Principal Scientist Analytical Strategy Lilly Medicine Foundry

Organization Overview 

Lilly recently announced a $4.5 billion investment to create the Lilly Medicine Foundry, a new center for advanced manufacturing and drug development in Lebanon, Indiana. The first-ever facility of its kind combining research and manufacturing in a single location, the Medicine Foundry will allow Lilly to further develop innovative solutions to optimize manufacturing processes and increase capacity for clinical trial medicines, while also reducing costs and environmental impact. 

In the Foundry Construction and Project Delivery/Startup Phase (2025 to 2028), roles will be fluid and dynamic as we build a new organization, design and implement the necessary systems and business processes required to enable operational readiness, support project delivery, and build the site culture. Success will require significant collaboration, creativity, and resilience as the Lilly Medicine Foundry transitions from design to startup and ultimately to steady-state operations and continuous improvement. This period presents a unique opportunity for learning, growth, and making a lasting impact. 

Position Purpose 

The Analytical Strategy Scientist provides operational and strategic support across the analytical laboratories at the Lilly Medicine Foundry, serving as a key coordination and execution layer across project management, outsourcing, learning and development, and documentation functions. This role is integral to the LMF startup and commissioning phase, contributing to the establishment of foundational workflows, tracking systems, and processes needed to support analytical operations ahead of lab operationalization, and continuing to provide strategic coordination support as the site scales toward steady-state operations. The position requires strong project management, communication, and organizational skills, with a collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively across manufacturing, quality, and analytical teams in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. 

Key Responsibilities 

Project Management & Planning 

• Support planning, coordination, and execution of analytical projects and deliverables tied to LMF manufacturing runs and broader analytical department priorities. 

• Track project timelines, monitor KPIs, and maintain visibility into project status across analytical functions, flagging risks and resolving bottlenecks in coordination with analytical leadership and cross-functional partners including Manufacturing and Process Translation & Execution. 

• Develop and maintain project tracking tools, dashboards, and reporting cadences to ensure analytical priorities remain on schedule and within scope. 

• Coordinate cross-functionally to align analytical deliverables with manufacturing timelines and site operational readiness milestones. 

Outsourcing Coordination 

• Support the analytical outsourced testing program by coordinating with external vendors and contract laboratories to ensure timely, compliant delivery of analytical testing services. 

• Track vendor deliverables, timelines, and performance metrics, escalating issues to analytical leadership as needed. 

• Assist in the development and submission of Requests for Proposals and support vendor evaluation and onboarding processes in partnership with Quality Assurance and analytical leadership. 

• Partner with internal analytical functions to anticipate outsourcing needs and proactively manage external testing capacity in alignment with LMF manufacturing run schedules. 

Learning, Development & Training 

• Coordinate learning and development activities across the analytical department, including training compliance tracking, onboarding support for new team members, and capability building initiatives. 

• Partner with documentation and Quality Assurance functions to ensure timely training completion when SOPs and controlled documents are updated or newly introduced. 

• Support digital and technology training efforts as the LMF scales, helping the team build skills aligned with new analytical workflows, systems, and instrumentation. 

• Serve as a connection point to broader organizational learning and development programs and initiatives. 

Documentation & Method Readiness 

• Support analytical documentation systems to ensure SOPs, analytical methods, and controlled documents are current, compliant, and audit-ready. 

• Coordinate document reviews, approvals, and lifecycle updates in alignment with applicable regulatory guidelines, partnering with Quality Assurance to ensure documentation meets compliance requirements. 

• Support method readiness activities including tracking validation and transfer milestones to ensure analytical methods are ready to support clinical manufacturing runs, coordinating closely with analytical scientists and quality functions. 

• Partner with training functions to ensure documentation changes are communicated and training is completed in a timely manner. 

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, or a related scientific discipline 

• BS with 5+ years, MS with 2+ years of experience in project management, program coordination, or a related role in a scientific or pharmaceutical setting. 

• organizational and communication skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously 

• Proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional team environments 

• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Familiarity with analytical techniques, instrumentation, or laboratory operations in a pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical environment 

• Working knowledge of GMP environments, regulatory guidelines, or quality systems 

• Experience with outsourcing coordination, vendor management, or contract laboratory operations 

• Familiarity with learning management systems, training compliance tracking, or documentation control processes 

• Experience working in a startup or newly established facility environment 

• Proficiency in project management tools, LIMS, or electronic quality systems

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with comfort engaging cross-functionally and with senior stakeholders 

Additional Information 

• Initial location at Parkwood West, Carmel, IN, with occasional work at Lilly Technology Center, Indianapolis. 

• Permanent location at the Lilly Medicine Foundry in Lebanon, IN. 

• Limited domestic and international travel (< 10%) may be required for this role.