Operational Excellence Leader
Japan, Sagamihara

Operational Excellence Leader

勤務地：相模原（Sagamihara, Japan）

Role Purpose

相模原工場におけるOperational Excellence（OE）活動をリードし、安全・品質・生産性・コスト・設備信頼性の継続的な向上を実現するポジションです。

本ポジションは、単に改善プロジェクトを管理する役割ではありません。
工場の現場（Gemba）に入り、データと事実に基づいて課題を特定し、製造・品質・エンジニアリング・サプライチェーンなどの関係者を巻き込みながら、改善を実行・定着させることが期待されます。

また、個別の改善成果だけでなく、オペレーター、スーパーバイザー、エンジニア、マネージャーが自ら継続的に改善できる組織能力（Continuous Improvement Capability）の構築を担っていただきます。

Global Operational Excellence / Manufacturing Excellence networkとも連携し、グローバルのベストプラクティスを日本工場へ展開するとともに、相模原で生み出した改善・デジタル活用のベストプラクティスをグローバルへ発信していただきます。

Key Responsibilities

1. Drive Operational Excellence at the site

  • 工場のSafety、Quality、Delivery、Cost、Productivityを向上させるOE戦略・ロードマップを策定し、実行する

  • Gemba walk、データ分析、Process mapping等を通じて、工程・設備・人・材料に起因するロスや改善機会を特定する

  • 生産性、Yield、Downtime、Changeover、Labor productivity、Process losses等の改善をリードする

  • Lean / Continuous Improvement toolsを活用し、改善成果を定量的に創出・定着させる

2. Lead cross-functional improvement

  • Manufacturing、Engineering、Quality、Supply Chain、Finance等を巻き込んだ部門横断プロジェクトをリードする

  • 改善テーマの優先順位を設定し、Business impact、Risk、Resources、Timelineを考慮して実行する

  • 改善効果をKPIおよびFinancial impactの両面から評価する

3. Build Continuous Improvement capability

  • オペレーター、スーパーバイザー、エンジニア、マネージャーに対してLean thinking、problem solving、standard work等の教育・コーチングを行う

  • Kaizen、Problem Solving、Daily Management等の仕組みを工場内に定着させる

  • 工場各部門が自律的に改善を継続できるCapabilityを構築する

4. Drive digital and data-driven improvement

  • Excel、Power BI、SQL、Power Platform等のデジタルツールを活用し、製造パフォーマンスを可視化する

  • データ分析を活用してLoss identification、Root Cause Analysis、Performance managementを高度化する

  • 紙や属人的な管理から、より効率的でデータドリブンな業務プロセスへの変革を推進する

  • AIや新しいデジタル技術の製造現場への活用機会を探索する

5. Collaborate with the Global network

  • Global Operational Excellence / Manufacturing Excellence teamsと連携し、グローバル標準・ベストプラクティスを日本工場へ展開する

  • 日本工場で得られた改善事例やベストプラクティスをグローバルへ発信する

  • 英語によるGlobal meeting、project review、technical discussion等に参加する

What You Will Deliver

入社後は、単なるプロジェクト管理ではなく、以下のような具体的な成果が期待されます。

  • 工場の主要Lossおよび改善Opportunityの可視化

  • 改善テーマの優先順位付けと実行

  • 定量的なSafety / Quality / Productivity / Cost改善

  • 現場リーダー・オペレーターのProblem Solving capability向上

  • Continuous Improvement cultureの定着

  • データ・デジタルを活用した工場管理の高度化

  • Global OE networkとの効果的な連携

Required Qualifications

  • 製造業、製造現場、Engineering、Operations、Continuous Improvement、Operational Excellence等のいずれかにおいて、2年以上の実務経験

  • 現場の問題を特定し、改善を実行した実績

  • 改善成果を定量的なKPIで説明できること

  • 部門横断のプロジェクトをリードした経験

  • オペレーター、スーパーバイザー、エンジニア等への教育・コーチング経験

  • 高い問題解決力、分析力、プロジェクトマネジメント能力

  • 日本語での高いコミュニケーション能力

  • 英語での会議・プレゼンテーション・メールによるコミュニケーション能力

  • 大学卒以上

Preferred Qualifications

  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt / Black Belt、または同等の実務経験

  • Lean、TPS、VSM、SMED、TPM、Standard Work、Daily Management等の知識・実践経験

  • GMP / GxP、ISO等の規制環境での製造経験

  • Power BI、SQL、Power Platform、Python等を用いたデータ分析・業務改善経験

  • 製薬、化学、食品、医療機器、自動車、その他のプロセス／ディスクリート製造業での経験

  • Global manufacturing organizationとの協働経験

What We Are Looking For

私たちは、改善手法を知っているだけではなく、自ら現場に入り、人を巻き込み、改善を実行し、その成果を組織に定着させられる方を求めています。

例えば、以下のような経験をお持ちの方を歓迎します。

  • 「何が問題か」をデータと現場観察から特定した

  • 改善前後を数値で説明できる

  • オペレーターや現場リーダーを巻き込んで改善した

  • 一時的なKaizenではなく、Standard WorkやManagement Systemとして定着させた

  • 改善活動を自分自身でリードし、具体的な成果を生み出した

  • デジタルツールを使って、工場の見える化・意思決定を改善した

一方、改善手法の知識や資料作成だけでなく、現場での実行力と人を動かす力を重視します。

Why Join Lonza

ロンザでは「人」が最大の強みです。世界各地の製造拠点、専門家、リーダーがグローバルに連携しながら、未来の医薬品製造を支えています。

相模原工場のOperational Excellenceをさらに進化させ、日本工場の改善力をグローバルへ発信する重要な役割を担っていただけます。

多様なバックグラウンドを持つメンバーと協働しながら、現場の変革を実現し、その成果を世界へ展開したい方を歓迎します。

The Operations Excellence Leader is responsible for leading Operational Excellence (OE) initiatives at the Sagamihara site to drive continuous improvements in safety, quality, productivity, cost, and equipment reliability.

This position is not simply responsible for managing improvement projects. The successful candidate is expected to work directly on the factory floor (Gemba), identify opportunities based on data and facts, and drive sustainable improvements by engaging stakeholders across Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and other functions.

In addition to delivering individual improvement projects, this role is responsible for building organizational capability in Continuous Improvement, enabling operators, supervisors, engineers, and managers to independently identify and implement improvements.

The position will also collaborate closely with the Global Operational Excellence and Manufacturing Excellence networks, deploying global best practices within the Japan site while sharing improvement successes and digital transformation initiatives from Sagamihara with the wider global organization.

What You’ll Get

  • A dynamic and flexible workplace environment that supports career growth

  • An inclusive corporate culture that emphasizes diversity, equity, and ethics

  • A reward system that fairly recognizes high achievements

  • Comprehensive benefits system tailored to position and work location

What You’ll Do

1. Drive Operational Excellence at the Site

  • Develop and execute the site's Operational Excellence strategy and roadmap to improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Productivity.

  • Identify losses and improvement opportunities related to processes, equipment, people, and materials through Gemba walks, data analysis, process mapping, and related methodologies.

  • Lead initiatives to improve productivity, yield, downtime, changeover performance, labor productivity, and process losses.

  • Utilize Lean and Continuous Improvement tools to deliver measurable and sustainable improvements.

2. Lead Cross-Functional Improvement Initiatives

  • Lead cross-functional projects involving Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, and other functions.

  • Prioritize improvement initiatives based on business impact, risk, resource availability, and implementation timelines.

  • Evaluate improvement outcomes using both operational KPIs and financial impact measures.

3. Build Continuous Improvement Capability

  • Provide training and coaching to operators, supervisors, engineers, and managers in Lean thinking, problem-solving methodologies, and standard work practices.

  • Establish and sustain systems such as Kaizen, Problem Solving, and Daily Management throughout the site.

  • Build organizational capability that enables departments to continuously improve independently.

4. Drive Digital and Data-Driven Improvement

  • Utilize digital tools such as Excel, Power BI, SQL, and Power Platform to visualize and monitor manufacturing performance.

  • Leverage data analytics to enhance loss identification, root cause analysis, and performance management.

  • Drive the transition from paper-based and manually managed processes toward more efficient, data-driven workflows.

  • Explore opportunities to apply AI and emerging digital technologies within manufacturing operations.

5. Collaborate with the Global Network

  • Partner with Global Operational Excellence and Manufacturing Excellence teams to deploy global standards and best practices within the Japan site.

  • Share successful improvement initiatives and best practices developed at the Japan facility with the broader global network.

  • Participate in global meetings, project reviews, and technical discussions conducted in English.

What You Will Deliver

Beyond project management, you will be expected to achieve tangible business outcomes, including:

  • Increased visibility of major manufacturing losses and improvement opportunities.

  • Effective prioritization and execution of improvement initiatives.

  • Measurable improvements in Safety, Quality, Productivity, and Cost performance.

  • Enhanced problem-solving capability among operators and frontline leaders.

  • Development and sustainment of a Continuous Improvement culture.

  • Greater use of data and digital tools in factory management and decision-making.

  • Strong collaboration with the Global Operational Excellence network.

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone who not only understands improvement methodologies but also actively engages with the operation, motivates people, executes improvements, and embeds sustainable change within the organization.

We would particularly welcome candidates who have demonstrated the ability to:

  • Identify operational problems through data analysis and direct observation of the workplace.

  • Quantify improvements using measurable business results.

  • Engage operators and frontline leaders in the improvement process.

  • Sustain improvements through Standard Work and management systems rather than one-time Kaizen events.

  • Personally lead improvement initiatives and deliver tangible business outcomes.

  • Enhance factory visibility and decision-making through the effective use of digital tools.

  • Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas:

    • Manufacturing

    • Manufacturing Operations

    • Engineering

    • Continuous Improvement

    • Operational Excellence

  • Demonstrated success in identifying operational issues and implementing improvements.

  • Ability to quantify and communicate improvement results using KPIs and performance metrics.

  • Experience leading cross-functional projects.

  • Experience providing training and coaching to operators, supervisors, engineers, or similar employee groups.

  • Strong problem-solving, analytical, and project management skills.

  • Excellent communication skills in Japanese.

  • Ability to communicate effectively in English through meetings, presentations, and written correspondence.

  • Bachelor's degree or higher.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent practical experience.

  • Knowledge and hands-on experience with:

    • Lean Manufacturing

    • Toyota Production System (TPS)

    • Value Stream Mapping (VSM)

    • Single-Minute Exchange of Die (SMED)

    • Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)

    • Standard Work

    • Daily Management

  • Manufacturing experience within regulated environments such as GMP, GxP, or ISO-certified operations.

  • Experience using Power BI, SQL, Power Platform, Python, or similar tools for data analysis and business improvement.

  • Experience in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food manufacturing, medical devices, automotive, or other process/discrete manufacturing industries.

  • Experience working within global manufacturing organizations.

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 value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.

Reference: R76348