Operational Excellence Lead

Bayer CropScience Limited; Myerstown (PA); On-site; USD 144,400 - 216,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Vision and dental plans

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Bayer CropScience Limited is seeking a Site OE and Capabilities Lead in Myerstown, Pennsylvania. This role leads all Operational Excellence activities, focusing on continuous improvement and digitalization within a high-performing team.

The ideal candidate has significant leadership experience in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly in managing complex manufacturing processes and driving transformation initiatives. The role offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of leadership experience in the FDA or pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience in managing complex manufacturing in consumer or pharmaceutical sectors.
• Proven expertise in organizational transformation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a high-performing team.
• Develop operational excellence and training functions.
• Drive innovation and digitalization initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Change management

Project management

Lean methodology

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Operational Excellence

Job description

Site OE and Capabilities Lead

Operational Excellence Lead

This role leads all Operational Excellence and Capabilities activities for the CH PS NA Myerstown site. The leader heads a dynamic team and is accountable for deploying and integrating the PSS (Product Supply System) program and capabilities across all functions. The role creates a functional and business vision to transform the organization from PSS phase 0 to phase 4, aiming for top‑decile operational performance by fostering a culture of continuous improvement and sustainable excellence.

The role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership capabilities, and a focus on driving innovation, digitalization, and cost efficiency. It provides strong leadership, coaching, and development for high‑performing teams with a culture based on the Bayer DSO principles. It ensures integration of the PSS program with the Factory of the Future site strategies, including automation, smart manufacturing, digitization, and a digitally enabled workforce. The incumbent acts as a change agent, collaborating across all site functions to embed PSS principles, tools, and methodologies into daily operations, creating measurable value and accelerating the plant’s journey to world‑class performance.

Your Tasks and Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Act as VACC (Visionary, Architect, Coach, and Catalyst) to build, lead, and mentor a high‑performing team, promote a collaborative and innovative work environment, and coordinate talent flow.
• People Development: Shape employee development, evaluation, and career pathways, recruit, hire, and onboard new staff, and foster an inclusive talent pool.
• Operational Excellence & Training: Establish, coach, and provide vision for the site’s Operational Excellence and Training functions, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional development.
• Capability Development: Identify training needs, develop or source programs, and support continuous improvement principles across teams.
• Strategy Development: Collaborate with cross‑functional leads to develop a comprehensive site strategy (SSR) covering space utilization, new technologies, facility layout, expansion, and integration with global innovation programs for a 5+ year plan.
• Performance Metrics: Lead the development of site KPIs, tools for monitoring performance, and monthly reporting.
• Operational Excellence / PSS Program: Ensure execution of robust OE, efficiency, and continuous improvement strategies aligned with the global PSS program; develop site PSS phase progression plan; deploy Lean improvement programs; identify digital tool needs; and integrate PSS with Factory of the Future strategies.
• Factory Innovation, New Technologies & Cost Improvement: Drive innovation and digitalization initiatives, lead cost‑saving projects, and focus on high‑priority opportunities.
• Capabilities Building: Design, implement, and sustain comprehensive learning initiatives focused on digital literacy and future‑ready capabilities.
• Quality & Compliance: Lead and protect the site’s “License to Operate,” ensure cGMP compliance, conduct audits, and provide expertise during FDA and other external audits.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work closely with core operations, supply chain, quality, controlling, manufacturing IT, CoE Hubs, procurement, HR, and other departments to ensure seamless collaboration.

WHO YOU ARE

Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or Master’s) in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Operational Excellence with 8–10 years of leadership experience in the FDA or pharmaceutical industry.
• Multifunctional experience managing complex manufacturing in consumer or pharmaceutical sectors.
• Experience in successful organizational transformation and change management initiatives.
• Strong project management and Lean methodology experience.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a data‑driven approach.
• Ability to inspire and motivate employees, promote continuous learning, and assess training impact.
• Experience in training, learning & development, or capability building.
• Strong knowledge of digital technologies, tools, and workplace trends.
• Exceptional people leadership and team‑building skills.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills across all levels.
• Commitment to inclusion, authenticity, and strategic thinking.
• Experience with GMP, OSHA, EPA, and Bayer regulatory standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Green Belt and/or Black Belt in Lean.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $144,400.00 – $216,600.00, plus potential bonus or incentive compensation. Benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, and sick leave.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Bayer is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans. Bayer is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its application process for individuals with disabilities and encourages applicants to request accommodations.

Location

United States – Pennsylvania – Myerstown.