Pilot Operations Lead at Lonza

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

Benefits offered by this job

Dynamic working culture

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Lonza in Slough, England, is seeking an experienced Pilot Operations Lead to join the MSAT Pilot Plant team. This on-site role provides strategic and technical leadership across Upstream and/or Downstream pilot-scale operations, ensuring high quality, safety, and efficiency in manufacturing and process development.

You will lead a technically advanced team, drive continuous improvement, and coordinate with internal project teams to deliver on-time results, while maintaining rigorous standards

Qualifications

• Candidates should have a strong foundation in biopharmaceutical development or manufacturing.
• Experience leading pilot-scale Upstream and/or Downstream operations.
• Proven ability to plan, execute and improve pilot-scale activities with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of direct reports on pilot-scale projects.
• Plan and deliver standard and complex pilot stages in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Oversee quality, safety, and batch logistics for USP and/or DSP pilot facilities.
• Influence project discussions through technical leadership and strong communication.
• Drive performance management and continuous improvement across the area.

Skills

Leadership

Biopharma expertise

USP/DSP experience

Pilot-scale operations

Analytical problem-solving

Education

BSc in a scientific or engineering discipline

Job description

Pilot Operations Lead at Lonza in Slough, ENG, GB. This Full time on site position offers great opportunities for career growth.

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.