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Jason Lester
VP, Real Estate & Facilities Services
Professional Background
Jason Lester is an accomplished operations leader with extensive experience in supply chain management, particularly in manufacturing, real estate, facilities, program management, and strategic business planning. His career spans several prominent organizations, where he has consistently demonstrated a capacity for adding value across diverse functions. With a passion for team leadership and a commitment to enhancing the life and health of others, Jason has spearheaded initiatives that deliver meaningful outcomes for both companies and their stakeholders.
Throughout his tenure at Exact Sciences, Jason held multiple key positions, including Vice President of Real Estate and Facilities Services and Senior Director of Real Estate and Site Services. In these roles, he showcased his aptitude for managing large-scale facilities and real estate operations while fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation among cross-functional teams.
Before joining Exact Sciences, Jason's career flourished at Boston Scientific, a global leader in medical technology. During his time there, he ascended through several roles, including Director of Global Real Estate, Facilities and EH&S - Western North America, Director of Program Management, Director of Production, and Director of Materials Management. His diverse career at Boston Scientific not only demonstrated his versatility in operations management, but also underscored his ability to drive significant improvements in efficiency and effectiveness across various departments.
Earlier in his career, Jason served as both the Industrial Engineering Manager at AVX Corporation and as an Industrial Engineer at Philips Components, where he laid a strong foundation in industrial engineering principles and lean manufacturing strategies. His hands-on approach and analytical mindset have positioned him as a respected figure in his field, capable of leveraging engineering backgrounds in operational excellence.
Education and Achievements
Jason's educational background plays a crucial role in shaping his career as an operations leader. He obtained his Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Business Administration, Management, and Operations from the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business. This advanced education equipped him with strategic thinking skills necessary to lead complex operational challenges and initiatives.
Prior to his MBA, Jason earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech. This education provided him with a solid foundation in systems engineering, which he has effectively applied in his professional roles, fostering process improvements and optimizing workflows for heightened efficiency.
Jason's pursuit of excellence does not stop at his formal education; it extends into his dedication to continuous improvement and professional development. His journey has included various certifications and training that further bolster his operational leadership skills, ensuring he stays abreast of the latest trends and technologies in supply chain and facilities management.
Achievements
One of Jason's standout achievements is his ability to lead teams in high-pressure environments to achieve their goals while ensuring that the organizational objectives align with enhancing health and well-being. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, empowering teams to take ownership of their projects, and encouraging creative problem-solving.
At Exact Sciences, Jason led significant improvements in real estate operations that resulted in increased operational efficiency and reduced costs, while also ensuring a focus on health-related outcomes. His work in enhancing workplace experience at 23andMe not only improved employee satisfaction but also contributed to the organization's bottom line by optimizing space utilization and promoting a healthy work culture.
During his time at Boston Scientific, Jason was recognized for his innovative approach to program management and his ability to streamline operations across various levels of the organization. Specific projects led to enhanced production timelines and improved quality controls, which are critical in the medical technology field.
Jason continues to be a thought leader in operations, regularly sharing insights and strategies on managing real estate and facilities services within the healthcare sector. His commitment to connecting operational excellence with positive health outcomes makes him a valued resource for organizations seeking comprehensive supply chain solutions.
In summary, Jason Lester is a distinguished operations leader whose career is marked by an unwavering dedication to improving the supply chain landscape. His expertise spans real estate and facilities management, program management, and strategic business planning, backed by a robust educational foundation. As he continues to lead and inspire teams toward meaningful objectives, Jason remains focused on the overarching goal of bettering the lives and health of individuals through innovative operational practices.
