(Archived) Senior Director, Operations

As a leading global animal health company, Elanco delivers innovative products and services to improve the health of pets and farm animals around the world because we believe making animals' lives better, makes life better. Since 1954, we have provided solutions that support veterinarians, farmers and pet owners to advance our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life. Elanco's promise to employees: Together, we foster an inclusive culture where everyone can make a difference, encouraging ownership, growth and well-being.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Fort Dodge Site Head, the Senior Director of Operations is responsible for vaccine manufacturing operations at our Fort Dodge, Iowa site. The Senior Director is accountable for all operations across multiple technologies (viral bioreactor and bacterial fermentation technologies, downstream concentration/purification, lyophilization, aseptic vial filling, and packaging). This is a critical role on the Site Leadership Team, who collectively set and drive the mission for the Site.

Operational Duties

• Provides operational leadership to meet or exceed defined targets and requirements related to cost, quality, supply, process and compliance in the production of vaccines.
• Provides a focus on the health and safety aspects of manufacturing to create an injury-free workplace.
• Drives a culture of relentless productivity improvement through lean ways of working.
• Ensures equipment and personnel are capable and qualified to safely and efficiently manufacture site products in a way that meets regulatory and compliance standards, specifications and manufacturing standards.
• Delivers reliable customer supply of products by ensuring appropriate production cycle times, right-the-first-time operations, optimizing operational up-time and reduction of losses.
• Oversees cross-functional flow teams to achieve business results by following the manufacturing standards of excellence.

Strategic Duties

• Participates in the implementation of the Fort Dodge manufacturing strategy to improve effectiveness and efficiency of the production goals.
• Creates an environment where people are our largest asset. Leads succession management, talent identification and mentoring/coaching of others in the organization. Drive intentional selection of high caliber candidates.
• Direct, develop, coach and support a director-level management team with overall responsibility for 150+ employees.
• Prepare resource plans and operational expense budgets based on production forecasts. Focus on planning agility to encompass changes in product portfolio and platform technologies.
• Assist in the development of capital plans and preparation of design specifications for equipment and facilities to manufacture vaccines for sale in all markets.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or engineering
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in FDA, EMA (EU GMP), USDA regulated, Animal Health, Pharmaceutical or Biotech manufacturing environment including a minimum of 5 years of direct operational leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage teams of experienced professionals.

Additional Preferences

• Biotechnology and/or vaccine production experience including aseptic operations and sterile fill operations.
• Experience leading operations at a USDA regulated facility.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with facility employees and corporate personnel.
• Ability to communicate, influence and coach employees at various levels in the organization.
• Ability to develop and implement a manufacturing strategy to achieve business results.
• Demonstrated ability to implement and champion Lean production tools and methodologies.

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status