Sarita Dhage stands out as a visionary leader and technologist in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector. Currently serving as Manager–MES Business Integrator at Eli Lilly and Company, she has established herself as a driving force in advancing digital manufacturing practices. Her role at the forefront of MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) integration not only showcases her technical expertise but also her ability to lead diverse teams through complex digital transformations in global biopharma environments.
Early Life and Academic Foundation
Sarita’s journey began in India, where she laid a solid academic foundation by earning a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from Pune University in 2007. Her formal education equipped her with core technical knowledge in computing, systems architecture, and software engineering—skills that would prove indispensable throughout her professional career. This rigorous academic background prepared her to navigate and lead in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, setting the stage for a career marked by innovation and precision.
Professional Journey
Sarita’s professional career spans over 14 years, with a significant tenure at Emerson Process Management, where she held roles from System Engineer to Senior MES Engineer. At Emerson, she made pivotal contributions to major MES implementations at global pharmaceutical giants like Genentech, GSK, Novo Nordisk, and Alexion. Her work included everything from designing electronic batch records to developing integration frameworks between MES and DCS systems like DeltaV.
Since joining Eli Lilly in 2023, she has played an integral role at multiple manufacturing sites , including Limerick, Ireland, and Indianapolis. Sarita has led efforts to digitize batch records, integrate MES with SAP and EWM using REST APIs, and manage the Syncade software lifecycle. Her meticulous attention to detail and strategic thinking enabled seamless transitions from paper-based processes to fully digital systems, enhancing efficiency and compliance.
Leadership and Innovation
Sarita’s leadership style is rooted in collaboration, clarity, and consistency. She is known for steering cross-functional teams—including business units, IT, quality assurance, and vendors—toward unified goals. As a design lead and integration strategist, she ensures that every technical solution aligns with regulatory standards like GMP, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, and frameworks like ISA 88 and S95.
She is also adept at leading code reviews and mentoring junior engineers, promoting best practices and clean design principles. Her leadership during the MES-SAP interface integration at Eli Lilly is a testament to her ability to drive technically challenging projects with minimal operational disruption. By fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement, Sarita builds resilient teams that are capable of delivering groundbreaking solutions in highly regulated environments.
Notable Achievements
Among Sarita’s most impactful achievements is her work in designing and deploying digital batch records for Eli Lilly’s Indianapolis site, enabling streamlined, paperless manufacturing. She also led the global MES-SAP interface integration for Lilly’s Limerick site, developing robust test scripts to validate business-critical transactions. Additionally, her tenure at Emerson saw her contributing to the Syncade V6 Installer development—an upgrade that enhanced the efficiency and reliability of MES deployments across top-tier pharma clients.
Her dual ability to manage high-level strategy and delve into granular technical issues has made her indispensable in every role. Sarita’s influence is visible in improved compliance rates, enhanced operational efficiencies, and successful digital transformations across numerous projects.
Academic Contributions
Sarita bridges the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application through her extensive training and certifications. These include credentials in GAMP 5, Syncade Recipe Authoring, Pharma Manufacturing Processes, and InfoBatch Reporting. Her work adheres to validated methodologies and emphasizes documentation excellence—from functional specifications to validation protocols—underscoring her commitment to quality and compliance.
She has also been involved in creating configuration management plans, test specifications, and training programs, reflecting a deep understanding of both the theoretical underpinnings and practical execution of MES systems.
Future Vision and Impact
Sarita Dhage continues to shape pharmaceutical manufacturing through her leadership at Eli Lilly. She drives MES integration across global sites and explores emerging technologies to enhance Syncade. With a focus on standardization and interoperability, she champions digital tools that reduce complexity. Her vision includes global MES replication and real-time, compliant decision-making. Sarita’s innovation, leadership, and technical expertise position her as a key force in advancing smarter, more resilient manufacturing systems.
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