Operational Excellence Manager

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.

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. You will have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.

• 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.

The Opportunity

• Lead Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement (CI) Workstreams, driving the principle-based behaviors within the site which include creating value for our business and customers, accountability and ownership at all levels, and integration of site and divisional CI initiatives by focusing on the process, embracing data & facts and enabling a "right the first time" culture. Identify, manage and execute projects within the site which will deliver year-over-year improvements.
• Be the catalyst within the site to challenge status quo to continually drive improvements. Serve as a member of the site senior staff leadership team.

What You’ll Do:

• Direct the development of new business approaches and concepts to maximize efficiencies and drive business performance.
• Determine and implement key strategic projects that will significantly improve margin and drive business outcomes for the site.
• Manage the financial performance of the department in accordance with the planned budgets.
• Evaluate current processes, systems, and standard workflow to identify and implement process improvement opportunities utilizing organizational, analytical, Lean and Six Sigma problem solving methodologies.
• Establish a standard approach to metrics and measures to ensure optimum efficiency and effectiveness. Develop and support data visualization tools/dashboards to drive operational performance.
• Drive site Continuous Improvement culture, including ownership, communication, education, and facilitation of the site Continuous Improvement Projects (CIP) and roadmaps.
• Coordinate the access, visualization, and use of data to analyze and enable fact-based decisions to mitigate business risk and enable business performance.
• Lead, collaborates and influences both direct and indirect team members through cross-functional teams and projects.
• You may be required to work outside of your ordinary hours of work to participate in essential training, team meetings, customer events or trade shows/conferences. These events may take place on an evening and/or weekend.
• Lead, develop and manage an effective, engaged and motivated team.
• Maintain a supportive, collaborative working environment in line with Abbott core values.
• Address any conflict or potential issues sensitively and as they arise and in accordance with policies and procedures.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, business, operations or science
• Minimum 8-10 years of experience in continuous improvement project experience, preferably in dairy/food/chemical manufacturing industries
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification or Shingo Certification preferred
• Demonstrates strong judgment, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Communicates effectively (written and verbal) with strong interpersonal and consulting ability
• Well-organized and tech-savvy
• People management experience

Location

This position is based in Waikato District > Pokeno.

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.