Associate Director, Operational Excellence

At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. Our purpose-driven culture inspires us to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines to prevail over serious diseases. We offer uniquely interesting and meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment that values inclusion, wellbeing, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. This is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it.
Position Summary
The Associate Director, Operational Excellence leads the development and implementation of continuous improvement (CI) and operational excellence (OE) strategies, programs, and practices for the Bothell Cell Therapy manufacturing site. Reporting to the Director, Strategy & Business Operations, this role manages the operational excellence team and provides expert guidance to site leadership on deploying continuous improvement principles and tools in a GMP-regulated, patient focused environment. This role drives a continuous improvement culture through implementation of OE practices and behaviors in a harmonized manner across site and network functions that aligns with the broader BMS operational excellence framework. In partnership with leaders across the site, this role leverages the OE skillset to implement improvements in right-first-time performance, turnaround time, capacity, and cost, ensuring these efforts tie directly to strategic site objectives and deliver sustained value for the site.
Key Responsibilities
In partnership with the Director, Strategy & Business Operations and site leadership, develop and execute the site operational excellence strategy and roadmap aligned with site annual and long term goals
Embed OE capability and a performance management culture at the site by deploying and sustaining the site operating system (visual management, lean leadership, etc.) in alignment with the broader BMS OE framework
Align site KPIs and tier management dashboards with network and site strategy and objectives
Manage the OE team’s book of work including contribution to strategic initiatives, intake of ad hoc requests, prioritization across competing efforts, benefits tracking, and reporting to leadership
Lead and coach the OE team, setting goals, allocating resources, driving delivery, and developing skills
Use data analysis to enable site identification, selection and implementation of OE initiatives
Partner with site leaders to deliver measurable improvements in key site metrics tied to strategic objectives
Advise senior leaders as the site's CI expert, guiding them in understanding and deploying CI principles
Facilitate high-impact, complex improvement workshops, kaizens, and Lean Six Sigma/DMAIC projects
Strengthen continuous improvement competencies across the organization through training,workshops, facilitation, role modeling, coaching, and constructive feedback
Represent and advocate for the site in network and global operational excellence forums
Qualifications & Experience
Required
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Operations, Business, or equivalent discipline
10+ years of experience in operations, manufacturing, continuous improvement, or related functions
5+ years hands on experience applying operational excellence principles
3+ years of experience leading people or teams through direct or project/matrix leadership
Demonstrated proficiency in, and passion for, OE methodology, tools and manufacturing process improvement (e.g. lean leadership, visual management, kaizen, DMAIC, structured problem solving)
Demonstrated success leading continuous improvement initiatives to achieve strategic results
Strong data driven analysis and decision making skills
Working knowledge of GMP or similar quality-regulated environments
Demonstrated application of project management and change management principles in achieving results
Strong relationship builder with the ability to drive alignment across a range of levels and functions
Exceptional skills in coaching, facilitation, and analytical problem solving
Advanced written/verbal communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
Proficient in MS Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook
Preferred
Experience in a regulated high tech/manufacturing industry
Understanding of cGMP regulations and FDA guidance applicable to biopharma or medical devices
Experience in cell therapy, gene therapy, biologics, or other personalized or small-batch manufacturing
Strong business acumen with ability to strategically connect continuous improvement to business value
Experience with data mining and data analytics for KPI reporting
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Shingo or equivalent certifications
Experience building or sustaining a site operating system or daily management system
Familiarity with deviation, CAPA, and change control processes
Training or certification in change management or project management
We hire for skills and capabilities, not just credentials – if this role excites you, but doesn’t perfectly match your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway.
Compensation Overview:
Bothell - WA - US: $184,270 - $223,294

The starting pay range(s) listed above is for full-time employees (FTE). You may also be eligible for additional discretionary incentive cash and stock opportunities. We determine starting pay thoughtfully – carefully considering the nature of the role, required skills, work location, schedule and the knowledge and experience you bring. Final compensation is guided by pay equity principles and applicable employment laws. Compensation programs are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be adjusted over time to reflect evolving market factors, and individual, team or Company performance.
Benefits:
Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect, you may be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefit plans – including wellbeing support, retirement and financial protection benefits, and insurance offerings (medical, dental, vision, life and disability).
U.S.-based exempt employees are eligible for Flexible Time Off (FTO), which provides paid time off without a set accrual limit, subject to manager approval, along with 11 paid company holidays each year.
Non-exempt employees, RayzeBio employees, and employees located in Puerto Rico receive 160 hours of paid vacation annually for new hires (subject to manager approval), 11 paid company holidays, and 3 optional holidays.
Depending on eligibility, employees may also have access to additional time-off benefits, including paid sick leave, up to two paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, and leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, or military needs. Eligible employees also enjoy an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
U.S.-based job seekers can explore full benefit offerings at https://careers.bms.com/benefits
How We Work
Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings. Our roles are structured across four work models: site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities. Learn