Pilot Operations Lead

Lonza; Slough; On-site; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Agile career and dynamic culture

Inclusive and ethical workplace

Compensation programs recognizing high

Performance-based rewards

Job summary

Lonza is seeking an experienced Pilot Operations Lead to join the MSAT Pilot Plant team in Slough. You will provide strategic, technical and operational leadership across USP and/or DSP pilot-scale operations, overseeing a technically advanced team and ensuring delivery to quality, safety and cost targets.

This fully site-based role requires strong technical expertise, people leadership and a track record of delivering high-quality outcomes in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Qualifications

• BSc in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline with biopharma exposure.
• Strong experience in Upstream Processing (USP) and/or Downstream Processing (DSP).
• Proven pilot-scale leadership and technical oversight.
• End-to-end understanding of biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; able to troubleshoot.
• Strong data analysis and ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Collaborative leadership style with cross-functional influence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of direct reports.
• Plan and deliver pilot stages in collaboration with internal and external teams.
• Oversee quality, safety, and batch logistics for USP/DSP pilot facilities.
• Influence project discussions with stakeholders through strong communication.
• Manage performance, objectives and personal development.
• Identify training needs and drive operational improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement including EHS and cost reduction.

Skills

USP Experience

DSP Experience

People Leadership

Process Development

Project Management

Education

BSc in science or engineering

Job description

Job Title: Pilot Operations Lead

Location: Slough

The role:

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Operations Lead to join our MSAT Pilot Plant team, providing strategic, technical and operational leadership across Upstream (USP) and/or Downstream (DSP) pilot-scale operations.

Leading a technically advanced scientific team, you will oversee the successful execution and continuous improvement of pilot-scale activities supporting commercial and clinical manufacturing, technology transfer and process development. You will combine strong technical expertise with people leadership, ensuring the team delivers high-quality outcomes while maintaining excellent standards across safety, quality, cost and delivery.

This is a fully site‑based role. Working together in person supports close, real‑time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.

What you will get:

• An agile career and dynamic working culture
• An inclusive and ethical workplace
• Compensation programs that recognize high performance
• A variety of benefits dependant on role and location

The full list of our global benefits can be also found on https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits

What you will do:

• Management, leadership, oversight and development of a team of direct reports
• Successful planning, preparation and on time delivery of standard and complex pilot stages of work in collaboration with internal project teams and external
• Maintain oversight of quality, safety, commercial business results and batch logistics for USP and/or DSP pilot facilities and operations
• Leverage technical, operational knowledge and effective communication as well as established relationships with internal site peers to effectively influence project discussions
• Accountable for all aspects of performance management, objective setting and supporting personal development
• Organisational change to improve business results. Proactively anticipates training and
• operational gaps within area and in self-managing in resolving
• Accountable for the completion of continuous improvement activities including EHS processes, reducing costs

What we are looking for:

• A BSc in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline, or equivalent experience, providing a strong foundation in biopharmaceutical development or manufacturing.
• Strong technical experience within Upstream Processing (USP) and/or Downstream Processing (DSP), gained within process development, pilot-scale or manufacturing operations.
• Proven pilot-scale expertise, with the ability to provide technical leadership across both routine operations and complex, non-routine activities.
• A strong end‑to‑end understanding of biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes, with the ability to understand how pilot operations support process development, technology transfer and manufacturing.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the confidence to troubleshoot complex technical challenges, assess risk and make effective decisions.
• Strong data analysis and interpretation capabilities, with the ability to identify trends, translate data into meaningful insights and develop innovative solutions to improve process performance.
• A collaborative and influential leadership style, with the ability to engage technical teams and cross‑functional stakeholders while driving high standards of quality, safety and operational delivery.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone's ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that's the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you're ready to help turn our customers' breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.