Core Ops Digital & Automation Lead

Bayer•Myerstown, PA

About The Position

This role serves as a Core Operations liaison for all new innovative technologies advancement special projects in OTC and Nutritionals factories at the Myerstown site. This role works with a multidisciplinary dynamic team and is accountable for E2E (end-to-end) ownership tactically and strategically for Core Operations projects implementations associated with Factory of the Future initiatives. This role is responsible for ensuring inputs from Core Operations teams to all special projects associated with Factory of the Future program to ensure seamless operations and adherence to Core Operations teams' needs. Core Operations Systems specialist is an inspiring evangelist deeply passionate about technology, enterprise-minded with strong networks in innovative technologies in the industry. We envisage Myerstown as a Factory of the Future Division Flagship, and this role will serve as liaison from Core Operations to the special projects / programs execution teams in bringing the digital transformation with the intention to accelerate value creation for the site. This role collaborates closely with the Operational Excellence, Supply Chain, CoE solid dose hub, Engineering, Facilities and SSHE, Manufacturing IT, and Quality functions teams to foster a culture of continuous improvement and value creation. The role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership capabilities, and a focus on driving innovation, cost efficiency, and digitalization. This role must provide strong leadership and coaching and development for high-performing teams with a culture based on the Bayer DSO principles. The role embraces Dynamic Shared Ownership (DSO) principles and practices and follows the VACC approach to leadership (being a visionary, architect, catalyst, and coach). The role actively evolves the site operating model and fosters successful adoption of DSO.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or master's degree with multi-functional experience in Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, or Operation Excellence.
Multifunctional and deep experience of complex manufacturing, packaging, or supply chain management in the consumer and/or pharmaceutical industry.
Thorough knowledge of solid dosage & liquid manufacturing and packaging operations.
Experience in successful organizational transformation and change management initiatives.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a data-driven approach to decision-making
Exceptional leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging effectively with all levels of the organization and external partners to concisely influence executive leadership peers.
Leading with purpose, driving inclusion, respecting differences, and showing up as authentic best self
Demonstrated experience in operations E2E innovation solutions leveraging analytics and digitization with a continuous improvement mindset.
Demonstrate a high level of urgency and adapt to changing priorities.
Ability to resolve conflicts positively using appropriate interpersonal skills and provide constructive feedback to direct reports and peer groups.
Applies VACC (Visionary, Architect, Catalyst, Coach) leadership behaviors and approach.
Demonstrates high self-awareness as well as system awareness and pro-actively asks for and gives feedback.
Demonstrates strategic thinking as well as good business and external trend insights.
Creates impact by realizing authentic self and purpose, and includes others: respects differences, embraces inclusion and shows up as the best self.
Dynamically allocates talents with the right skill set based on business needs and defined outcomes.
Strong understanding of the regulatory arena involving GMP, OSHA, EPA, and Bayer standards

Nice To Haves

8+ years of leadership/production/supervisory experience in FDA, pharmaceutical industry

Responsibilities

Team Leadership: Act as VACC (Visionary, Architect, Coach and Catalyst) to build, coach, and mentor a high-performing team of professionals, promoting a collaborative and innovative work environment. Establish target outcomes, priorities and coordinate talent flow to maximize organizational impact. The incumbent demonstrates, credibly embodies and showcases VACC leadership.
People Development: Build a diverse, inclusive talent pool where members share and support each other to build their expertise; recruit, hire, and onboard new employees, based on team requirements. Foster culture of transparency of priorities and metrics empowering every team and employee to take accountability to operate as high performing teams. Foster a collaborative and positive work environment where employees feel valued and engaged. Identify upskilling training needs and develop or source training programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of the operations cluster teams and maintenance capabilities pools that accentuates continuous improvement principles with digitally enabled mindset.
New Technologies, Digitalization, Cost Improvement, and Special Projects Coordination: Drive a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within manufacturing facilities. Drive the Factory of Future (digitalization) initiatives within Core Operations to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs and increase productivity while maintaining product quality and safety standards. Work closely with Manufacturing IT and Engineering teams, to ensure seamless integration of digital solutions across the Core Operations. Work with Operations Excellence and other Support Functions teams in developing the digital learning platform to drive capability building and upskilling of the Core Operations employees’ digital acumen, data analytics use and data base decisions in E2E operations. Drive real-time data-based decisions in day-to-day operations by utilizing data analytics and AI (Artificial Intelligence) to extract insights for systems performance and enable proactive decision-making. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to streamline operations and integration of new systems and technologies. Serve as an execution lead and focal point to represent the production requirements and needs in Project Management topics for all Factory of the Future related projects including Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Automation and Robotics, equipment upgrades, process changes, and new technologies.
Quality & Compliance: Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, GMP standards, and industry best practices in implementation of special projects across Nutritionals, OTC and Warehouse manufacturing processes and facilities. Oversee the implementation and management of electronic batch records systems in Core Operations. Lead efforts to optimize and maintain electronic batch record processes and ensure the integrity, accuracy, and security of electronic records. Drive continuous improvement mindset and root cause investigations for process and equipment deviations targeting robust corrective actions preventive actions (CAPA) and reduction in write-offs. Participate in regular internal and external audits to maintain compliance and address any discrepancies.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with supply chain, engineering, core operations, operational excellence, quality, controlling, manufacturing IT, CoE Hubs, HR, and other departments to ensure seamless collaboration across all functions. Close collaboration with manufacturing IT, engineering and supply chain functions to understand the customers' demand, production schedules, and optimize the implementation of special projects including Factory of the Future initiatives.