Sr. Operational Excellence Engineer

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating, and one day curing, life‑threatening diseases. Headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, we are developing advanced cell therapies across a diverse array of technology platforms, including autologous and allogenic chimeric antigen receptor T‑cell, T‑cell receptor (TCR‑T), and natural killer (NK) cell‑based immunotherapy. From our three R&D sites around the world, we apply these innovative technologies to pursue the discovery of safe, efficacious and cutting‑edge therapeutics for patients worldwide.

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Janssen, one of the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, to jointly develop and commercialize ciltacabtagene autolecull (cilta‑cel). Our strategic partnership is designed to combine the strengths and expertise of both companies to advance the promise of an immunotherapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking a Sr. Operational Excellence Engineer as part of the Technical Operations team based in Raritan, NJ.

This position will be responsible for driving the operational excellence / continuous improvement program at the Raritan cGMP Clinical and Commercial Cell Therapy Manufacturing plant. This individual will lead complex, cross‑functional continuous improvement projects with support from various site functions to support strategic and tactical objectives.

The individual will be responsible for owning, driving and delivering safety, quality, delivery and cost saving and/or efficiency improvements, ensuring alignment in support of the overall objectives and priorities of the plant.

The role will require demonstrated lean leadership, expertise in disciplined problem solving and effective continuous improvement in a cGMP environment. This is a highly visible role requiring communication, coordination and collaboration across cross‑functional partners and with site leadership.

This role will report to the Lead, Operational Excellence Execution.

• Responsible for identifying and, with the support of functional areas and the Operational Excellence team, executing on a Lean and Continuous Improvement strategy that enables the site to achieve its SQPDC objectives.
• Executes the defined continuous improvement program through the use of lean and six sigma methodologies such as DMAIC, root cause problem solving, daily management system (tier process), leader standard and standardized work, visual tools, PDCA, Kanban, pull systems, SMED, pareto, FMEA, A3 thinking, time studies, poke yoke, value stream/process mapping and others.
• Reports progress updates of programs and projects to various levels of leadership and key stakeholders.
• Operates as the Lean Coach for the Raritan site, mentoring Lean Practitioners and leadership to adopt a continuous improvement mindset.
• Leads, facilitates and teaches others to facilitate and participate in kaizen events and increase continuous improvement skills.
• Applies and teaches change management methodology in all aspects of the plant operational excellence efforts.

• B.S. in a STEM related field required. M.S. in a STEM related field preferred or desirable.
• Minimum 10+ years of experience with a B.S. or 8+ years of experience with a M.S. leading and supporting continuous improvement efforts and/or Kaizen programs in a manufacturing environment.
• Driven to completion numerous quantifiable improvements in SQPDC pillars within multiple site functions (Production, Engineering, Facilities, Maintenance, QA, QC, etc.).
• Trained in lean and six sigma methodologies required. Six Sigma Black Belt (with projects) preferred. Certification by reputable 3rd‑party organizations (i.e. ASQ, Society of Manufacturing Engineers) preferred.
• Routine application of Lean and Six Sigma problem solving tools and techniques to drive substantial business results.
• Superior knowledge and demonstrated execution of continuous improvement and lean tools and techniques.
• Proficiency in Change Management and Communication in a highly matrixed environment.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel – Pivot Tables, etc.
• Proficiency with…