Sr. OPEX Leader

Laboratoire Guerbet•Raleigh, IL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. OPEX Leader operates in full compliance with applicable hygiene, safety, quality, and regulatory standards, and in alignment with the organization’s framework, company’s procedures, and the defined scope of responsibility the role is accountable for. The Senior OPEX Leader drives sustainable operational improvements at the Guerbet Raleigh site through the application of Lean Six Sigma principles and Guerbet’s Transformation Playbook. Partnering across all site functions, this role identifies, prioritizes, and implements high‑impact improvement initiatives aligned with site strategy and business objectives. The Sr. OPEX Leader leads multiple improvement projects by diagnosing current-state performance, designing future-state solutions, and ensuring performance gains are sustained. Working closely with the OPEX Manager, site leadership, and cross‑functional teams, the role delivers measurable improvements across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity while strengthening a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Materials), Business Administration, or a related field
10+ years of experience in operations, continuous improvement, or manufacturing, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership or management role within the pharmaceutical industry
Expert‑level knowledge of Lean principles (5S, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, Kanban) and Six Sigma methodologies (DMAIC)
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or equivalent practical mastery and proven practitioner experience
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook, Visio, and SharePoint, for analysis, communication, and problem resolution
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while conducting shop‑floor audits and GEMBA walks
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as needed
Ability to navigate manufacturing environments, including moving around machinery and production areas
Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree or MBA
ASQ Certified Master Black Belt
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Responsibilities

Partner with the EHS team by participating in and leading Safety GEMBA walks
Integrate safety improvements into Lean Transformation initiatives
Champion a continuous improvement culture using fact‑based management, Lean Six Sigma, and structured problem‑solving methodologies
Strengthen organizational capability to achieve and sustain process quality through project execution at the Guerbet Raleigh site
Coach and mentor project teams in process quality, operational excellence tools, and continuous improvement principles
Facilitate process improvement initiatives and ensure appropriate application of OPEX tools and methods
Collaborate with the OPEX Manager, Supply Chain, Supply Chain, Production, and QC/QA teams to identify and prioritize improvement initiatives aligned with Guerbet’s strategic objectives
Drive continuous improvement across quality, service, and overall productivity performance
Communicate significant performance gaps, risks, and business opportunities to the OPEX Manager
Lead the implementation of Lean Transformation concepts to support site growth and operational scalability
Lead and manage improvement projects delivering measurable and sustainable operational and cost results
Define and execute future‑state implementation plans focused on productivity and cost savings
Identify, prioritize, and execute improvement opportunities related to efficiency, yield, and waste reduction using diagnostic and Lean tools
Lead multiple Operational Excellence initiatives concurrently while ensuring alignment with site strategy
Ensure performance improvements are sustained post‑implementation with clear continuous improvement targets
Apply deep understanding of site operations, value stream principles, and business drivers to guide decision‑making
Demonstrate expert capability in root cause analysis and structured problem solving
Lead the implementation and monitoring of KPIs supporting integrated maintenance and production performance
Support OEE improvement initiatives within filling and packaging productivity action plans
Provide Operational Excellence and Production leadership support during critical site performance issues
Lead site‑level improvement projects, including workplan development, milestone management, resource coordination, and results tracking
Contribute to resource identification and capability alignment for improvement initiatives
Ensure projects are delivered on schedule and achieve targeted business outcomes
Partner with site functions to identify, prioritize, and implement improvement initiatives across the site
Performs other duties as assigned by management.
Coach and develop OPEX team members through classroom instruction and shop‑floor engagement
Educate the broader site population to build foundational understanding of OPEX tools, processes, and continuous improvement principles
Serve as a role model with a hands‑on leadership approach, demonstrating Lean behaviors daily
Partner with Guerbet Change Management SMEs to ensure effective change adoption and to build change leadership capability within OPEX resources
Communicate upcoming initiatives and project status clearly to the site, site leadership, and other Operational Excellence functions within the network, as applicable
Partner with Communications SMEs to support effective dissemination of project‑related information when required
Lead, coach, and support trained resources in resolving conflicts and removing barriers to improvement implementation
Identify key stakeholders and ensure appropriate engagement, alignment, and inclusion in improvement decision‑making processes
Performs other duties as assigned by management.