Senior Director, Clinical Bioconjugation Operations

Lonza Group Ltd.; Oberwallis; On-site; CHF 450,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Lonza Group Ltd. is seeking an experienced Head of Operations for Clinical Bioconjugation at the Visp site. You will lead a large manufacturing unit, drive operational strategy, and ensure safety, quality and regulatory excellence across a complex, matrixed organization.

You will shape capabilities, manage budgets, and partner with Quality, Engineering, MSAT and Supply Chain to deliver reliable production and sustainable growth at Lonza’s Visp facility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Technology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or related field.
• MBA or Executive MBA is an advantage.
• 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations.
• Proven senior leadership experience managing large, multilayered manufacturing organizations.
• Strong understanding of GMP manufacturing, regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
• Demonstrated experience managing significant operational budgets, capital investments, asset strategies and organizational transformation.
• Strong business acumen, strategic thinking and ability to translate operational priorities into measurable business outcomes.
• Exceptional leadership, communication and stakeholder-management skills, with a proven ability to develop high-performing teams and influence across functions.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, automation or continuous improvement initiatives is highly valued.
• Fluent English is required; German is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead a dedicated manufacturing unit within the Visp site, taking ownership of operational performance while leveraging shared infrastructure, services and governance.
• Define and execute operational strategies aligned with business priorities, optimizing capacity, productivity, workforce planning and resource allocation.
• Foster a strong safety and quality culture, ensuring adherence to GMP requirements, data integrity standards and regulatory expectations.
• Drive production performance, reliability, right-first-time execution and continuous improvement through Lean methodologies, automation and process optimization.
• Own operational budgets and controllable costs, oversee asset lifecycle strategies and sponsor capital investments to support sustainable growth and operational efficiency.
• Inspire, develop and empower a multidisciplinary leadership team, strengthening organizational capabilities, talent development and succession planning.
• Partner closely with Quality, Engineering, MSAT, Supply Chain, Project Management and Visp site leadership to ensure seamless execution and effective resource allocation.
• Represent Operations in strategic business discussions, customer interactions, audits and regulatory inspections, collaborating with key internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Stakeholder management

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Automation

Process optimization

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Technology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or related field

MBA or Executive MBA

Job description

Lonza Group Ltd. is seeking an experienced Head of Operations for Clinical Bioconjugation at the Visp site. You will lead a large manufacturing unit, drive operational strategy, and ensure safety, quality and regulatory excellence across a complex, matrixed organization.

You will shape capabilities, manage budgets, and partner with Quality, Engineering, MSAT and Supply Chain to deliver reliable production and sustainable growth at Lonza’s Visp facility.