Operational Excellence Director

Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology The Opportunity As the Operational Excellence Director , you will hold overall plant accountability for embedding sustainable Operational Excellence across all processes. The role leads an integrated OpEx program encompassing Front-Line Excellence, Organizational Excellence, Utilities, Overall Equipment Effectiveness, Maintenance, and Quality Excellence, with a focus on process optimization, waste elimination, and value creation. You will serve as the primary liaison between the plant and divisional OpEx teams, ensuring alignment with enterprise programs and best-practice deployment, while leading improvement initiatives that deliver year-over-year performance gains and cost savings.

What You’ll Do

• Lead development of plant-wide capability in performance metrics, measurement systems, and data interpretation to improve overall operational results.
• Drive visual management and data transparency to enhance engagement, accountability, and informed decision-making.
• Manage and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives aligned with strategic and operational objectives using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and value-stream methodologies.
• Assess current processes and workflows to identify improvement opportunities and define future-state designs that shorten value streams and eliminate non-value-added activities.
• Plan, execute, and sustain value stream mapping and Kaizen events, ensuring risks are assessed, barriers removed, and contingency plans established.
• Act as a change agent by communicating transformation initiatives, building understanding, and embedding a continuous improvement mindset across the organization.
• Estimate, validate, and track financial benefits of improvement projects in partnership with Finance and Operations.
• Partner with the site leadership team to support business strategy development, operational execution, and organizational design.
• Anticipate future operational challenges and proactively develop plans to address them.
• Support the Site Director in strategic planning and execution.
• Identify systemic issues through data and root-cause analysis, defining and driving corrective and preventive action plans.
• Lead the Training and Development function, ensuring technical and leadership programs meet current and future organizational needs.
• Continuously assess and enhance learning and development programs to align with changing business requirements.
• Cultivate a strong knowledge-sharing culture, including structured knowledge management, best-practice identification, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Lead customer, affiliate, and external stakeholder visits to showcase Abbott’s value proposition.
• Lead Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and external engagement with schools, institutions, and community partners.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of Lean Six Sigma, with proven capabilities in human relations, communication, change management, employee engagement, facilitation, and project management. Demonstrates a broad, global understanding of business operations.
• Proven ability in coaching and mentoring, with strong influencing and negotiation skills.
• Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification is preferred.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in an operational role within a large-scale manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage employees at all levels and clearly articulate goals.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with plant-wide teams to motivate, develop, and drive performance.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent qualification.

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

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