Associate Director, Process & Analytical Development

Lonza Group Ltd.; Walkersville (MD); Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) matching

Life insurance

Short-term and long-term disability

Employee assistance program

Paid time off

Job summary

Lonza Group Ltd. seeks an Associate Director, Process & Analytical Development to lead analytical and process development, ensuring safe, compliant, on-time, and cost-effective operations. The role initially supports remote work with a planned shift to the U.S.

ADPD center as the program expands, overseeing a high-performing team and driving strategic portfolio direction. You will shape operational readiness, lead capability development, and contribute to S&OP alignment, while guiding Lean and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (engineering, life sciences, chemistry, biochemistry) required.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in pharma/biotech, with GMP exposure.
• Proven track record leading startups, tech transfers, validation, and capital projects.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, process and analytical development, and commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for analytical and process development and project manufacturing.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing ADPD team with a culture of accountability and safety.
• Drive Lean maturity and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Ensure safety, quality, compliance, and budget objectives are met and resources are allocated effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Project management

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

GMP knowledge

Communication

Education

Master’s degree

Job description

Associate Director, Process & Analytical Development Location: This position is currently remote. A future transition to an on-site location on the U.S. East-Coast/Mid-West is anticipated as the project progresses, with an expected timeline in 2027. This is a full-time role with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

What you will get:

The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $155,700 to $181,650.

• Performance-related bonus.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• 401(k) matching plan.
• Life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Employee assistance programs.
• Paid time off (PTO).

Compensation for this role will be determined by the candidate’s qualifications, skills, experience, and relevant knowledge.

What will you do:

The Associate Director, Process & Analytical Development (ADPD) provides strategic and operational leadership for analytical development, process development, and project-specific manufacturing activities within the ADPD organization. This role is accountable for ensuring the organization consistently delivers services and products safely, compliantly, on time, in full, and within budget while supporting ADS business objectives and long-term growth strategies. This position will initially operate remotely and transition to the future U.S. ADPD center of gravity as the organization continues to expand. Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing Process & Analytical Development team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, continuous improvement, and operational readiness. Define the strategic direction of the ADPD organization through long-range planning, portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, and performance management. Drive organizational readiness and capability development to support future manufacturing operations and business growth. Serve as a key contributor to the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, ensuring capabilities, capacity, and organizational structures align with customer demand and business objectives. Ensure the successful execution of all development and manufacturing activities while meeting safety, quality, compliance, and business requirements. Maintain ownership of operational budgets and resources to ensure efficient and effective organizational performance. Drive Lean maturity and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization, establishing a culture focused on operational excellence and performance. Lead the execution of strategic initiatives that support business objectives and organizational growth within the ADPD function.

Additional Responsibilities:

Partner closely with R&D and technical organizations to support the deployment of new technologies and innovative development approaches. Serve as a subject matter expert during product acquisition, technology transfer, and process development activities. Support facility startup, operational readiness, validation, and manufacturing scale-up initiatives. Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, MSAT, Automation, EH&S, Finance, and HR to ensure successful project execution and organizational alignment. Establish strong governance and communication practices that enable effective decision-making and risk management. Build organizational capability and succession plans to support future operational requirements. Drive adoption of digital tools, automation solutions, and data-driven decision-making practices.

What we are looking for:

Master’s degree in engineering, Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline. Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, process development, analytical development, or manufacturing operations. Deep understanding of small molecule and bioconjugate technologies. Significant experience within GMP-regulated pharmaceutical or biotechnology environments. Proven leadership experience supporting facility startups, technology transfers, validation programs, operational readiness initiatives, or large-scale capital projects. Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing operations, GMP requirements, process development, analytical development, and commercialization activities. Experience supporting greenfield and brownfield facility expansion projects and cross-functional project governance. Demonstrated expertise in small molecule drug substance manufacturing processes and technologies. Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders including Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, MSAT, Automation, EH&S, Finance, and Human Resources. Strong strategic and practical problem-solving capabilities with the ability to translate business requirements into operational solutions. Excellent executive communication and presentation skills, with experience reporting risks, operational readiness, and business performance to senior leadership. Demonstrated success building teams, developing organizational capability, and preparing organizations for operational growth. Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma methodologies, digital systems, automation technologies, and data integrity principles. Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment and effectively manage ambiguity, evolving priorities, and multiple stakeholder groups. Strong leadership presence with a track record of delivering results through collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

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 offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.