Global Business Excellence Lead

Pleased to meet you, we are Galapagos, a dynamic growing Biotech company with offices across Europe and in US, headquartered in Mechelen, Belgium.

We are in the business of changing lives. Focusing on high unmet medical needs, we synergize compelling science, technology, and collaborative approaches to create a deep pipeline of best-in-class medicines. With capabilities from lab to patient, including a decentralized cell therapy manufacturing platform, we are committed to challenging the status quo and delivering results for our patients, employees, and shareholders. Our goal is not just to meet current medical needs but to anticipate and shape the future of healthcare, ensuring that our innovations reach those who need them most.

We pioneer for patients. We need thought leaders and rapid thinkers, entrepreneurs in spirit and status quo-fighters. Collaborative innovators and perseverant idealists. We need the best-in-class. In other words, we need you : The ‘make-it-happener’.

We are looking for a Global Business Excellence Lead. 

Scope of the job

Are you driven by operational excellence and strategic impact? As Global Business Excellence Lead, you will be a key architect in shaping and scaling the operational backbone of Galapagos' Cell Therapy portfolio. You will lead critical initiatives to optimize and future-proof our decentralized manufacturing model, ensuring reliability, efficiency, compliance, and agility across the entire value chain – from supply chain and manufacturing to engineering and lab operations.

This role has global scope and strategic visibility. You’ll drive operational excellence across internal operations and our global network of decentralized CAR-T manufacturing units. You’ll also act as Decision Support Lead, steering the strategic roadmap and supporting executive decision-making as we move toward commercialization.

Your role

Operational Excellence

• Lead the Cell Therapy Operational Efficiency Roadmap: design and optimize key processes using Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, value stream mapping, network modeling, and other proven tools.

• Identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities in reliability, agility, cost-effectiveness, and compliance.

• Define and maintain performance metrics to track progress and impact.

• Drive transition from clinical to commercial operations.

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement: coach and mentor teams in Lean and change management.

Strategic Decision Support

• Support senior leadership in shaping and executing the strategic roadmap of the Cell Therapy platform.

• Drive program management for cross-functional strategic initiatives.

• Organize and lead strategic governance meetings and working groups to enable informed, data-driven decisions.

Cross-functional Collaboration & Communication

• Partner with department heads and management to identify key operational pain points and improvement opportunities.

• Facilitate stakeholder alignment across all levels of the organization.

• Provide transparent reporting on initiative progress, business impact, and performance metrics.

• Guide cross-functional teams through scenario-based decision making and prioritization.

Who are you ?

Experience

• Master’s degree in a scientific field (Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, etc.); a business degree is a plus.

• 8+ years of experience in Operations (e.g., Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Technical Operations) within the pharma/biotech sector. Cell Therapy experience is highly valued.

• Deep knowledge of Operational Excellence with a proven track record of Lean/Continuous Improvement success. Lean Green or Black Belt certification strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience in leading cross-functional projects and teams. Consulting or Agile Project Management background is a plus.

• Experienced in working in a global environment (US & EU)

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinker with a strong drive for continuous improvement.

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, dynamic global environment.

• Agile and results-driven mindset, with uncompromising focus on quality and compliance.

• Skilled in balancing big-picture thinking with operational detail.

• Excellent communicator and influencer, capable of engaging with stakeholders at all levels, including Management Committee

 What’s in it for you ?

At Galapagos, we prioritize your continuous growth and development, fostering a culture of empowerment. Our employees are the driving force behind our mission to lead in pharmaceutical research and innovation.

We offer a competitive compensation package and a supportive work environment with strong focus on your health and well-being. Join us in our journey towards sustainability, as we strive to make a lasting impact on both the industry and the planet.

Galapagos is dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities. Our hiring decisions are based on merit, considering qualifications, skills, performance, and achievements. We strictly prohibit discrimination against any employee or job applicant based on personal characteristics that are unrelated to their job.

We are Galapagos : together we can make it happen…!