Manager, Operational Excellence

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. Youâll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of .
• Free medical coverage for employees* via the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO
• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelorâs degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

Our location in Westford, MA currently has an opportunity for a Manager, Operational Excellence.

The Opportunity

This position works out of our Westford, MA, in the Abbott Vascular Division.  Our medical devices help more than 10,000 people have healthier hearts, improve quality of life for thousands of people living with chronic pain and movement disorders, and liberate more than 500,000 people with diabetes from routine ï¬ngersticks.  Abbott Vascular provides innovative, minimally invasive, and cost-effective products for treatment of vascular disease.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

This position will have overall Plant responsibility for Operational Excellence work streams, including Front Line Excellence, Organizational Excellence, Utilities Excellence, OEE Excellence and Maintenance Excellence, as well as removing waste from the business. The Operational Excellence Leader will be responsible for leading and driving the principle-based behaviors within the plant which include: Creating value for our business and customers, accountability and ownership at all levels, integration and inclusiveness (within plant and outside of plant), focusing on the process, embracing data & facts, do it right the first time, leading by example and respect for all. It is through these pillars; the Operational Excellence Leader will be responsible for the identification, management and execution of projects within the plant which will deliver year-over-year improvements. The Operational Excellence Leader will be the catalyst within the plant to appropriately, and respectfully, challenge status quo which will continually drive improvements via best practice replication (learning from within the network and externally), creative and innovative solutions, alignment of goals and objectives and resource planning to deliver results.

What Youâll Work On

⢠Lead organizationâs capability in knowledge and understanding of metrics and measurements which impact the total performance of the plant.

⢠Drive visual management and data understanding throughout the plant.

⢠Manage and facilitate continuous improvement projects in support of company objectives.

⢠Develops an implementation plan, conducts risk assessments and develops contingency plans to accommodate unforeseen events.

⢠Recognizes and removes barriers to project completion.

⢠Recognizes the broader implications of actions and proposals on the overall business.

⢠Mentor/train key stakeholders in the use and practice of continuous improvement methodologies and tools. (Lean, value stream mapping, six-sigma, Kaizen). Assesses current processes and standard work flow and identifies process improvement opportunities utilizing organizational, analytical, Lean and six sigma problem solving methodologies.

⢠Assist in selecting, scoping and prioritizing continuous improvement projects across the business ·Plans and facilitates the in the execution of various value stream mapping and Kaizen events.

⢠Estimates and verifies financial benefits from continuous improvement projects.

⢠Acts as a change agent by communicating the enterprise wide changes to the employees and helping them to learn, understand, adjust and grow within the continuous improvement culture.

⢠Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

⢠Participates as a key business partner to the leadership team.

⢠Contributes to business strategy development and operational execution of business plans.

⢠Helps to create the future state as it relates to shortened value streams, manufacturing strategies, cross-functional processes, and the establishment of uniform policies and procedures.

⢠Develops programs and initiatives that support the business strategies and plans.

⢠Teams with Operations Leadership on organizational design and development to ensure appropriate results.

⢠Leads change to improve organizational effectiveness.

⢠Drives the change management necessary to implement effective programs.

⢠Thinks strategically to anticipate future issues and challenges and create appropriate plans now, using proactive approaches.

⢠Demonstrates analytical capability to find systemic issues to root cause, and crest actions plant to mitigate, close and/or eliminate.

 

Minimum Experience / Training Required

• Bachelors Degree and 8-10+ years experience.
• 2-4 years of demonstrated success in applying Continuous Improvement / BEx tools.
• A minimum 2 - 5 yearsâ experience in manufacturing operations, business improvement, quality systems or other areas related to the project with an understanding of Abbott internal systems and procedures.
• Certification or equivalent working knowledge of improvement tools and methodologies â Lean/Six Sigma; Black belt preferred.
• Knowledge of applicable regulatory standards and requirements for FDA regulated environment.
• Experience in operations management and knowledge of cost accounting/financial reporting systems.

 

Good functional computer skills (Microsoft Office programs, Excel, etc.) is required. Willingness to travel (to facilitate personal development and support of other sites). Demonstrated diplomacy and effective functioning and communication in a matrix environment. Ability to organize and lead cross functional teams and align team members to management's vision. This position requires excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to effectively lead in a team environment, adaptable to change, able to manage competing priorities, excellent analytical and problem solving skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills and sense of business savvy. Requires the ability to make critical decisions in a fast-paced production environment. Solicits the cooperation of a diverse group of disciplines and functions in a tactful and persuasive manner.

WHAT WE OFFER :

At Abbott, you can have a good job that can grow into a great career. We offer:

• A fast-paced work environment where your safety is our priority
• Training and career development, with onboarding programs for new employees and tuition assistance
• Financial security through competitive compensation, incentives and retirement plans
• Health care and well-being programs including medical, dental, vision, wellness and occupational health programs
• Paid time off
• 401(k) retirement savings with a generous company match
• The stability of a company with a record of strong financial performance and history of being actively involved in local communities

Apply Now

* Participants who complete a short wellness assessment qualify for FREE coverage in our HIP PPO medical plan. Free coverage applies in the next calendar year.

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:  www.abbottbenefits.com

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.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

The base pay for this position is $95,000.00 â $190,000.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.