Operational Excellence Lead

Viatris; Dublin; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression

Work-life balance

Bonus scheme

Health insurance

Pension

Job summary

Viatris in Ireland seeks an Operational Excellence Lead to drive transformation across the site, champion Lean Six Sigma, and develop standardized, high-quality processes. You will lead cross-functional teams and coach belts on the shop floor while embedding 6S and visual management practices.

The role requires a strong PMI/Lean Six Sigma background, a Bachelor’s degree, and 7–10 years in operational excellence within pharma manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, business, IT or a related discipline; 7–10 years in operational excellence.
• Strong knowledge of pharma manufacturing processes (drug product and device assembly preferable).
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt; PMI or similar project management qualification.

Responsibilities

• Strategy & Leadership: develop and lead execution of the site’s Operational Excellence strategy; promote continuous improvement.
• Lean Six Sigma Deployment: lead high-impact CI projects; mentor belts; embed lean principles on the shop floor.
• Workshop Facilitation & Stakeholder Engagement: run Kaizen events, value stream mapping, problem-solving workshops; secure cross-functional buy-in.
• Process Mapping & Visual Management: create detailed process maps, SOPs, and visual tools for standardization and transparency.
• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: define KPIs, report progress to senior leadership, drive corrective actions.

Skills

Lean

Six Sigma

DMAIC

Analytical skills

Process mapping

Data analysis software

Facilitation

Coaching

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/manufacturing/business/IT

Tools

Visio

Miro

Job description

McDermott Laboratories Limited Viatris is a global healthcare company uniquely positioned to bridge the traditional divide between generics and brands, combining the best of both to more holistically address healthcare needs globally. With a mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, we provide access at scale, currently supplying high-quality medicines to approximately 1 billion patients around the world annually and touching all of life's moments, from birth to the end of life, acute conditions to chronic diseases. We have been included on number of award lists that demonstrate the impact we are making. Our global portfolio includes best-in-class, iconic brand-name products as well as global key brands; generics, including branded and complex generics; and other offerings across a wide range of therapeutic areas. We are committed to helping create healthier communities worldwide through education, outreach and better access to treatment. For those driven to live their lives with purpose, Viatris helps employees realise their full potential by creating a collaborative culture that fosters courage and resilience. Viatris is more than just a place to work. This is a place to make a difference in the world. As a member of MDR Senior Leadership Team, the Operational Excellence Lead is responsible for driving transformational change and continuous improvement across the site. This role will champion Lean Six Sigma methodologies, facilitate cross-functional workshops, and implement sustainable process improvements that enhance quality, efficiency, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Leadership

• Support development of, and lead execution of the site’s Operational Excellence strategy aligned with global and local business goals.
• Act as a change agent, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and operational discipline.

Lean Six Sigma Deployment

• Lead high-impact improvement projects using Lean Six Sigma tools (Black Belt level).
• Mentor and coach Green Belts and other team members in OpEx methodologies.
• Lead yellow-belt training and certification to foster a lean mindset at all levels of the site.
• Embed OE principles into daily operations via the tiered meeting structure, implementation of 6S and workplace organization systems and engagement of personnel in Gemba walks.

Workshop Facilitation & Stakeholder Engagement

• Hands-on facilitation of Kaizen events, value stream mapping sessions, and problem-solving workshops.
• Engage cross-functional teams to identify improvement opportunities and ensure buy-in.

Process Mapping & Visual Management

• Develop detailed process maps, SOPs, and visual tools to support standardization and transparency.
• Implement visual management systems to monitor performance and drive accountability.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Define and track KPIs to measure the impact of improvement initiatives.
• Report progress to senior leadership and recommend corrective actions where needed.

About Your Skills & Experience

For this role, we’re looking for a candidate who has an effective combination of the following qualifications, skills and experiences:

Qualifications & Experience

Educational Background:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, business, IT or a related discipline 7 - 10 years working in operational excellence Strong knowledge of pharma manufacturing processes (drug product and device assembly preferable) Lean Six Sigma Black Belt PMI or similar project management qualification

Technical Skills

• Expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, and other CI methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in process mapping tools (e.g., Visio, Miro) and data analysis software.

Interpersonal & Leadership Skills

• Excellent facilitation and coaching abilities.
• Strong communication and influencing skills across all levels of the organization.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to lead cross-functional teams.

Hands-On Approach

• Comfortable working on the shop floor and engaging directly with operators and technicians.
• Ability to translate strategic goals into practical, actionable improvements.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Number and impact of CI projects delivered.
• Reduction in waste, cycle time, and deviations.
• Employee engagement in OpEx initiatives.
• Training and certification of internal CI practitioners (Yellow and Green belts).

Benefits at Viatris

At Viatris, we offer competitive salaries, benefits and an inclusive environment where you can use your experiences, perspectives and skills to help make an impact on the lives of others.

Some of our benefits include the following on top of a competitive salary:

• Excellent career progression opportunities
• Work-life balance initiatives
• Bonus scheme
• Health insurance
• Pension

At Viatris, we offer competitive salaries, benefits and an inclusive environment where you can use your experiences, perspectives and skills to help make an impact on the lives of others.

Diversity & Inclusion at Viatris

At Viatris, diversity and inclusion are essential to our mission.

The diversity we foster in all aspects of our business can be one of our greatest strengths in redefining healthcare not as it is, but as it should be.

If you would like to know more about what diversity, equity and inclusion means to us, please visit https://www.viatris.com/en/Careers/Diversity-and-Inclusion

Sustainability at Viatris

Corporate social responsibility is fundamental to the Viatris mission.

We work to advance responsible and sustainable operations and leverage our collective expertise to empower people to live healthier at every stage of life, recognizing that our actions affect the stakeholders and communities we serve.

To learn more about our efforts, please visit https://www.viatris.com/en/about-us/corporate-responsibility

At Viatris, we offer competitive salaries, benefits and an inclusive environment where you can use your experiences, perspectives and skills to help make an impact on the lives of others.

Viatris is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Viatris is a global healthcare company formed in 2020 through the combination of Mylan and Upjohn, a legacy division of Pfizer.

By integrating the strengths of these two companies, including our global workforce, we aim to deliver increased access to affordable, quality medicines for patients worldwide, regardless of geography or circumstance.

We believe in healthcare as it should be – empowering people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life.

Because of our unwavering belief that better access leads to better health, we leverage our best-in-class manufacturing and scientific expertise and proven commercial capabilities to bring quality medicines to patients when and where they need them.