Global Head, Operational Excellence & Digitalization

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!

As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. We’re driven by our vision of ‘Food and Companionship Enriching Life’ and our approach to sustainability – the Elanco Healthy Purpose™ – to advance the health of animals, people, the planet and our enterprise.

At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.

Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!

Your Role: Global Head, Operational Excellence & Digitalization

As our Operational Excellence Senior Director, you are an executive leader who is responsible for advancing our operational excellence foundation and sustaining our strategic goals and imperatives for the long-term success of our manufacturing network and enterprise.

Your Responsibilities:

• Reporting directly to the Executive Vice President Manufacturing and Quality, serve as the worldwide champion of the Elanco Operating System, driving best practices, tools and templates in CI and Lean, both in operations/manufacturing and across the organization.
• Direct leadership of global team; indirect leadership of wide team of site and functional based change agents across 18 manufacturing sites and extensive supply network.  Creating a culture of lean transformation, continuous improvement, and operations excellence to increase critical key performance indicators such as on time delivery, lead times, gross margin, and days inventory outstanding.
• Conduct Elanco Operating System and Lean trainings & workshops, providing ongoing support and mentorship to ensure successful implementation and sustainment of the program at all levels of the organization.  Lead and monitor certification of yellow, green, and black belt program for the organization.
• Work cross functionally with manufacturing and commercial organizations to develop a broader productivity agenda over 5-year period to improve product cost and margin.
• Lead the digital transformation initiatives across all operational functions, leveraging emerging technologies such as AI, automation and data analytics.  Champion the adoption of digital tools and platforms to streamline processes, reduce costs and improve decision making capabilities.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

• Education:  Bachelor’s degree; Engineering or Life Sciences most preferred
• Required Experience:  15+ years of proven results in Continuous Improvement and operations leadership roles within a complex manufacturing environment.
• Experienced as a practitioner of Lean tools including but not limited to Six Sigma, DMAIC and other advanced Problem-Solving methods, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Visual and Daily Management, Transactional Process Improvement, Pull Systems, and 80/20.
• Experience in a highly regulated industry.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):

• MBA or Master’s degree in a technical discipline
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
• Pharmaceutical or Animal Health industry background
• Previous experience as a Site Head in a manufacturing environment
• Superior ability to influence without direct oversight.

Additional Information:

• Ability to travel 40-50%, including international travel.
• Global Headquarters in Greenfield, IN (Indianapolis) – Hybrid work environment
• Excellent relocation package available

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!

Elanco Benefits and Perks:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:

• Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to 28 days of PTO)​
• 8-week parental leave​
• 9 Employee Resource Groups​
• Annual bonus offering​
• Flexible work arrangements​
• Up to 6% 401K matching

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