The posting
Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across three continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.
The Site Head, Bend, Advanced Synthesis provides strategic and operational leadership for the Bend site, with accountability for safety, quality, regulatory compliance, on-time and in-full delivery, cost performance and innovation. The role ensures reliable execution for customers and the ADS business platform while building the organizational capabilities required for sustained operational excellence. The Site Head aligns resources and production priorities, develops leadership capability and leads production managers, logistics support teams, supervisors and specialists.
The Site Head owns asset performance and the development and execution of the site strategy in alignment with Advanced Synthesis, delivering safe, compliant manufacturing against agreed service and cost objectives. The role leads a cross-functional site leadership team encompassing Safety, Manufacturing, Development Services, MSAT, Engineering, Maintenance and Facilities, Logistics & Infrastructure, and Operational Excellence. Quality, SC&PM, HR and Finance contribute to the leadership team outside the direct reporting line. Through continuous improvement and innovation, the Site Head strengthens productivity and sustains the asset’s long-term profitability.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Bend, OR site and its multidisciplinary organization through a team of senior leaders, managers, and supervisors. Develop leadership capability, strengthen succession pipelines, and maintain accountability for workforce planning, talent development, recruitment, and people-related decisions in accordance with company policies and delegated authority.
- Foster and sustain a high-performing culture built on empowerment, accountability, trust, innovation, and continuous improvement, while ensuring organizational readiness to successfully lead and navigate change.
- Serve as the Operations representative for capital expansion and growth initiatives, providing strategic oversight for investment projects that enhance site capabilities, infrastructure, and long-term operational performance.
- Define operational requirements for capital investments and ensure effective operational readiness, guiding decisions related to asset capability, manufacturing economics, and the successful transition of projects into routine operations.
- Direct production planning and manufacturing execution to ensure safe, compliant, reliable, and cost-effective operations, delivering products that meet quality standards and customer commitments for on-time, in-full performance.
- Champion Operational Excellence and continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging Lean principles, innovation, and best practices to improve productivity, increase reliability, reduce costs, and optimize operational performance.
- Translate Lonza’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives into a clear site strategy, establishing measurable goals and actionable priorities that align with business needs and organizational growth objectives.
- Own the development, management, and execution of the site operating budget, ensuring financial discipline and achievement of agreed business and financial targets.
- Represent the Bend site as Site Head during customer audits, regulatory inspections, and other external engagements, serving as a credible and effective ambassador for the organization.
- Shape and execute the long-term strategic direction of the Bend site, ensuring alignment with the ADS business platform and Lonza’s overall corporate strategy while positioning the site for sustainable growth and operational excellence.
Key Skills
- Extensive Leadership Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience within a cGMP-regulated manufacturing environment, preferably in CDMO, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, chemical, or other highly regulated industries.
- Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in a scientific or engineering discipline such as Pharmaceutical Technology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, or Process Engineering required. An MBA or Executive MBA is strongly preferred.
- Technical & Regulatory Expertise: Deep understanding of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing operations, including GMP compliance, quality systems, data integrity, safety standards, and right-first-time execution. Demonstrated ability to assess and manage technical, operational, and compliance-related risks with sound judgment.
- Large-Scale Organizational Leadership: Proven ability to lead complex, multi-layered site organizations and cross-functional leadership teams through both direct authority and matrix-based influence.
- Business & Financial Acumen: Strong command of operating budgets, manufacturing economics, capacity planning, asset lifecycle management, and capital investment prioritization, with a focus on driving sustainable business performance.
- Enterprise Alignment & Decision-Making: Ability to align site operations, infrastructure, and support functions around a unified operational strategy while effectively balancing competing priorities and respecting governance, functional accountability, and statutory requirements.
- Strategic Leadership & Execution: Demonstrated capability to translate business objectives into actionable plans, measurable outcomes, and timely decisions that support organizational growth and operational excellence.
- People Leadership & Talent Development: Exceptional leadership, coaching, succession planning, and change management skills, supported by strong communication abilities and a collaborative approach to stakeholder engagement.
- Operational Excellence Mindset: Hands-on experience applying Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence principles to increase reliability, productivity, quality, and cost efficiency, while fostering innovation and digital/automation initiatives.
- External Stakeholder Representation: Proven ability to serve as a credible representative of the site with customers, auditors, regulatory agencies, and external partners, collaborating closely with accountable functional leaders to uphold compliance and business objectives.
Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.
People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.
Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
