Join Immatics and shape the future of cancer immunotherapy; one patient at a time!
Immatics is committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients with cancer. We are the global leader in precision targeting of PRAME, a target expressed in more than 50 cancers. Our cutting-edge science and robust clinical pipeline form the broadest PRAME franchise with the most PRAME indications and modalities, spanning TCR T-cell therapies and TCR bispecifics.
Why Join Us?
Innovative Environment: Help pioneer advancements in cancer immunotherapy.
Collaborative Culture: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to your professional growth.
Global Impact: Contribute to therapies that make a lasting impact on patients globally.
We are seeking an Associate Director of Operational Excellence to support our Global Quality Operations Team. The Associate Director of Operational Excellence will be responsible for leading and executing high-impact improvement initiatives that strengthen operational efficiency, reduce cost, and optimize process performance.
FLSA Classification: Salary, Exempt
Schedule: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Monday to Friday; On-site
Reports to: Senior Director Operational Excellence
Location: 13203 Murphy Road Suite 100 Stafford, TX 77477
What You’ll Do:
As an Associate Director, Operational Excellence, you will play a key role in supporting our operations:
Operational Excellence Deployment
Lead deployment of Prime BPM across assigned workstreams.
Support Hoshin Strategy Deployment and Coaching, Supporting Managing for Daily Improvement (MDI Tier Systems – T0, T1, T2, T3+), and Workstream Performance Tower Creation, Governance and All Routines.
Efficiency & Cost Reduction Initiatives
Drive COGS reduction projects and enterprise-level cost efficiency.
Optimize every workstream process throughput, reduce waste, and ensure measurable improvements.
Process Optimization & Lead Time Reduction
Improve workflow efficiency, cycle times, and process reliability across functions.
Use Lean, Six Sigma, and structured continuous improvement methods to achieve desired outcomes.
Change Leadership & Performance Management
Influence leaders and teams to adopt and sustain new operational lean leadership behaviors (Leader Standard Work, Leader Action Plans, Gemba, etc.)
Coach teams in continuous improvement tools and frameworks.
Cross-functional Partnership
Serve as OpEx partner for designated workstreams.
Ensure alignment between operational execution and business strategy.
Support Organizational Transformation
Contribute to commercial readiness and operational maturity progression.
Deliver immediate operational impact and support capability building (Lean & Belt Systems Training for the Organization).
This position works closely with the Head of Operational Excellence to ensure organizational goals are met and consistently delivered.
Required Experience and Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Life Sciences, Business, or related field.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt required; Master Black Belt preferred.
• 8–10 years of Operational Excellence experience in biotech/pharma or from any other industry such as Oil and Gas, Automotive, Aerospace, etc. Or advanced manufacturing.
• Strong expertise in Lean systems including VSM, Gemba, Kata, Standard Work, and 6S.
• Demonstrated experience leading training programs and belt certification.
• Expertise in DMAIC/DFSS, RCA, CAPA, and error-prevention systems.
• Strong change leadership and cross-functional influence capabilities
Preferred Experience and Education:
Master Black Belt certification.
Microsoft Office Suite experience
Experience with a statistical software platform such as Minitab, SigmaXL, JMP, etc.
AI ChatGPT simple to intermediate applications development experience
Experience in commercial readiness, tech transfer, or operations scale-up.
Understanding of GMP/GCP requirements and regulatory expectations.
Experience deploying BPM systems and digital workflow tools.
Background in fast-growing biotech or cell therapy operations.
Competencies
Leadership Character
Role model
Self-awareness
Ability to consciously change flight altitude (high strategic level to hands-on and back gain)
Agile
Self-control
Proactivity and self-directive
Courage
“Disagree-but-commit” mindset
Strategic Thinking, Vision & Action
Understands strategic internal and external drivers of success
Develops overarching vision and strategic plan
Takes time-appropriate decisions
Leads by providing direction, aligning relevant stakeholders and getting commitment
Passionate about business efficiency
Executes by empowering
Ability to Lead Change
Passionate about continuous improvement and life-long learning
Helps others navigate the change process
Encourages team members to learn
Successfully manages emotions and diffuses conflict
Removes obstacles for teams
Creates an environment of psychological safety
Leads across boundaries
Ability to Span Boundaries & Polarities
Makes decisions beyond own agenda
Acts as effective interface
Balance opposite needs of the organization
Promotes a sense of “ONE” Immatics
Balances innovation and control
Consciously adjusts flight altitude
Leadership Communication & Listening
Seeks to understand first
Provides honest feedback with humility
Results-oriented
Takes a visible and active role in sharing information company-wide
Able to speak publicly
Understands/ anticipates need of receiving party
Impactful and concise communication
Work Environment:
This position works regularly in a typical office environment with moderate noise levels and regularly uses phone, computer and office supplies. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be occasionally exposed to a lab environment with moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, pathogens, and toxic or caustic chemicals.
Travel required: Minimal travel required – once or twice per year domestically or internationally.
Physical demands:
Communicating Verbally – expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to others to convey detailed spoken instructions or other workers accurately, loudly or quickly.
Hearing – the ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and/or other sounds one-on-one, group or conference, telephone, and other sounds.
Keyboarding – entering data or text into a computer or other machine by means of a keyboard. Devices include a traditional keyboard, 10 key-pad, touch screens and others.
Lifting - raising or lowering an object (up to 25 lbs) from one level to another (includes upward pulling). Carrying is to transport an object – usually by holding it in the hands or arms but may occur on the shoulder.
Near Visual Acuity – clarity of vision at approximately 20 inches or less (working with small objects, reading small print, including the use of computers).
Pushing - Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from the object.
Pulling - Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves toward the force.
Sitting – remaining in a sitting position for at least 50% of the time.
Standing/Walking - remain on one's feet in an upright position at a workstation.
Stooping – occasional bending the body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist - requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
Work authorization/security clearance requirements:
Legal eligibility to work in the United States is required. Immatics participates in E-Verify and all new employees will be subject to the Department of Homeland Security requirements for employment
Affirmative Action/EEO statement:
Immatics is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs.
What do we offer?
At Immatics, we believe in investing in our team’s health, safety and well-being. Here’s what you can expect if you join Immatics
Comprehensive Benefits:
Competitive rates for Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
4 weeks of Paid Time off, granted up front each year and prorated for first and last year of employment.
Sick Time Off – 56 hours
12 Paid Holidays
100% Employer-Paid Life Insurance up to at 1x annual salary.
100% Employer Paid Short- and Long-Term Disability Coverage
401(k) with Immediate Eligibility & company match…
You are eligible for 401(k) plan participation as of your first paycheck.
The company will match 100% of your contributions up to 3% of your base salary for the first two years of employment, 4% for years 2-3 of employment, and up to 5% of your salary from the fourth year onward of continued employment.
Partially paid Parental Leave for eligible employees. (3 weeks)
Additional voluntary employee paid coverages including Accident, Hospital Indemnity, and Critical Illness Employee Paid Identity Theft Protection and Pet Insurance.
Professional Growth:
Opportunities to work with leading experts in the field of T-cell immunotherapy.
Company provided learning and development opportunities
Fast paced, high demand collaborative and dynamic environment.