Senior Manager Operational Excellence

WHY PATIENTS NEED YOU

Operational Excellence is the backbone of every successful organization. At Pfizer, the mission of our team is to inspire a best-in-class culture of continuous improvement that empowers colleagues and enables processes to function efficiently and effectively. Whether you are managing projects or liaising with others, your contribution in this team will help in making our work easier and faster and providing the best patient care. 
 

WHAT YOU WILL ACHIEVE

The Kalamazoo Senior Manager of Operational Excellence role is part of our Operational Excellence & Business Operations and Strategy Execution team reporting to the Director of Op Ex & Business Operations and Strategy Execution.  You will ensure efficient and effective Operational Excellence programs to enable achievement of the site goals.  The incumbent has direct responsibility for the Site IMEx Program, site OPEx programs (lean, six sigma, PHP, Innovation),  and the site CIP plan.
In your role at Pfizer, your work defines, designs and implements continuous improvement programs to ensure the programs are integrated vertically and horizontally across organization.  Your role will define improvement projects aligned with business strategies.  You will analyze improvement programs and potential results; facilitate and coach improvement teams; establish and maintain performance metrics to measure program success; and install process excellence supports for program governance, project reviews, communications, certifications and rewards. 

HOW YOU WILL ACHIEVE IT

• • Lead a team of professionals accountable for defining and leading the Continuous Improvement Program within Pfizer. 
  • Responsible for advancing the functional use of Operational Excellence Tools across the site.(5S, Six Sigma, etc.) and actioning/implementing improvements in the Op Ex Maturity Diagnostic.
  • Deliver innovation solutions to sustainably drive continuous improvement at the Kalamazoo Site
  • Accountable for IMEx program sustainability while ensuring the site achieves the performance improvements needed to enable quality, on time supply to our patients
  • Facilitates development, refresh and cascade of site Goals with Site Leadership team
  • Leads Site T3 Continuous Improvement loop
  • Sponsor and lead site based projects either within function or across functions in line with the site and/or network strategy
  • Responsible for the performance management of direct and indirect reports
  • Share best practices and look for opportunities to replicate from other sites.  
  • Leverage your extensive knowledge of developing continuous improvement models, prioritizing initiatives, delivering large scale projects and building a sustainable Continuous Improvement Culture. 
  • Challenge’s self and others to Identify and suggest ways to improve bottlenecks, process inefficiencies and service deficiencies. 
  • Establish and maintain performance metrics to measure program success.  
  • Install process excellence support for program governance, project reviews, communications, training, certifications and rewards.  

QUALIFICATIONS

Must-Have

Candidate demonstrates a breadth of diverse leadership experiences and capabilities including: the ability to influence and collaborate with peers, develop and coach others, oversee and guide the work of other colleagues to achieve meaningful outcomes and create business impact.

• • Bachelor’s degree with at least 6+ years of experience; OR a Master’s degree with more than 5+ years of experience; OR a Ph.D. with 1+ years of experience. 
  • Knowledge/experience in Continuous Improvement (CI) programs. 
  • Demonstrated experience leveraging AI and/or digital tools to identify opportunities, improve processes, drive efficiencies, and support continuous improvement.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and cross-functional processes and to meet established deadlines. 
  • Excellent communication, coaching, organizational and interpersonal skills. 
  • Ability to plan, implement and achieve complex goals and objectives in a matrix environment. 
  • Strong people management skills. 
  • Strong leadership skills necessary to engage, influence and motivate colleagues at all levels and across cultures in a global organization. 

 

Nice-to-Have

• • Relevant pharmaceutical experience;
  • Expertise in statistical analysis and problem-solving techniques.   
  • Project management and continuous improvement certifications (e.g., Agile, PMP, Black Belt Six Sigma, or similar). 
  • Relevant business, IT Professional, consulting, or pharmaceutical background. Experience leading collaborations within and across divisions, working with other scientific and technical leaders to drive projects and implement business initiatives. 

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

Kalamazoo is a 3 shift operation. Role needs to support occasional off shift meetings and workshops

  
Other Job Details:
Work Location Assignment: On Premise

Relocation Assistance: NO

Last date to apply: 10/31/2026

 

 

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $139,100.00 to $231,900.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 17.5% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

 

 

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.

U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers.

 

 

Manufacturing