Director, Manufacturing Strategy

Job description

This is where your work makes a difference. At Baxter, we believe every person—regardless of who they are or where they are from—deserves a chance to live a healthy life. It was our founding belief in 1931 and continues to be our guiding principle. We are redefining healthcare delivery to make a greater impact today, tomorrow, and beyond. Our Baxter colleagues are united by our Mission to Save and Sustain Lives. Together, our community is driven by a culture of courage, trust, and collaboration. Every individual is empowered to take ownership and make a meaningful impact. We strive for efficient and effective operations, and we hold each other accountable for delivering exceptional results. Here, you will find more than just a job—you will find purpose and pride. Your role at Baxter In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the global manufacturing network is positioned to be a source of competitive advantage, capable of delivering long-term performance needed by the divisions. You'll facilitate the manufacturing strategic planning process and projects, including annual strategy review, in-depth review of key strategic issues and investment prioritization. You'll work with cross-functional teams to ensure the best use of organizational resources in defining and planning goals, objectives and programs to achieve the strategic plan and to achieve growth and profitability, including support of network optimization, localization, capacity assessment, insourcing opportunities, and New Product Introductions. What you'll be doing Lead Business Manufacturing Network Strategy - own and evolve the end-to-end manufacturing network strategy aligned with the business priorities, ensuring delivery of long-term growth, performance and strategic objectives. Drive Capital Planning & Investment Prioritization - Oversee manufacturing investment strategy, including capital allocation, facility lifecycle planning, and cross-division trade-offs to ensure optimal deployment of resources. Enable Capacity Planning & Network Optimization - Lead long-range capacity planning, identify constraints, and implement strategies (including insourcing/outsourcing decisions) to support new product launches and ongoing business needs. Lead Strategic Initiatives & Network Transformation - Drive major network changes such as plant rationalizations, tariff mitigation, and large-scale transformation initiatives, while advancing breakthrough improvements in operating models. Embed Risk, Resiliency & Strategic Planning Integration - Ensure network strategies incorporate risk and resiliency planning, align with annual and long-range strategic planning processes, and support profit maintenance and continuous improvement efforts. What you'll bring Bachelor's degree in Science, Engineering or a related discipline, with 10+ years relevant business experience, including exposure to global l device manufacturing environments. Proven experience leading teams with the ability to influence, develop talent, and drive alignment across functions and levels. Deep understanding of manufacturing plant operations, including Lean principles and Operational Excellence, with hands-on or leadership experience in a plant environment. Strong grasp of plant economics, including costing, capital models, P&L management, broader business unit financials, capable of relating operations to financial outcomes. Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, understand end-to-end supply chain interdependencies (planning, procurement, operations, fulfillment), and communicate effectively to drive decisions in a dynamic, competitive marketplace. Location The role may be based at Baxter's Heredia, Costa Rica facility or performed remotely from anywhere within Latin America. Baxter is committed to supporting flexibility in the workplace while fostering collaboration and connection in support of our Mission. Equal Employment Opportunity Baxter is an equal opportunity employer. Baxter evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability/handicap status or any other legally protected characteristic. Reasonable Accommodations Baxter is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please click on the link here and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information. Recruitment Fraud Notice Baxter has discovered incidents of employment scams, where fraudulent parties pose as Baxter employees, recruiters, or other agents, and engage with online job seekers in an attempt to steal personal and/or financial information. To learn how you can protect yourself, review our Recruitment Fraud Notice .