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. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.

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: Director – Operations

As Director – Operations, you will lead biologics manufacturing operations at Elanco’s Fort Dodge, Iowa site—one of the company’s key production facilities supporting its global animal health portfolio. In this role, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for biologics production, overseeing large manufacturing teams while driving safety, quality, and operational excellence in a highly regulated environment.

You will partner across manufacturing, quality, engineering, and process development to ensure reliable product supply, continuous improvement of manufacturing processes, and successful commercialization of new products.

Your Responsibilities

• Lead biologics manufacturing operations to ensure the safe, compliant, and efficient production of high-quality biological products.
• Develop and lead a large production organization, coaching frontline leaders and building high-performing teams.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives, including LEAN and continuous improvement programs to improve efficiency, reliability, and cost performance.
• Partner with Process Development and technical teams to support new product introduction, technology transfer, and validation activities.
• Manage operational planning including departmental budgets, capital investments, and strategic initiatives to support site and business objectives.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications)

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a scientific, engineering, or related discipline
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in biologics manufacturing, production operations, or regulated pharmaceutical/biotechnology manufacturing
• Top Skills: Operational leadership of manufacturing teams and expertise in regulated biologics or pharmaceutical production environments

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (preferred qualifications)

• Experience in animal health, biologics, vaccine, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology manufacturing
• Demonstrated experience leading large teams in regulated environments (cGMP, USDA, FDA, or similar)
• Experience implementing LEAN manufacturing, operational excellence, or continuous improvement initiatives
• Strong experience with biologics production processes, fermentation, purification, or vaccine manufacturing
• Experience managing significant operational budgets and capital investment projects

Additional Information

• Travel: Up to 10% annually
• Location: Fort Dodge, IA – Onsite

Physical Requirements

Occasionally (1–33%)

Sitting, reclining, reaching (extended hands/arms), reaching across midline, handling, feeling, crouching/squatting, crawling, balancing, stooping, kneeling, jumping, stairs, ramp, ladder, lifting/lowering, carrying, pushing/pulling.

Frequently (34–66%)

Standing, walking, fingering (pinch/pick).

Constantly (67–100%)

Change of position.

Light Work (Level 2): Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently.

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