Operational Excellence - Sr. Manager

ThermoFisher Scientific; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Thermo Fisher Scientific in St. Louis seeks a Senior Manager of PPI Business System to drive transformational change across the organization.

You will implement the Practical Process Improvement system, partnering with leaders to mature lean practices and coach teams to deliver measurable improvements in quality, productivity and customer satisfaction. This role requires cross-functional collaboration, strong communication, and the ability to lead in a matrix environment with travel up to 20%.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree with 6+ years lean leadership experience.
• Hands-on experience in operational excellence, lean, or PPI in manufacturing.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt required.
• PMI PMP certification a plus.
• Experience deploying PPI/lean tools including value stream mapping.
• Strong financial acumen to quantify improvements.
• Excellent communication and influencing across all levels.
• Experience leading change initiatives in a matrix organization.
• Willingness to travel up to 20%.
• Manufacturing/operations experience preferred.
• Data analytics and performance metrics expertise.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work across functions without direct authority.
• Experience in regulated life sciences or medical devices preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the PPI Business System across the organization.
• Partner with business leaders to mature lean management practices.
• Coach and facilitate improvement initiatives with cross-functional teams.
• Develop organizational capability and ensure sustainable improvements.
• Deliver measurable results in quality, productivity and customer satisfaction.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and problem solving.
• Support transformation initiatives in a matrix environment.
• Identify improvement opportunities and track benefits.

Skills

Lean leadership

Change management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Coaching/mentoring

Strategic thinking

Influencing

Travel up to 20%

Education

Advanced Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Office

Job Description

Move fast. Think big. Make an impact that can change lives.

At Thermo Fisher Scientific's St. Louis site, we move with urgency because what we do matters. Every day, our teams are helping turn breakthrough science into biologic medicines for patients around the world—and behind every batch, every decision and every challenge we solve is a patient waiting for what we make.

This is a fast-paced, high-energy environment where science, technology and talented people come together to do extraordinary work. Whether you're in manufacturing, quality, engineering, the lab or a support function, you are part of the mission. Your expertise matters. Your ideas matter. Your ability to move quickly, solve problems and deliver matters.

DESCRIPTION

As a Senior Manager of PPI Business System at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you will facilitate transformational change and continuous improvement across the organization. Leading the implementation of our Practical Process Improvement (PPI) Business System, you will partner with business leaders to establish and mature lean management practices that enable profitable growth, enhance customer experience, and increase employee engagement. Through strategic deployment, coaching, and hands-on facilitation of improvement initiatives, you will help develop a problem-solving culture focused on operational excellence. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline processes, eliminate waste, and deliver measurable results in quality, productivity, and customer satisfaction.

As a strategic partner, coach, and hands-on improvement leader, you will help build a culture of continuous improvement and structured problem solving. You will work across functions and organizational levels to identify improvement opportunities, facilitate high-impact initiatives, develop organizational capability, and ensure improvements deliver measurable and sustainable business results.

REQUIREMENTS

• Advanced Degree plus 6 years of experience, or Bachelor's Degree plus 8 years of experience in lean leadership implementing continuous improvement initiatives
• Hands on experience in operational excellence, lean, continuous improvement, or PPI in a complex operational or manufacturing environment.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt required
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification a plus
• Demonstrated experience developing and deploying PPI/lean tools including:
• Strategy deployment and value stream mapping
• Tiered daily management systems and leader standard work
• Kaizen facilitation and problem-solving methodologies
• Standard work, error-proofing, and visual management
• Strong financial and business acumen with ability to identify, quantify and track improvement opportunities
• Excellent communication, presentation and influence skills to engage all organizational levels
• Demonstrated success coaching and developing continuous improvement capabilities in others
• Experience leading change initiatives in a matrix organization
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to travel up to 20%
• Manufacturing/operations experience preferred
• Expertise in data analytics and performance metrics
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite required
• Commitment to driving improvement and leading transformational change
• Ability to work effectively across functions without direct authority
• Experience in regulated industry (e.g., life sciences, medical devices) preferred

Compensation & Benefits

We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to support your health, wellbeing, financial security and life outside of work. Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement and savings programs, paid time off, wellbeing resources, business resource groups, career development opportunities and additional programs to support you and your family.

Compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, skills, education, internal equity, geographic location and other job-related considerations.

Because when you're helping us deliver for patients, we want to help you thrive-at work and beyond.

Other

Relocation assistance is not provided.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States now and in the future, without sponsorship.

Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening.

Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.