External Manufacturing Operations Lead (Engineering)
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. We're driven by our vision of ‘Food and Companionship Enriching Life' and our approach to sustainability – the Elanco Healthy Purpose™ – to advance the health of animals, people, the planet and our enterprise.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you'll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals' lives better makes life better – join our team today!
Your Role: External Manufacturing Operations Lead
As an External Manufacturing Operations Lead, you will be part of the EEM (Elanco External Manufacturing) Operations team, supporting end-to-end supply chain and manufacturing performance across Elanco's contract manufacturing network. In this role, you'll be responsible for ensuring continuity of product supply through cross-functional coordination, risk mitigation, and operational execution with both internal teams and external partners.
You will lead joint process teams, manage performance with contract manufacturers, and support the execution of projects such as tech transfers, revalidations, and regulatory changes.
Your Responsibilities:
Lead internal and joint process team (IPT/JPT) meetings with contract manufacturers and Elanco stakeholders, presenting operational performance metrics, facilitating decision-making, and ensuring alignment on production timelines, artwork changes, and capacity constraints.
Manage day-to-day operations with CMs, including procurement, production, inventory, and logistics, while proactively identifying and addressing risks to ensure uninterrupted supply of products to market.
Drive operational excellence by tracking and analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs), monitoring slow-moving inventory, overseeing material losses, and identifying opportunities for cost savings and supply chain optimization.
Coordinate and manage complex changes and deviations, including label updates, product reworks, bridging stock plans, and regulatory-driven modifications, ensuring timely execution and compliance through systems like PCAP and the Blue System.
Support product lifecycle and technical agenda execution, including launches, geo-expansions, revalidations, rationalizations, and tech transfers, collaborating with quality, regulatory, master data, warehousing, and affiliates to maintain supply continuity.
What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
Education: Bachelor's degree in science, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Required Experience: A minimum of 4 years of experience in manufacturing operations or supply chain, preferably in a regulated environment
Top Skills: Strong cross-functional coordination and project management skills with experience working with contract manufacturers and managing operational KPIs
What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (preferred qualifications):
Experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or animal health industry, especially working with external manufacturing partners
Proficiency with SAP (S4 Hana) and Elanco tools such as IBP (Integrated Business Planning), Veeva, CORRS, and Ariba
Ability to create and interpret data dashboards and performance reports using tools like Power BI, Excel, or other reporting platforms
Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and experience navigating change control, deviation management, and regulatory workflows
Demonstrated success in supply chain issue resolution, lifecycle management, and stakeholder engagement across production, quality, and regulatory functions
Additional Information:
Travel: 10–15% annually (domestic or international as needed)
Location: Global Elanco Headquarters – Downtown Indianapolis – Hybrid Work Environment
Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco Benefits and Perks:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
Multiple relocation packages
Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
8-week parental leave
9 Employee Resource Groups
Annual bonus offering
Flexible work arrangements
Up to 6% 401K matching
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
