Associate Director of Operational Excellence

Join Immatics and shape the future of cancer immunotherapy; one patient at a time!  

Immatics is committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients with cancer. We are the global leader in precision targeting of PRAME, a target expressed in more than 50 cancers. Our cutting-edge science and robust clinical pipeline form the broadest PRAME franchise with the most PRAME indications and modalities, spanning TCR T-cell therapies and TCR bispecifics. 

Why Join Us? 

• Innovative Environment: Help pioneer advancements in cancer immunotherapy. 

• Collaborative Culture: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to your professional growth. 

• Global Impact: Contribute to therapies that make a lasting impact on patients globally. 

We are seeking an Associate Director, Operational Excellence to support our Global Quality Operations Team. The Associate Director of Operational Excellence will be responsible for developing, managing, and sustaining the organizational systems, structures, and human capability programs required to embed continuous improvement at Immatics. 

FLSA Classification: Salary, Exempt  
Schedule: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Monday to Friday; On-site  
Reports to: Senior Director Operational Excellence 
Location: 13203 Murphy Road Suite 100 Stafford, TX 77477  

What You’ll Do: 

As an Associate Director of Operational Excellence, you will play a key role in supporting our operations:  

Strategic Improvement Portfolio Management 

• Manage the site portfolio of DMAIC, DFSS, Kaizen, RCA, CAPA, and error-prevention initiatives. 

• Ensure alignment with operational strategy and business transformation objectives. 

Systems & Process Sustainment 

• Serve as site lead for visual management systems, 6S, VSM, Kanban, Standard Work, Gemba, and Kata. 

• Establish governance and sustainment structures to ensure long-term adherence. 

Human Engagement & Capability Building 

• Lead Lean leadership development programs. 

• Oversee site belt certification (Yellow, Green, Black). 

• Create organization projects management system with a clear process to measure ROI 

• Build structured learning curricula for continuous improvement skills. 

Digital & AI-Enabled Transformation 

• Ensure effective use of digital platforms and AI for sustainable transformation. 

• Integrate technology solutions into OpEx systems and performance tower routines. 

• Create a consistent process to measure verifiable AI/Automation/OpEx ROI impact to the bottom line (In collaboration with Finance). 

Change Leadership & Organizational Transformation 

• Support alignment of organizational strategy and operational systems. 

• Lead human-centric change management and influence behavioral adoption. 

Commercial Readiness & Transformation Support 

• Enable scalable, reliable processes to support commercial readiness. 

• Deliver immediate impact while growing long-term organizational capability. 

• This position works closely with the Head of Operational Excellence to ensure organizational goals are met and consistently delivered. 

Required Experience and Education: 

•Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Life Sciences, Business, or related field. 

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt required; Master Black Belt preferred. 

• 8–10 years of Operational Excellence experience in biotech/pharma or from any other industry such as Oil and Gas, Automotive, Aerospace, etc. Or advanced manufacturing. 

• Strong expertise in Lean systems including VSM, Gemba, Kata, Standard Work, and 6S. 

• Demonstrated experience leading training programs and belt certification. 

• Expertise in DMAIC/DFSS, RCA, CAPA, and error-prevention systems. 

• Strong change leadership and cross-functional influence capabilities. 

Preferred Experience and Education:  

• Master Black Belt certification. 

• Microsoft Office Suite expérience 

• Experience with a statistical software platform such as Minitab, SigmaXL, JMP, etc. 

• AI ChatGPT simple to intermediate applications development experience 

• Experience in commercial readiness, tech transfer, or operations scale-up. 

• Understanding of GMP/GCP requirements and regulatory expectations. 

• Experience deploying BPM systems and digital workflow tools. 

• Background in fast-growing biotech or cell therapy operations 

Competencies  

Leadership Character  

• Role model  

• Self-awareness  

• Ability to consciously change flight altitude (high strategic level to hands-on and back gain) 

• Agile 

• Self-control  

• Proactivity and self-directive  

• Courage  

• “Disagree-but-commit” mindset  

Strategic Thinking, Vision & Action  

• Understands strategic internal and external drivers of success  

• Develops overarching vision and strategic plan  

• Takes time-appropriate decisions  

• Leads by providing direction, aligning relevant stakeholders and getting commitment  

• Passionate about business efficiency  

• Executes by empowering  

Ability to Lead Change  

• Passionate about continuous improvement and life-long learning  

• Helps others navigate the change process  

• Encourages team members to learn  

• Successfully manages emotions and diffuses conflict  

• Removes obstacles for teams  

• Creates an environment of psychological safety  

• Leads across boundaries  

Ability to Span Boundaries & Polarities  

• Makes decisions beyond own agenda  

• Acts as effective interface  

• Balance opposite needs of the organization   

• Promotes a sense of “ONE” Immatics  

• Balances innovation and control  

• Consciously adjusts flight altitude  

Leadership Communication & Listening  

• Seeks to understand first  

• Provides honest feedback with humility  

• Results-oriented  

• Takes a visible and active role in sharing information company-wide  

• Able to speak publicly  

• Understands/ anticipates need of receiving party  

• Impactful and concise communication  

Work Environment:  

This position works regularly in a typical office environment with moderate noise levels and regularly uses phone, computer and office supplies. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be occasionally exposed to a lab environment with moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, pathogens, and toxic or caustic chemicals. 

Travel required: Minimal travel required – once or twice per year domestically or internationally.   

Physical demands: 

• Communicating Verbally – expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to others to convey detailed spoken instructions or other workers accurately, loudly or quickly. 

• Hearing – the ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds one-on-one, group or conference, telephone, and other sounds. 

• Keyboarding – entering data or text into a computer or other machine by means of a keyboard. Devices include a traditional keyboard, 10 key-pad, touch screens and others.  

• Lifting - raising or lowering an object (up to 25 lbs) from one level to another (includes upward pulling). Carrying is to transport an object – usually by holding it in the hands or arms but may occur on the shoulder. 

• Near Visual Acuity – clarity of vision at approximately 20 inches or less (working with small objects, reading small print, including the use of computers).  

• Pushing - Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from the object. 

• Pulling - Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves toward the force.  

• Sitting – remaining in a sitting position for at least 50% of the time. 

• Standing/Walking - remain on one's feet in an upright position at a workstation.  

• Stooping – occasional bending the body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist - requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles. 

Work authorization/security clearance requirements:  

Legal eligibility to work in the United States is required. Immatics participates in E-Verify and all new employees will be subject to the Department of Homeland Security requirements for employment   

Affirmative Action/EEO statement:   

Immatics is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs.  

What do we offer?  

At Immatics, we believe in investing in our team’s health, safety and well-being. Here’s what you can expect if you join Immatics 

Comprehensive Benefits:  

• Competitive rates for Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance 

• 4 weeks of Paid Time off, granted up front each year and prorated for first and last year of employment. 

• Sick Time Off – 56 hours  

• 12 Paid Holidays  

• 100% Employer-Paid Life Insurance up to at 1x annual salary. 

• 100% Employer Paid Short- and Long-Term Disability Coverage  

• 401(k) with Immediate Eligibility  & company match… 

• You are eligible for 401(k) plan participation as of your first paycheck. 

• The company will match 100% of your contributions up to 3% of your base salary for the first two years of employment, 4% for years 2-3 of employment, and up to 5% of your salary from the fourth year onward of continued employment. 

• Partially paid Parental Leave for eligible employees. (3 weeks) 

• Additional voluntary employee paid coverages including  Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and Critical Illness Employee Paid Identity Theft Protection and Pet Insurance.  

Professional Growth:  

• Opportunities to work with leading experts in the field of T-cell immunotherapy.  

• Company provided learning and development opportunities 

• Fast paced, high demand collaborative and dynamic environment.