Head of Operational Excellence in Pharma Production (m/f/d)

​Management  |  Permanent  |  Full-time  |  Hybrid​

Our people in Manufacturing & Global Operations share two priorities: getting things done and making things better. If you’re a dynamic person with a positive mindset, you’ll fit in well here. It’s an international team with a powerful spirit of collaboration. Together, we make sure our products meet the highest standards of quality by constantly searching for ways to improve at every stage of our value chain – from the raw materials we buy through to the logistics network that brings our medicines to patients. Join our team and help us make an even bigger contribution to Grünenthal’s future.

This role is your opportunity to shape the future of our Global Operations Business System (GOBS) through driving impactful initiatives, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation, empowering teams across international sites.

If you're someone who thrives on driving transformation, building strong cultures, and empowering others to do their best work, this could be a great fit. We are looking for someone who has held senior operations leadership positions with P&L responsibility as well as demonstrated experience in leading Operational Excellence initiatives. Ideally you have collected this experience in consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, or life sciences. A strong background in global transformation initiatives and an advanced degree in business, life sciences, or engineering will help you navigate the complexity of this role. An advanced Lean Six Sigma certification is essential. We would expect you to also bring expertise in change management, digital transformation, and agile practices.

In this role, you’ll be the strategic owner of our Global Operations Business System. That means you’ll guide how we define and evolve the core elements of GOBS: From People & Culture, to Tools and Methodologies for Operational Excellence, to Digital & Analytics Enablement and Integration Excellence. 

This role calls for someone who can lead with empathy and clarity, foster collaboration, and drive impactful initiatives that improve cost efficiency, quality, and reliability. You’ll be a champion of continuous improvement, helping teams across manufacturing and global functions share best practices and build capabilities through coaching and training.

To support this, you’ll develop meaningful metrics that help us track progress and maturity in operational excellence. We want someone who can inspire curiosity, ownership, and lifelong learning across the organization.

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"This is more than a leadersthip role. It is the chance to leave a lasting impact on how we work, grow, and innovate together." Philipp Schaffrath, the Hiring Manager