Associate Director, Asset Design and Innovation 80-100% (m/f/d)

The actual location of this job is in Visp, Switzerland. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates and their families, if needed.

Based in Visp, Switzerland, this role operates at the interface of Operations, Engineering and Strategic Growth Projects within the Advanced Synthesis network. In close collaboration with Global Engineering, MSAT, Quality and Strategy teams, the Associate Director, Asset Design and Innovation leads the development, evaluation and implementation of state-of-the-art and future-oriented asset and technology solutions with focus on growth-projects. This role is ideal for a self‑driven individual who proactively identifies opportunities to improve asset design, manufacturing performance and technology deployment. The position has a strong focus on enabling highly cost‑effective, compliant and reliable manufacturing by design, with particular emphasis on optimized lifecycle and OpEx performance. Beyond individual projects, the role actively shapes a culture of continuous improvement, knowledge sharing and innovation across the global network and may take key responsibilities in selected global strategic growth initiatives.

What you will get:

• An agile career and a dynamic work culture.
• An inclusive and ethical workplace.
• Compensation programs that recognize high performance.

In addition to a competitive salary, you can expect numerous lifestyle, family, and leisure benefits. Our full list of tailored local benefits can be found below.

• Benefits in Visp: https://bit.ly/3wjkoFi

What you will do:

• Proactively identify, evaluate and drive opportunities to improve asset design and manufacturing technologies, delivering measurable gains in cost, reliability and performance.
• Take full end-to-end ownership for innovation initiatives in growth projects – from idea generation and feasibility assessment through business case development, implementation oversight and benefit realization.
• Independently evaluate, propose and justify solutions that optimize operational expenditure (OpEx) and asset lifecycle costs by design.
• Actively integrate forward-looking, fit-for-purpose solutions into strategic growth projects while ensuring full cGMP compliance and adherence to safety standards.
• Continuously challenge the status quo, share best practices and actively contribute to building a sustainable manufacturing innovation platform across the Advanced Synthesis network.
• Support and constructively challenge by proactively contributing ideas, insights and execution power to strategic transformation initiatives.

What we are looking for:

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Biologics, or a related scientific discipline.
• Senior-level, self-driven leader with a proven track record of identifying opportunities and converting them into sustainable operational and business impact.
• Demonstrated ability to independently set direction, take full ownership and drive complex, cross-functional initiatives to successful completion in a global matrix environment.
• Deep manufacturing, engineering and technology expertise, combined with the confidence to challenge the status quo and influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including the ability to build, defend and execute robust business cases while delivering against demanding performance targets.
• Acts as a role model for accountability, execution excellence and continuous improvement, leading through actions rather than formal authority.
• Innovative mindset with the ability to think beyond traditional boundaries; experience with Lonza systems and processes is a plus.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, enabling alignment and momentum across functions and leadership levels.
• Fluent in English; German proficiency is a plus.

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences?

Apply now.