Upstream Team Lead

The actual location of this job is in Visp, Switzerland. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates and their families, if needed.

This is a fully site‑based role. Working together in person supports close, real‑time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards

What you’ll get:

• An agile career and a dynamic work culture
• An inclusive and ethical workplace
• Compensation programs that recognize high performance

In addition to a competitive salary, you can expect numerous lifestyle, family, and leisure benefits. The full list of our local tailored benefits can also be found below.

• Benefits in Visp: https://bit.ly/3wjkoFi

The USP Team Lead is responsible for providing technical leadership and manufacturing support for Upstream Processing (USP) operations. The role directly manages a team of Bioprocess Engineers and works closely with four USP Shift Team Leads to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing execution. The position serves as the primary technical escalation point for USP operations and supports the Head USP in achieving departmental goals related to safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and people development. 

Picket Dienst (on-call duty) is required sometimes in this role.

What you will do:

• Accountable for the planning, execution and documentation of manufacturing campaigns within the USP area. 

• Provides technical leadership and expertise for mammalian cell culture manufacturing operations. 

• Supports technology transfers, process validation, process monitoring and lifecycle management activities. 

• Ensures manufacturing activities are performed in accordance with cGMP requirements and approved procedures. 

• Prepares and executes SHE, EM, operational and cleaning risk assessments and ensures implementation of mitigation measures. 

• Acts as manufacturing subject matter expert during customer audits, inspections and visits. 

• Acts as manufacturing expert for capital projects, commissioning, qualification and start-up activities. 

• Drives innovation, operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives. 

• Ensures a high level of technical standardization across the USP organization. 

• Provides direct line management, leadership, coaching and development for a team of Bioprocess Engineers. 

• Sets objectives, establishes priorities and manages performance of direct reports. 

• Ensures effective allocation of Bioprocess Engineer resources across manufacturing support, investigations and improvement projects. 

• Supports recruitment, onboarding, training and retention of talent; Conducts performance reviews, talent assessments, succession planning and development discussions. 

• Acts as the primary escalation point for technical and personnel-related matters within the Bioprocess Engineering team. 

• Partners closely with USP Shift Team Leads to ensure alignment between manufacturing execution and engineering support activities. 

• Supports the Head USP in operational planning, resource optimization and strategic initiatives. 

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences or related discipline. 

• Minimum 5 years of experience in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, process engineering or USP operations. 

• Strong technical expertise in mammalian cell culture and GMP-regulated manufacturing environments. 

• Previous leadership and people management experience preferred. 

• Strong communication, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills. 

• Fluent English required; German highly desirable. 

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.