Head of Operational Excellence Nerviano Site

About us

Chiesi is an international research-focused biopharmaceutical group with 90 years' experience, operating in more than 30 countries, with its Headquarter in Parma, Italy. More than 8,000 employees across the group are united by a singular purpose: promoting a healthier world for our people, patients, and the planet. This is what drives us as we research, develop, and market innovative drugs across our main therapeutic areas. Discover more here.

At Chiesi we are thinking generations ahead, driving sustainable innovation with purpose. This fosters a culture of reliability, transparency, and ethical behaviour at every level. As a Benefit Corporation and a certified B Corp, we have embedded sustainability in our bylaws and continuously measure our impact.

Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of who we are. We believe our differences make us stronger. We are a vibrant ecosystem of passionate, talented individuals united by strong values, each bringing unique perspectives that help us to continuously challenge the status quo for the better.

Chiesi Global Manufacturing Division

Chiesi Group has three production plants:

Parma
(Italy), the strategic hub for the production and distribution of our products, serving as an international supply center with exports to over 80 countries. Here, solid medicines such as tablets and dry powders for inhalers, solutions and suspensions for inhalations and sterile suspension vials for endotracheal administration are produced.

In 2024, a new
Biotech Centre of Excellence
has launched in Parma. The new facility is dedicated to developing and producing monoclonal antibodies, enzymes, and other proteins.

Blois-La Chaussée Saint Victor plant
(France), a center of excellence specializing in the production of Dry Powder Inhalers and Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs). The site manages direct distribution to customers in the French market and exports to other markets, effectively meeting both local and international needs.

Santana de Parnaiba
(Brazil), specialized in the production of pressurized solutions and suspensions for inhalation therapy (pMDIs). Additionally, it has an area dedicated to nasal sprays for the European market. Santana produces pressurised solutions and suspensions for inhalation therapy (MDI).

In 2025, a new investment in
Nerviano
(Italy) has been announced with the construction of a new facility which will be primarily dedicated to manufacturing carbon minimal inhalers (reinforcing the company's commitment to both patients' health and sustainable healthcare solutions), dry powder inhalers and sterile biological products.

Who we are looking for

This is what you will do

We are looking for the
Head of Operational Excellence
for the Nerviano Site, a strategic leader responsible for elevating performance standards and embedding a culture of continuous improvement across the organization. Drives operational excellence by streamlining site processes, maximizing productivity, and minimizing inefficiencies. Champions team performance through proactive leadership, strategic guidance, and continuous alignment with global objectives, fostering impactful cross-functional collaboration.

You will be responsible for

• Lead operational excellence initiatives within the plant to improve efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Implement Lean and other continuous improvement methodologies at the site level.
• Monitor and analyze plant performance metrics, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with production, quality, maintenance, and supply chain teams to ensure alignment with global standards.
• Drive waste reduction and productivity improvement projects, ensuring timely execution and measurable results.
• Support digital transformation initiatives and adoption of new technologies at the plant.
• Facilitate training and coaching for plant teams to build a culture of continuous improvement.
• Report progress and outcomes to the Director of Operational Excellence and contribute to strategic planning

You will need to have

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or process improvement roles.
• Proven track record in implementing Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
• Leadership to manage collaborators.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with a data-driven mindset.
• Fluent in English.

We would prefer for you to have

Additional languages could be a plus.

Location

Nerviano, Milan.

What we offer

No matter where your path starts at Chiesi, it leads to inspiring possibilities. Your future is our focus, and we are committed to nurturing your development in our dynamic, friendly environment with access to resources and training every step of the way.

We provide top-class benefits, including comprehensive healthcare programs, work-life balance initiatives, and robust relocation support. Our salary package is competitive, comprising a basic salary, performance bonuses, and benefits benchmarked against the external market. Additionally, we offer flexible working arrangements, remote work options, and tax assistance services for foreign colleagues, all designed to help you thrive.

Chiesi is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce at all levels of our business. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment based on attitude and merit, without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, eligibility for benefits, and termination.