Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.
We are looking for Global Head of Network Strategy to join our team.
Role Purpose:
The Global Head Network Strategy is responsible for defining and steering Lonza's long-term global manufacturing and supply network strategy across all business platforms and sites.
The role ensures that network footprint, capacity deployment, technology investments, customer demand requirements, and operational capabilities are aligned with Lonza's enterprise growth strategy.
As a member of the Global Operations Leadership Team, the role develops integrated network strategies that optimize capacity utilization, business resilience, customer service, investment prioritization, and overall enterprise value creation.
Key Responsibilities:
Network Strategy Development
Define and continuously evolve Lonza's global manufacturing network strategy across all platforms and business units.
Further develop long-term network scenarios supporting business growth, geographic expansion, and portfolio evolution.
Ensure network strategies are aligned with corporate objectives, customer needs, and market dynamics.
In close collaboration with the Business Platforms translate strategic business priorities into actionable network investment and footprint plans.
Capacity & Footprint Planning
Lead Lonza-wide capacity and footprint planning activities.
Identify future capacity requirements and develop integrated expansion roadmaps.
Drive decisions regarding site specialization, platform deployment, and network optimization.
Assess optimal utilization of manufacturing assets across the global network.
Strategic Investment Planning
Partner with Finance, Business Platforms Operations, Global Engineering, and to prioritize strategic capital investments.
Review platform business cases supporting major site expansions, new facilities, and network transformation initiatives in the context of the Lonza Network strategy.
Evaluate investment alternatives through robust scenario analysis and risk assessment.
Supply Chain & Operations Integration
Collaborate closely with Global Supply Chain, Business Units, Commercial, and Operations teams to ensure integrated planning.
Align network decisions with customer demand, product lifecycle management, and supply strategies.
Support make-versus-buy evaluations, technology transfers, and site allocation decisions.
Enable successful execution of strategic network transformation programs.
Business Continuity & Risk Management
Lead network risk assessments and resilience planning activities.
Develop strategies to mitigate capacity, geographic, regulatory, and supply risks.
Ensure appropriate redundancy and business continuity capabilities across the network.
Support crisis response and recovery planning from a network perspective.
Mergers, Acquisitions & Strategic Partnerships
Support network due diligence activities related to M&A opportunities.
Evaluate strategic partnerships, manufacturing collaborations, and outsourcing opportunities in the context of the Lonza Network Strategy.
Assess network integration opportunities following acquisitions.
Develop integration roadmaps maximizing value realization.
Governance & Executive Engagement
Establish governance processes supporting enterprise network decision-making.
Prepare strategic recommendations for the Executive Committee and Board-level discussions.
Present network performance, growth scenarios, and investment recommendations to senior leadership.
Serve as the recognized enterprise expert for manufacturing network strategy.
Leadership & Organizational Development
Mid-term - build and lead a high-performing Network Strategy Mid-term.
Develop strategic planning capabilities across the global operations community.
Foster a culture of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
Act as a role model for collaboration, innovation, and enterprise thinking.
Network Optimization & Performance
Establish analytical frameworks to assess network performance, efficiency, resilience, and competitiveness.
Identify opportunities to improve asset productivity, manufacturing flexibility, and cost competitiveness.
Drive initiatives that enhance customer responsiveness and operational excellence.
Monitor key performance indicators related to network effectiveness and strategic objectives.
Key Stakeholders:
Global Head Group Operations Management.
Business Platforms Operations Heads.
Executive Committee.
Global Supply Chain Leadership.
Global Engineering.
Site Heads.
Commercial Leadership.
Finance Leadership.
Strategy & Corporate Development.
Program Management.
Quality & Regulatory Leadership.
Required Skills & Competencies:
Enterprise thinking.
Executive stakeholder management.
Operations/Manufacturing.
Business Strategy Development.
Portfolio and investment management.
Strong financial and commercial understanding.
Capital allocation expertise.
Influencing (Matrix Leadership).
Network modelling.
Data-driven decision making.
Qualification & Experience :
Master degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Business, Operations, or related discipline.
Several years’ of experience in Business strategy, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering.
Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.
People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.
Skills Required
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Business, Operations, or a related discipline
- Several years of experience in business strategy, manufacturing, supply chain, or engineering
- Enterprise thinking and executive stakeholder management
- Operations or manufacturing expertise
- Business strategy development experience
- Portfolio and investment management experience
- Strong financial and commercial understanding
- Capital allocation expertise
- Influencing and matrix leadership skills
- Network modelling experience
- Data-driven decision-making skills
What We Do
At Lonza, we enable A Healthier World by supporting our healthcare customers on the path to commercialization. Our community of 16,000 talented employees work across a global network of more than 30 sites to deliver for our customers across the pharma, biotech and nutrition markets.
