R-90118 Senior Director - API Operations (NOT REMOTE - NEW SITE)

Lilly • Indianapolis, IN

97d • $151,500 - $222,200

About The Position

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world. Lilly is currently constructing an advanced manufacturing facility for the production of API molecules. This facility is intended to provide APIs for current and future products, including new modalities. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the leadership team for the startup of a greenfield manufacturing site, and the successful candidate will help to build the organization, the facility and the culture to enable a successful startup into GMP manufacturing operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline
• 10+ years of experience leading operations within the pharmaceutical industry

Nice To Haves

• Experience in API manufacturing and Process Safety Management preferred.
• Strong knowledge of cGMPs and their application in manufacturing operations.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships across all organizational levels, including close collaboration with the Site Leadership Team.
• Demonstrated success in leading projects from initiation to completion—on time, within budget, and to high performance standards.
• Skilled in developing and managing high-performing, engaged teams with a strong safety and team-oriented culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead collaboratively and energetically across all aspects of operational readiness and startup.
• Build an organization with the capability, capacity, and culture to achieve high standards in safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Develop and implement site systems and processes, drawing on internal expertise and external best practices.
• Embed lean principles and a continuous improvement mindset across operations and support functions.
• Act as the end-user representative during project delivery—providing input on design, commissioning, and startup decisions to ensure alignment with project goals and long-term strategy.
• Develop and execute strategic and operational plans for Production Operations.
• Contribute to the site’s medium- and long-term strategic direction.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., safety, quality/cGMP, environmental, financial, legal, HR).
• Ensure Production Flow and Process Teams meet Lilly’s Manufacturing Standards for Operational Excellence.
• Maintain robust control systems to manage operations, identify compliance risks, and escalate issues appropriately.
• Monitor site and business area performance and take corrective action as needed.
• Lead cross-functional teams to implement new product introductions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop future management and technical leaders for site and global roles.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• pension
• vacation benefits
• medical benefits
• dental benefits
• vision benefits
• prescription drug benefits
• flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts)
• life insurance and death benefits
• certain time off and leave of absence benefits
• well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees