Associate Director - Process Engineering

At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work, but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.

About the Katwijk Site

Eli Lilly is investing €2.6 billion in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Katwijk, Netherlands. This facility will produce oral medicines for cardiometabolic health, neuroscience, oncology, and immunology, incorporating next-generation manufacturing technologies including dock-to-dock automation, paperless manufacturing, and process analytical technology while achieving carbon neutrality and zero waste to landfills.

Position Overview

The Associate Director-Process Engineering is responsible for leading the Process Engineering group establishing and sustaining systems to ensure reliable operations and the qualified state of process equipment on site.  Ensures that process equipment is in control, compliant and capable of meeting plant production requirements while also driving continuous improvement efforts.  Additionally, will lead the process engineering organization and influence other functional disciplines to support the process engineering technical agenda, and site business plan objectives.

This position starts with a 12-month contract, with the intention of offering a permanent contract based on mutual fit. (Dienstverband: tijdelijk met uitzicht op vast)

Key Responsibilities

Process Equipment & Technical Oversight

Provide oversight of process equipment across all manufacturing steps, ensuring clear understanding of equipment flow, process flow, and critical process requirements

Establish control systems to monitor, trend, and verify process equipment performance

Ensure asset qualification review is performed across all process steps according to defined strategy

Lead and support troubleshooting efforts using formal problem-solving techniques (Root Cause Analysis, FMEA), in alignment with TS/MS, QA, Maintenance, and Automation teams

Ensure engineering standards are applied consistently across all process teams

Process Improvement & Innovation

Identify and lead improvement opportunities associated with equipment and processes across site

Evaluate new equipment technologies, raw materials, and facilities; create strategies for new validation and technical approaches

Proactively propose and implement practices to prevent recurrence of complex issues

Generate, evaluate, execute, and approve change controls

Coordinate new technology introductions, trials, and startups

Stay current with industry technical standards and share best practices across the network

Qualification & Validation

Lead design and implementation of new or modified equipment, utilities, and facilities to ensure compliance with qualification requirements and applicable regulations

Manage qualification and validation activities in collaboration with internal and external resources, including all associated documentation

Project & Financial Management

Ensure projects are delivered on schedule

Maintain financial oversight of Process Engineering group

Manage budget for assigned projects and business plan activities

Develop, maintain, and approve professional services accounts and contracts

EHS Support

Support the site EHS agenda including Dust Explosion, Industrial Ergonomics, and Containment programmes

Participate in Self Audits and other EHS-related activities as required

Cross-Functional & Site Leadership

Participate as a core member of the Site leadership team

Collaborate with the Engineering Tech Center to share lessons learned and drive continuous improvement

Lead complex technical discussions across sites

Respond to and deliver on customer requests related to process equipment

People Leadership & Development

Build and develop a high-performing Process Engineering organisation aligned with Lilly Values

Lead the performance management process, including development plans and career path support

Ensure people in responsible positions are qualified and training compliance is maintained

Hold team accountable to goals and objectives

Manage resources effectively to deliver site and team commitments

Understand and ensure periodic assessment of the function’s compliance with MSOE standards

Educational Requirements

BS in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical or related).

Experience Requirements

At least 6 (six) years in pharmaceutical industry engineering or equivalent relevant experience.

At least 3 (three) years experience in Drug Product Solid Operations including experience in facilities/equipment design, construction and start up and/or spray drying dispersion.

Strong experience within Oral Solid Dose (OSD) pharmaceutical manufacturing is preferred. Candidates with relevant Spray Drying experience and strong learning agility may also be considered.

Experience supporting the design, qualification, start-up and validation of pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment and processes, ideally within Oral Solid Dose (OSD) and/or Spray Drying environment is preferred.

Previous experience leading and managing Process Engineers within a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment is required.

Demonstrated experience supporting the start-up and implementation of manufacturing projects and equipment. Greenfield site experience is not required.

Strong experience working within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment is required.

Technical experience supporting process and technology transfers and/or the introduction of new processes and technologies within pharmaceutical operations.

Experience managing projects across multiple functional areas, including cross-functional integration and coordination

Other Requirements:

Professional fluency in English, Dutch is preferred

Able to work during extended periods, work under pressure, and good judgment under special circumstances.

Able to travel (within and outside country)

Self-starter, teamwork oriented.

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form ( https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation ) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly 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.

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location.  The anticipated wage for this position is

$ - $

Full-time equivalent employees may also be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a pension plan; vacation benefits; eligibility for healthcare benefits; flexible benefits (if applicable) life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities). Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

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