Director of Continuous Improvement

Merck & Co.; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics, Inc. is seeking a Continuous Improvement Director to design the CI system and foster a culture of ongoing improvement across the organization.

You will partner with the Executive Leadership Team to define strategy, governance, and operating cadence, delivering cost savings, quality and efficiency gains. You will lead cross-functional transformations across Manufacturing, Quality, MSAT, R&D, Supply Chain, and related functions for both CDMO and Discovery Research

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience leading operational excellence.
• Experience in GMP manufacturing or similar regulated environments.
• Senior leadership experience with governance and cross-functional accountability.
• Proven ability to build/mature a management system across multiple functions.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification with demonstrated results.

Responsibilities

• Lead CI transformation strategy with Executive Leadership Team.
• Develop and sustain CI operating system with KPI ownership and visual management.
• Lead cross-functional transformation across multiple functions.
• Convert strategic goals into measurable improvement projects.
• Develop CI KPIs and dashboards and report on progress.
• Apply advanced problem-solving to improve quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
• Create and deliver CI training on Lean, Six Sigma, and change management.
• Establish governance and sustain CI behaviors across the organization.
• Collaborate with FUJIFILM divisions to advance CI system.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Job description

Position Overview

The Continuous Improvement Director will lead operational excellence programs for FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, Inc. (FCDI), designing the FCDI continuous improvement system, and building a culture of continuous improvement. This role will own continuous improvement transformation by identifying opportunities and driving solutions which bring cost savings, efficiency gains, and improved quality. This role will create and sustain an operating system that drives a continuous improvement mindset at all levels and in all functions.

Company Overview

At FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, we're unlocking the power of human cells to change lives. Using revolutionary induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, we drive advancements in drug discovery, disease modeling, cell therapy, research tools, and cell therapy manufacturing. Our mission is deeply meaningful, and we're looking for bold innovators to join us.

At FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics, you'll thrive in a collaborative and cutting-edge environment that encourages creativity and celebrates breakthroughs. If you're ready to do work that makes a real impact and propels healthcare forward, this is your chance to be part of something extraordinary for science, patients, and yourself.

Our headquarters is in Madison, Wisconsin, a dynamic city celebrated for its lakes, parks, cultural richness, biotech leadership, and access to world‑class academia.

Fujifilm is globally headquartered in Tokyo with over 70,000 employees across four key business segments of healthcare, electronics, business innovation, and imaging. We are guided and united by our Group Purpose of "giving our world more smiles." Visit: https://www.fujifilm.com/us/en/about/region/careers

Job Description

Essential Job Functions

• Serve as the site continuous improvement transformation leader, partnering with the Executive Leadership Team to define and execute the continuous improvement transformation strategy, governance model, operating cadence, and priorities.
• Establish and maintain a continuous improvement management/ operating system that aligns strategy execution, daily management, accountability, visual performance tracking, KPI ownership, and operational discipline.
• Lead cross-functional transformation initiatives across Manufacturing, Quality, MSAT, PD, AD, R&D, Supply Chain, Facilities, Finance, and support functions for both CDMO and Discovery Research products to improve safety, quality, delivery, cost, resource management, compliance, and customer outcomes.
• Convert strategic goals into improvement projects with defined deliverables, measurable outcomes, and value-based prioritization.
• Develop meaningful continuous improvement KPIs and lead the reporting and maintenance of visual management dashboards across functions such as tier-level meetings to track KPIs and operational excellence initiatives.
• Drive operational excellence by applying advanced problem-solving and continuous improvement methods to reduce deviations and improve right-first-time performance, cycle time, capacity, productivity, resource management, S&OP alignment, inventory optimization, and cost performance.
• Create and deliver structured training in the continuous improvement management/ operating system to all levels of the organization to include Lean, Six Sigma, and operational change management.
• Establish ways of working, governance, accountability, and continuous improvement behaviors that sustain organization-wide results beyond individual projects.
• Lead and develop the continuous improvement management/ operating system in collaboration with other FUJIFILM divisions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; advanced degree preferred
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience leading operational excellence/ continuous improvement
• Demonstrated experience leading transformation/ continuous improvement in GMP manufacturing, biologics, cell therapy, gene therapy, sterile manufacturing, pharmaceutical operations, or similarly regulated environments, preferably in a CDMO environment
• Demonstrated ability to operate as a senior leader and trusted partner to executive leadership, including governance, operating reviews, decision support, and cross functional accountability
• Proven experience building or maturing a management system, production system, or business operating system across multiple functions
• Certification in Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Master Black Belt, Lean, Operational Excellence, or equivalent demonstrated capability with demonstrated application in design and execution of continuous improvement management/ operating systems, and achievement of meaningful measurable results
• Track record delivering measurable business results through transformation, including quality, delivery, productivity, cost, inventory, compliance, cycle time, or client performance improvements
• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect operational performance to financial outcomes

EEO Information

Fujifilm is committed to providing equal opportunities in hiring, promotion and advancement, compensation, benefits, and training regardless of nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, political creed, ideology, national, or social origin, disability, veteran status, etc.

ADA Information

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to our HR Department ([e-mail]).