Manufacturing Strategic Operations Manager

Lonza • Portsmouth, NH

2d • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a high-level technical leader to join our Large-Scale Allogeneic Cell Therapy Manufacturing team in Portsmouth, NH, as a Strategic Operations Manager. This role will act as a key operational anchor for our project, supporting the successful execution of technical transfers and driving operational readiness through effective coordination, governance, and cross-functional alignment. You will play a critical role in ensuring the facility is ready for operations by coordinating activities across Manufacturing, MSAT, Supply Chain, Quality, and Engineering, and ensuring alignment to key operational readiness milestones. This includes enabling structured execution, clear communication, and proactive management of risks and dependencies to support a successful start-up of manufacturing operations.

Requirements

• 5–10+ years of experience in operations, project/program management, or manufacturing within a GMP environment (Cell Therapy or Biologics preferred).
• Proven track record in leading Technical Transfers, engineering runs (water/training runs), and particle runs.
• Proven ability to coordinate complex, cross-functional projects, manage multiple stakeholders, and drive execution in dynamic and fast-paced environments.
• Strong ability to engage, influence, and align diverse stakeholders, facilitate discussions, and drive consensus without direct authority.
• Experience working with integrated schedules, tracking milestones, and managing dependencies, with a strong focus on execution and delivery.
• Experience establishing or working within structured governance frameworks, including RAID management, meeting cadences, and escalation processes.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, structured updates and executive-level presentations.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing operations and/or tech transfer processes, with the ability to interface effectively with technical teams.
• Experience or exposure to Lean, Operational Excellence, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Bachelor’s degree in a Science or Engineering discipline is required.

Responsibilities

• Support the overall coordination of operational readiness activities across all functions (Manufacturing, MSAT, Supply Chain, Quality, QC, Engineering), ensuring alignment to the integrated schedule and achievement of key milestones.
• Engage with cross-functional stakeholders to drive alignment, facilitate discussions, and support decision-making, ensuring risks, dependencies, and impacts are clearly understood and managed.
• Work closely with the Integrated Scheduler to monitor progress against the integrated plan, ensuring timely updates, identifying gaps, and driving actions to maintain adherence to key milestones.
• Support the establishment and execution of an effective governance framework, including regular cross-functional meetings, clear escalation paths, and structured follow-up of actions, decisions, and risks (RAID).
• Develop and maintain standardized reporting tools and slide decks, ensuring accurate and up-to-date visibility of project status, risks, and progress for both operational teams and senior leadership.
• Act as Project Manager or owner for specific cross-functional initiatives, ensuring coordination, prioritization, and delivery of key activities requiring multi-departmental alignment.
• Proactively identify risks and blockers, assess their impact, and ensure timely escalation to leadership while driving mitigation actions with the relevant stakeholders.
• Support the implementation of Operational Excellence initiatives across the site, including Lean practices, tiered meetings, value stream mapping, and continuous improvement frameworks.

Benefits

• Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates and their families, if needed.
• An agile career and dynamic working culture
• An inclusive and ethical workplace
• Strategic Influence: Act as a key voice in project governance forums (JPT, LT), shaping how operational readiness is planned, tracked, and executed across the organization.
• High Impact Role: Play a central role in ensuring the successful start-up of manufacturing operations by driving alignment, coordination, and execution across complex projects.
• Leadership Exposure: Prepare and deliver structured updates to senior leadership, providing clear visibility on progress, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Compensation programs that recognize high performance
• Medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as PTO and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior