design and implementation of the operational excellence program across DX-DSS.
• Foster a culture of excellence and innovation through Lean, Six Sigma and Agile, driving operational efficiencies, and delivering measurable results that align with the company’s strategic objectives.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure scalable processes, reduced costs, and enhanced quality in operations to support DX-DSS.
• Train, develop, coach and mentor the organization on operational excellence methodologies.
• Drive impact through kaizen events/quick wins with internal change champions.

Roles and responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a robust Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence strategy aligned with organizational objectives.
• Champion a DX-DSS-wide culture of continuous improvement by aligning teams to embrace Lean, Six Sigma, and related methodologies.
• Partner with senior leadership to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities with the greatest impact.

Process Optimization

• Lead initiatives to standardize, simplify, and optimize core processes across departments.
• Utilize Lean, Six Sigma, and other improvement methodologies to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce costs.
• Establish and monitor performance metrics (KPIs) to evaluate the success of improvement initiatives.
• Implement and sustain a Continuous Improvement framework to enable ongoing assessment and enhancement of operational processes.
• Facilitate workshops, kaizen events, and cross-functional collaboration to drive engagement in continuous improvement efforts.
• Develop and implement tools and training to empower employees to identify and act on improvement opportunities.
• Change Management and Cultural Transformation
• Act as a change agent to drive the adoption of continuous improvement and operational excellence principles.
• Build strong relationships across departments to ensure alignment and commitment to improvement initiatives.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with stakeholders at all levels to articulate the value and progress of continuous improvement efforts.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Continuous Improvement professionals to drive excellence in project execution.
• Foster an environment of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Build organizational capability by delivering training programs that enhance Lean and Six Sigma skills across the workforce.
• Innovation and Best Practices
• Stay current on industry best practices, emerging trends, and innovations in continuous improvement.
• Leverage technology and data analytics to enhance decision-making and streamline operations.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards in all improvement initiatives.

Personal skills and professional experience:

• B.S. degree with relevant professional experience or equivalent; advanced degree (PhD, MBA) desirable
• Minimum 10 years experience including at least 3 years within Pharma
• Lean, Six Sigma, or Agile certification preferred
• Proven track record of deploying a range of tools/methods to improve operational performance
• Comfort working in a global matrixed organization
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, in explaining in simple terms complex concepts
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, Agile as well as Smartsheet and MS Office suite
• Ability to partner with and influence senior leadership within the organization
• Good negotiation and project management skills
• Proactive approach to problem solving
• Demonstrated expertise in operational excellence strategy and execution
• Extended knowledge and understanding of the principles, concepts, methods, and standards of operational excellence
• Ability to work remotely with worldwide team members across cultures and time zones
• Willingness to travel (15%)

Why work with us?

Working at Daiichi Sankyo is more than just a job – it is your chance to make a difference and change patients’ lives for the better. We can only achieve this ambitious goal together. That is why we foster a culture of mutual respect and continuous learning, with a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity. Here, you will have the opportunity to grow, think boldly, and contribute your ideas. If you have a proactive mindset and passion for addressing the needs of patients, we eagerly await your application.