Operational Excellence & Business Analytics Associate Director (Biotechnology)

Location: Boston, MA, United States. Hybrid: remote up to two days per week, or on-site five days per week with ad hoc flexibility.

Base salary: $160,000–$240,000 per year, plus eligibility for annual bonus and annual equity awards.

Company

Vertex is a global biotechnology company investing in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases.

What you will do

• Contribute to CMTO's operational excellence strategy, priorities, success measures, and transformation portfolio.
• Lead manufacturing improvement initiatives focused on lead-time reduction, launch optimization, yield, manufacturing success rate, and COGM reduction.
• Build integrated performance views, standardized KPIs, dashboards, and systems of record across network performance, asset execution, readiness, cost, and delivery.
• Enable scenario analysis, transparent trade-off evaluations, governance decisions, and executive-ready performance narratives.
• Embed continuous improvement through change management, control plans, performance monitoring, Lean methods, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Value Stream Mapping.
• Mentor teams, lead the manufacturing operational excellence community of practice, and deploy AI, automation, and advanced analytics solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Engineering, Data Science, Analytics, or a related field.
• 8–12 years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, regulated manufacturing, supply chain, or MS&T environments.
• At least 5 years leading operational excellence, transformation, business process, performance analytics, or strategic improvement projects.
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, FMEA, Hoshin Kanri, and Change Management in GMP environments.
• Experience leading initiatives for lead-time reduction, launch optimization, yield improvement, and COGM/COGS reduction.
• Experience developing and deploying KPIs, performance dashboards, and standard metrics frameworks across multi-site or multi-partner networks.
• Hands-on proficiency in data analysis, root-cause analysis, scenario modeling, and structured problem-solving.
• Experience identifying and deploying AI, automation, and advanced analytics solutions for operational performance and reporting scalability.
• Knowledge of data architecture concepts, including systems of record, data integrity, KPI definitions, version control, and collaboration with digital or IT functions on data pipelines.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, plus experience with Power BI, Tableau, SAP, Smartsheet, or similar enterprise reporting tools.
• Ability to translate complex performance data into clear business narratives and influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong collaboration, facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder management skills in a matrixed environment across Network Performance, Business Operations, Manufacturing Operations, MS&T, Finance, and Strategic Sourcing.

Nice to have

• Advanced degree such as an MS or MBA.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.

Culture & Benefits

• Continuous learning and encouragement to follow advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous paid time off, and week-long summer and winter company shutdowns.
• Educational assistance programs, including student loan repayment.
• Commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k), and additional total rewards resources.
• Hybrid or on-site flexibility under the Flex @ Vertex program.