Pilot Operations Lead

Lonza Group Ltd.; Slough; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

An agile career and dynamic working文化

An inclusive and ethical workplace

Compensation programs recognizing high

Benefits dependant on role and locale

Job summary

Lonza Group Ltd. in Slough is seeking a Pilot Operations Lead to manage and develop a team responsible for pilot-scale biopharmaceutical processes. You will ensure timely delivery of pilot stages in collaboration with internal and external project teams.

The role requires strong knowledge of USP/DSP, practical pilot-scale leadership, and a track record of influencing discussions, with a focus on quality, safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• BSc in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline is required.
• Strong technical experience in USP and/or DSP within process development or manufacturing.
• Pilot-scale expertise with ability to lead routine and non-routine activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of direct reports.
• Plan and deliver pilot stages in collaboration with project teams.
• Oversee quality, safety, and batch logistics for pilot facilities.
• Influence project discussions through technical leadership and strong communication.
• Manage performance objectives and personal development.
• Drive organizational change to improve business results.
• Identify training and operational gaps and address them.
• Drive continuous improvement including EHS processes and cost reduction.

Skills

Leadership

Biopharmaceutical knowledge

Upstream Processing (USP)

Downstream Processing (DSP)

Process development

Pilot-scale

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Data analysis

Communication

Quality and safety

Risk assessment

Decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BSc in scientific or engineering discipline

Job description

Job Title: Pilot Operations Lead Location: Slough

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.