Operational Excellence Lead - Senior Specialist, Dunboyne

MSD Ireland; Dunboyne; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD Ireland in Dunboyne is seeking a senior Operations Excellence professional to drive continuous improvement across Downstream Operations. You will deploy an Operations Excellence roadmap, partnering with Manufacturing Science & Technology, Quality and Engineering to deliver measurable safety, quality, and productivity gains.

You will coach teams, drive Lean/Six Sigma initiatives, and translate business objectives into practical improvement projects within a highly regulated biologics

Qualifications

• Degree in Science, Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related discipline.
• Experience within biologics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and end-to-end production processes.
• Proven experience leading operational excellence, continuous improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, or business transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency, quality, cost, or waste reduction.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience influencing and driving change across cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage audiences at all levels.
• Strong problem-solving skills with experience using structured improvement methodologies.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with practical execution in a fast-paced operational environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Operations Excellence roadmap for Downstream Operations.
• Identify improvement opportunities and lead initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality, throughput, and operational performance.
• Partner with operational teams to implement continuous improvement tools and ways of working.
• Drive problem-solving activities using structured methodologies and data-driven decision-making.
• Support the implementation of standardised processes, visual management, workflow optimisation, and value stream improvements.
• Coach and mentor operational teams on continuous improvement principles and best practices.
• Collaborate with leadership teams to translate business objectives into practical improvement initiatives.
• Build strong relationships across Operations, Technical Operations, Engineering, Quality, and site leadership functions.
• Monitor, track, and report programme progress, ensuring improvements deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Champion a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and continuous learning across the organisation.

Skills

Adaptability

Analytical problem solving

Continuous improvement principles

Cross-functional collaboration

Decision making

KPI management

Manufacturing operations

Process improvements

Process optimization

Production planning

Production scheduling

Project management

Training and development

Education

Degree in Science, Engineering, Biotechnology, or related

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

Structured problem solving

Job description

About the Role and Site

Join a leading biologics manufacturing site in Dunboyne and play a key role in driving operational excellence across Downstream Operations. As a member of the Downstream Leadership Team, you will lead the deployment of continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable business results in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost.

Job Description

This is a highly visible individual contributor role, ideal for someone who understands pharmaceutical manufacturing, enjoys influencing without authority, and can turn continuous improvement principles into practical solutions that create lasting operational impact.

Working closely with Operations, Manufacturing Science & Technology, Quality, Engineering, and site leadership teams, you will help shape how operational excellence is embedded across the organisation while supporting a culture of continuous improvement and sustainable performance.

Bring energy, knowledge, and innovation to carry out the following:

• Develop and execute the Operations Excellence roadmap for Downstream Operations.
• Identify improvement opportunities and lead initiatives that enhance efficiency, quality, throughput, and operational performance.
• Partner with operational teams to implement continuous improvement tools and ways of working.
• Drive problem-solving activities using structured methodologies and data-driven decision-making.
• Support the implementation of standardised processes, visual management, workflow optimisation, and value stream improvements.
• Coach and mentor operational teams on continuous improvement principles and best practices.
• Collaborate with leadership teams to translate business objectives into practical improvement initiatives.
• Build strong relationships across Operations, Technical Operations, Engineering, Quality, and site leadership functions.
• Monitor, track, and report programme progress, ensuring improvements deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Champion a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and continuous learning across the organisation.

What Skills You Will Need

• Degree in Science, Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related discipline.
• Experience within biologics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations and end-to-end production processes.
• Proven experience leading operational excellence, continuous improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, or business transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency, quality, cost, or waste reduction.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience influencing and driving change across cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage audiences at all levels.
• Strong problem-solving skills with experience using structured improvement methodologies.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with practical execution in a fast-paced operational environment.

Required Skills

Adaptability, Analytical Problem Solving, Continuous Improvement Principles, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Decision Making, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Manufacturing Operations, Process Improvements, Process Optimization, Production Planning, Production Scheduling, Project Management, Training and Development

Preferred Skills

Lean Six Sigma (LSS)

Secondary Language(s) Job Description

We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world's most challenging healthcare needs.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing inclusive, talented, and committed people together.

Please don't hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition Advisor assigned to this role should you need any support during our recruitment process.

We are committed to flexible working where possible, and this is why our Company has introduced a new hybrid working model for office-based colleagues around the world.

Please feel free to speak to us about what flexibility means to you during your application.

So, If You Are Ready To

Invent solutions to meet unmet healthcare needs,

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

VISA Sponsorship

Travel Requirements

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Valid Driving License

Hazardous Material(s)

Job Posting End Date

10/5/2026