Operational Excellence & Business Analytics Associate Director
Job Description
Company Overview
Vertex is a global biotechnology company focused on investing in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. Across our organization, we work with urgency, rigor, and collaboration to deliver therapies that improve patient outcomes and create long-term value.
General Summary
The Operational Excellence & Business Analytics team serves as the process improvement and performance enablement backbone of CMTO, providing the integrated performance visibility, standardized metrics, and improvement discipline required to run, grow, and optimize Vertex's external commercial manufacturing network.
The Associate Director, Operational Excellence & Business Analytics is an end-to-end role that combines capabilities into a single accountability: the ability to (1) translate enterprise- and asset-level performance data into a coherent, decision-ready view of the network and its individual components, and (2) prioritize and drive the improvement initiatives those insights demand, and (3) present to cross-functional leadership. The role partners closely with Network Performance, Manufacturing Operations, MS&T, Business Operations Leads, and Finance to embed data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement into CMTO's governance and operating rhythms.
This position will serve as a strategic change agent and analytics translator, advancing CMTO's operational excellence culture by demonstrating quantifiable benefits from improvement initiatives, mentoring teams on lean methods and data fluency, and ensuring decisions across the network are traceable, measurable, and reviewable.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Operational Excellence Strategy & Initiative Execution
Contribute to setting CMTO's operational excellence strategy, priorities, and success measures, aligned to enterprise and functional priorities
Identify, prioritize, and drive execution of a portfolio of commercial manufacturing improvement and transformation initiatives — partnering with sites and functions while avoiding ownership of routine operations
Lead initiatives targeting lead-time reduction, launch optimization, yield, and manufacturing success-rate improvements and COGM reduction through structured problem definition, root-cause analysis, options analysis, and ROI calculation
Lead Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and structured problem-solving initiatives across technical and business processes
Performance Visibility & Standardized Metrics
Build and maintain an integrated performance view across network performance, asset execution, readiness, cost, and delivery — ensuring defined KPIs are observable in practice through consistent data availability, structure, and integrity
Establish and maintain standard dashboards, metrics, and systems of record that enable consistent CMTO LT and enterprise-level visibility and comparability
Partner with Network Performance to translate performance standards into reportable, automated views; partner with Digital Technology & Engineering on digital transformation plans that improve access to accurate, timely data
Decision & Governance Enablement
Support scenario analysis and trade-off evaluations for network, asset, and portfolio decisions by making assumptions, options, and implications transparent — without owning execution
Enable data-driven governance by ensuring decisions, assumptions, and outcomes are traceable, measurable, and reviewable in CMTO and enterprise governance forums
Prepare executive-ready materials, performance narratives, and recommendations for governance reviews and leadership decisions
Continuous Improvement & Change Execution
Embed learning, improvement discipline, and change execution into CMTO governance and operating rhythms, using insights and performance signals from Business Analytics and Network Performance
Ensure sustainability of improvements through robust change management, control plans, and performance monitoring
Identify and deploy AI, automation, and advanced analytics solutions to improve operational performance and analytics scalability
Community of Practice & Capability Building
Operate as a community-of-practice leader for manufacturing operational excellence across internal manufacturing and supply chain, driving common standards, methods, and ways of working
Mentor teams on lean processes, problem-solving tools, and data fluency, and benchmark industry best practices to inform innovative approaches
Knowledge and Skills
Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, FMEA, Hoshin Kanri, and Change Management methodologies in GMP environments
Proven experience leading improvement initiatives targeting lead-time reduction, launch optimization, yield improvement and COGM/COGs reduction
Strong 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
Demonstrated experience identifying and deploying AI, automation, and advanced analytics solutions to improve operational performance and reporting scalability
Working knowledge of data architecture concepts — systems of record, data integrity, KPI definitions and version control, and partnering with digital/IT functions on data pipelines (without owning them)
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word; experience with enterprise reporting tools such as Power BI, Tableau, SAP, Smartsheet, or similar
Ability to translate complex performance data into clear business narratives and influence senior stakeholders
Strong collaboration, facilitation, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed environment with strong role clarity, partnering across Network Performance, Business Operations, Manufacturing Operations, MS&T, Finance, and Strategic Sourcing
Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Engineering, Data Science, Analytics, or a related field required; advanced degree (MS, MBA) preferred
Typically requires 8–12 years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, regulated manufacturing, supply chain, or MS&T environments
Minimum 5 years of experience leading operational excellence, transformation, business process, performance analytics, or strategic improvement projects
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt preferred
At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.
Pay Range:
$160,000 - $240,000
Disclosure Statement:
The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.
Flex Designation:
Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible
Flex Eligibility Status:
In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:
- Hybrid : work remotely up to two days per week; or select
- On-Site : work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.
Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex's Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.
#LI-Hybrid
Company Information
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.
Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com