Senior Operational Improvement Specialist & Team Lead (Animal Research Department)

A new role that combines hands-on Lean coaching with team leadership to embed continuous improvement in animal research operations.

Welcome to our team

Our Animal Research Department (ARD) in Boxmeer is dedicated to executing animal studies that support our Research & Development (R&D) and Quality Control (QC) initiatives, while strictly adhering to the 3R principles: Replace, Reduce, and Refine. With a team of over 60 skilled employees, the ARD conducts experiments aimed at developing innovative vaccines and biotherapeutics, as well as facilitating the compliant release of licensed vaccines in line with regulatory guidelines. Additionally, the department conducts pathology studies across various species. Our ARD is structured into four operational teams focused on experimental research, a Veterinary Team responsible for ensuring the highest standards of animal care, and a Center of Excellence of six specialists supporting these efforts, enhancing our Operational Processes, Safety, Quality, and Project Management initiatives.

About the role

Reporting to the Director of Operations for ARD, you will drive the identification, redesign and sustainable optimization of ARD’s key processes using Lean and continuous-improvement methodologies. Working closely with mainly managers in ARD, you will map value streams, define standard work, implement controls and remove non-value-added steps to improve throughput, predictability and efficiency. Improvements to customer satisfaction, costs, safety, GLP (Good Laboratory Practice), EHS (Environment, Health & Safety), quality and capital project delivery will follow as outcomes of stronger process design and execution. In this dual role you combine managerial responsibility for the CoE team with hands‑on execution of improvement projects. You develop and coach the team to support ARD processes while simultaneously initiating, leading and participating in improvement activities.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Build and lead a stable, high‑performing CoE whose members are trained and deployed on Lean projects, embedding continuous improvement into daily operations. You develop and coach the CoE team to define, implement and maintain visible, accessible standards across ARD.
• Proactively engage sponsors and stakeholders to obtain commitment and resolve dependencies, ensuring improvement initiatives stay within scope and meet scheduled milestones.
• Design, deploy and maintain visual management systems (boards, KPIs, floor markings, workflow visuals) to make process performance and abnormalities immediately visible.
• Coach managers and operators on daily adherence to standards, 5S and visual controls through on-the-floor coaching and follow-up audits.
• Facilitate Kaizen events and support teams to identify, scope and implement self‑initiated improvement ideas.
• Build capability for continuous improvement by training staff in Lean tools (standardization, 5S, visual management, A3, PDCA) and mentoring Kaizen leaders.
• Remove barriers and secure resources for frontline improvement efforts; escalate unresolved issues to stakeholders and sponsors to ensure timely resolution.
• Integrate GLP and EHS requirements into standards and visual controls to maintain compliance while improving operational performance.
• Promote ownership of continuous improvement at all levels by recognizing and rewarding teams that generate and implement self‑initiated improvements.

Your profile

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration, engineering or a relevant field.
• Proven experience in continuous improvement/Lean implementation in a regulated operational environment (e.g. pharmaceutical, biotech, manufacturing).
• Proven ability or strong ambition to lead and coach small specialist teams.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, preferably using structured scientific or data-driven methodologies.
• Effective communication and change management skills with an ability to present results, drive alignment, remove barriers and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent command of the Dutch and English language.
• Living close to Boxmeer as this role requires on-site presence at least four days a week.

What we offer

A meaningful role where your Lean expertise directly improves animal welfare, safety and product quality, with continuous development opportunities and visibility with senior stakeholders. Our benefits are very competitive, and the summary below will give you an idea of what you can expect:

• Competitive salary and a 3% year-end allowance.
• 35.5 days of leave.
• Attractive collective health care insurance package with considerable reduction rates.
• Solid Pension Plan.
• Annual bonus based on own and company performance.
• Travel allowance for commuting.
• Numerous training, coaching and e-learning modules for long-term job opportunities and development.

Animal Health

Our Animal Health Division is a trusted global leader in veterinary medicine, dedicated to preserving and improving health, well-being, and performance of animals and the people who care for them. We are a global team of professionals working together to make a positive difference in animal care and the world’s food supply and have a deep sense of responsibility towards our customers, consumers, animals, society, and our planet.

Through our commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, we offer veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability and monitoring products. We invest in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. We are present in more than 50 countries, while our products are available in some 150 markets.

Required Skills: 5S Lean, Change Management, Lean Fundamentals, Lean Initiatives, Lean Leadership, Lean Management, Lean Six Sigma (LSS), Project Management, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning, Team Coaching, Team Play, Teamwork

Preferred Skills: Continuous Improvement, People Management

For questions about this vacancy

Please send an email including the vacancy number and job title to the following email address: RecruitmentNL@MSD.com