Operational Excellence Program Manager

Posted Yesterday
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McPherson, KS, USA
Hybrid
99K-165K Annually
Mid level
Artificial Intelligence • Healthtech • Machine Learning • Natural Language Processing • Biotech • Pharmaceutical
We’re in relentless pursuit of breakthroughs that change patients’ lives.
The Role
Manage Pfizer’s Operational Excellence program by leading Lean and Six Sigma continuous improvement initiatives, deploying IMEx standards, coaching improvement teams, assessing operational maturity, and establishing performance metrics. The role coordinates cross-functional projects, drives change management, develops internal OpEx capabilities, mentors practitioners, and links improvement initiatives to measurable business outcomes.
Summary Generated by Built In
What You Will Achieve
At Pfizer, our mission is to inspire a best-in-class culture of continuous improvement and project management that empowers colleagues and enables simple, effective processes. Whether you are managing projects or liaising with others, your contribution in this team will help in making our work easier and faster so that we can deliver breakthroughs that change patients' lives.
As a member of Pfizer's Operational Excellence (OpEx) program team, you will define, design and implement problem-solving and continuous improvement programs to ensure vertical and horizontal integration across the organization. Your work will analyze improvement opportunities; own the Integrated Manufacturing Excellence (IMEx) program; build Lean and Six Sigma capabilities at site; facilitate and coach improvement teams; establish and maintain performance metrics to measure program success.
Your breadth of knowledge on internal and external business challenges will help us improve our products, processes and services. Your operational excellence experience will guide us to execute projects and meet objectives. Your ability to take appropriate risks will help us advance new concepts and methodologies. You will provide technical guidance and oversight to team members and advance problem solving.
How You Will Achieve It
  • Organize and manage projects/ongoing work activities of moderate complexity within T3 CI loop(s) typically involving cross-functional representatives.
  • Provide day-to-day coaching on continuous improvement projects via Lean and Six Sigma projects, with a focus on production and business process improvement.
  • Lead deployment and sustainment of IMEx principles and management system standards (visual management, standard work, TPM) across functions.
  • Assess OpEx maturity and drive continuous improvement of management systems to enable predictable, high-performing operations.
  • Ensure standardization and consistency of OpEx practices across value streams and functions.
  • Lead change management for major initiatives, including stakeholder alignment, communication strategies, and adoption tracking.
  • Partner with Lean Six Sigma Program Lead to Coach leaders (frontline to senior level) on Lean, Six Sigma, problem solving, and performance management practices.
  • Develop internal OpEx capability by mentoring practitioners and strengthening organizational problem-solving effectiveness.

Here Is What You Need (Basic Qualifications)
  • Applicant must have a bachelor's degree with at least 4 years of experience; OR a master's degree with at least 2 years of experience; OR a PhD with 0+ years of experience; OR an associate's degree with 8 years of experience; OR a high school diploma (or equivalent) and 10 years of relevant experience.

Bonus Points If You Have (Preferred Requirements)
  • Proven track record of leading enterprise- or site-level Operational Excellence programs with measurable business impact.
  • Advanced expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and IMEx (or equivalent operating systems).
  • Strong experience in program governance, portfolio management, and benefits realization.
  • Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and drive change without direct authority.
  • Strong financial acumen, including experience linking CI initiatives to cost improvement, productivity, and business outcomes.
  • Proven leadership and change management abilities.
  • Ability to effectively coach and mentor colleagues.
  • Strong oral and written communication, as well as stakeholder management skills
  • Relevant pharmaceutical experience.
  • Experience leading large projects.
  • Effective team building skills and negotiation skills.
  • Project management and continuous improvement certifications (e.g. Agile, PMP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or, or Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, or equivalent program/project leadership credential).

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Individual will be required to perform the task of walking through and understanding processes and understanding the areas in which incidents may of occurred which may require periods of standing.
  • Individual will be required to organize and prioritize in a dynamic operation
  • Individual will be required to perform complex data analysis

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
  • Position may require non-standard work schedule to conduct interviews with individuals involved in the investigation and/or to complete investigations per required timeline.
  • Onsite or hybrid
  • Limited travel

Work Location Assignment: Hybrid
Last Date To Apply: October 6, 2026
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $99,200.00 to $165,400.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer's Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 12.5% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life's moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site - U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.
Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.
Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.
U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.
Sunshine Act
Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider's name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.
EEO & Employment Eligibility
Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.
Pfizer endeavors to make www.pfizer.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process and/or interviewing, please email [email protected] . This is to be used solely for accommodation requests with respect to the accessibility of our website, online application process and/or interviewing. Requests for any other reason will not be returned.
To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers .
Continuous Imprv and Proj Mgmt
#BI-Hybrid

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree and at least 4 years of experience
  • Master's degree and at least 2 years of experience
  • PhD and 0 or more years of experience
  • Associate's degree and 8 years of experience
  • High school diploma or equivalent and 10 years of relevant experience
  • Experience leading enterprise- or site-level Operational Excellence programs with measurable business impact
  • Advanced expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and IMEx or equivalent operating systems
  • Experience in program governance, portfolio management, and benefits realization
  • Ability to influence senior leaders and drive change without direct authority
  • Financial acumen linking continuous improvement initiatives to cost improvement, productivity, and business outcomes
  • Leadership and change management abilities
  • Ability to coach and mentor colleagues
  • Strong oral and written communication and stakeholder management skills
  • Relevant pharmaceutical experience
  • Experience leading large projects
  • Team building and negotiation skills
  • Project management or continuous improvement certification, such as Agile, PMP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, or Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt
  • Permanent authorization to work in the United States without visa sponsorship

What the Team is Saying

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Pfizer Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive across medical, dental, vision, and mental‑health support, with strong plan options and provider networks. Feedback suggests these programs are a clear standout within the total rewards package.
  • Retirement Support — Retirement programs feature a 401(k) with company matching plus an additional company retirement contribution. Feedback suggests these elements are consistently highlighted as valuable components of overall compensation.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time are often characterized as generous, with some locations offering the ability to purchase additional vacation days. Feedback suggests this breadth contributes meaningfully to work‑life balance.

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The Company
HQ: New York, NY
121,990 Employees
Year Founded: 1848

What We Do

Our purpose ensures that patients remain at the center of all we do. We live our purpose by sourcing the best science in the world; partnering with others in the healthcare system to improve access to our medicines; using digital technologies to enhance our drug discovery and development, as well as patient outcomes; and leading the conversation to advocate for pro-innovation/pro-patient policies.

Why Work With Us

We are the inventors, the problem solvers, the big thinkers — those who surmount any hurdle to deliver breakthrough medicines to the people who are counting on them the most.

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