Manufacturing Specialist Drug Product Operational Excellence & Lean Six Sigma

Job description

Business Introduction: We manufacture and supply reliable, high-quality medicines and vaccines to meet patients’ needs and drive our performance. Our network of 37 medicines and vaccines manufacturing sites delivered 1.7 billion packs of medicines and 409 million vaccine doses in 2024 to help make a positive impact on the health of millions of people. Our supply chain is not just core to our operations; it’s vital to bringing our innovations to patients as quickly, efficiently and effectively as possible. Technology is transforming how we manufacture medicines and vaccines, enabling us to increase speed and quality. We need the very best minds and capability to help us on our journey to make more complex products, harnessing the power of smart manufacturing technologies including robotics, digital solutions and artificial intelligence to deliver for patients. Position Summary: Are you energized by the opportunity to drive operational excellence, strengthen manufacturing efficiency, and simplify ways of working across production? If so, this Operational Excellence role within the Global GSK Production System could be an ideal opportunity to explore. As Operational Excellence Specialist you will lead deployment of the GSK Production System across Drug Product operations and central functions. You will help build sustainable process improvements by applying Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to optimize safety, quality, productivity, cost effectiveness, and overall business performance. This role has a clear vision: to enable operational excellence from day one in the new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility by embedding GPS, Lean Six Sigma, visual management, data-driven routines, and digital ways of working into daily operations from the start. You will lead and support Operational Excellence and Lean Six Sigma initiatives in drug product manufacturing. You will coach teams, run improvement projects, and embed simple, consistent standards. You will work closely with manufacturing, quality, engineering, and site leadership. We value practical problem solvers who collaborate, teach, and deliver measurable results. Join us to grow your skills, make a lasting impact on how we deliver quality medicines, and help unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. Responsibilities: Implement manufacturing and non-manufacturing processes in the new drug product facility using Lean and Six Sigma tools, including 5S, Value Stream Mapping, SMED, TPM, DMAIC problem solving, and Kaizen. Serve as the GSK Production System representative for the assigned area, supporting deployment of GPS fundamentals and simple, common standards. Lead hands-on GPS implementation work directly with operators and operations managers to embed standard work, visual management, problem solving, and continuous improvement practices into new manufacturing facility. Maintain a portfolio of GPS and Lean Six Sigma tasks; manage and track deliverables in Microsoft Project; and demonstrate progress, escalations, risks, and key decisions through a clear dashboard. Develop and deploy smart dashboards and visual management systems (power apps / power BI) for Drug Product operations and workflows, enabling timely decision-making, improved visibility, and proactive correction of performance gaps. Bring forward and deploy digital, AI, and Industry 4.0 capabilities as part of operational excellence deployment, enabling smarter workflows, enhanced performance visibility, and more proactive improvement across Drug Product operations. Support problem-solving and change-management events to identify practical solutions and ensure timely closure of actions linked to site goals. Partner with Site GPS Practitioners to deliver GPS teach points and create key GPS components, including standard work instructions and performance management boards. Use data analysis to diagnose root causes, recommend improvements, and sustain business practices that optimize safety, quality, and efficiency. Assess performance and help develop programs that improve operational efficiency, process performance, and cost savings across the organization. Benchmark internal and external best practices to support high-performance standards and guide strategic decision-making. Drive continuous improvement across the value chain, including collaboration with suppliers and customers to deliver comprehensive operational enhancements. Perform duties in a compliant manner, adhering to site Standard Operating Procedures, EHS standards, Quality Management System requirements, GMP expectations, and applicable global quality documents. Basic Qualifications: 3 + years of demonstrated experience deploying standard work, visual management, tiered performance management, problem solving, 5S, Kaizen, DMAIC, value stream mapping, SMED, TPM, or related Lean tools with a proven record of accomplishments. Bachelor's degree or associate degree in engineering, science, manufacturing, business, supply chain, or a related field. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Master Black Belt, or Lean Master certification or progression with hands-on experience leading improvement projects. Experienced in manufacturing operations, process improvement, or related role in a regulated environment. Preferred Qualifications: Experience in pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, GMP, regulated manufacturing, or Drug Product operations. Experience managing a portfolio of initiatives, action plans, risks, and escalations. Experience using Microsoft Project or similar project-management tools to track deliverables, milestones, and dependencies. Experience developing dashboards or visual management tools using Power BI, Power Apps, Excel, SharePoint, or similar digital platforms. Exposure to digital transformation, AI, automation, Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, or advanced analytics in operations. Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to coach teams and drive adoption of new ways of working. Demonstrated ability to work in cross-functional environments with operations, quality, engineering, EHS, supply chain, and leadership teams. What we value from you: We look for people who are curious, pragmatic, and focused on outcomes. You should enjoy working with others to simplify processes and make work safer and more reliable. You will be respected for clear, direct communication and a commitment to continuous learning. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage people who value inclusion to apply. Work Arrangements: This role is onsite and you will be expected to be onsite. This position does not offer any hybrid or remote options. How to apply: If you are ready to lead improvements that matter and grow your career, we would like to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a short note about a project you led that delivered measurable impact. We will review your application and contact you about next steps. #LI-GSK #GSKCareers Skills Analytical Thinking, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Biopharmaceutical Industry, Data-Driven Decision Making, Data Integrity, Digital Fluency, GxP Regulations, Influencing Without Authority, Lean Management, Problem Solving, Process Improvements, Project Management, Risk Awareness, Workshop Facilitation Please visit GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees. Why GSK? Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HI