Sr Specialist, Operational Excellence

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 The Operational Excellence Senior Specialist is responsible for leading and implementing continuous improvement initiatives across Baxter’s operations. This role involves analyzing processes, identifying areas for improvement, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance efficiency, quality, and overall performance. The Operational Excellence Senior Specialist will play a critical role in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence within the organization. What we offer from Day One Medical, Dental and Vision coverage 160 hours of Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays 401K match Employee Stock Purchase Program Paid Parental Leave Tuition Reimbursement What you'll be doing: Continuous Improvement Strategy Development: Develop and implement a comprehensive continuous improvement strategy that aligns with Baxter’s business objectives and operational goals. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of continuous improvement initiatives. Process Analysis and Improvement: Conduct thorough analyses of existing processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement. Utilize methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen to design and implement process improvements that enhance productivity and quality. Project Management: Lead continuous improvement projects from initiation to completion, ensuring that they are delivered on time and within budget. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define project scope, objectives, and deliverables. Training and Development: Provide training and support to employees on continuous improvement methodologies and tools. Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging employee engagement and participation in improvement initiatives. Collaboration and Communication: Work closely with various departments, including operations, quality assurance, and supply chain, to ensure alignment on continuous improvement efforts. Communicate effectively with stakeholders to provide updates on project progress, results, and recommendations. Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of continuous improvement activities, including project documentation, process maps, and performance metrics. Prepare and present reports to management, highlighting achievements, challenges, and opportunities for further improvement. Sustainability of Improvements: Develop and implement systems to sustain improvements over time, ensuring that changes are integrated into standard operating procedures. Monitor the effectiveness of implemented changes and make adjustments as necessary to achieve desired outcomes. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that all continuous improvement initiatives comply with relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards. Collaborate with quality assurance teams to maintain compliance and address any quality-related issues. Safety Compliance: Proactively contributes to zero harm in the workplace for all employees by complying with legal and corporate (EHS) Environmental Health & Safety requirements, safe work practices, and EHS policies and procedures consistently. Report all hazards, near misses and incidents as soon as practicable and participate in identifying actions to prevent harm from occurring to our people and/or our environment. Employees at every level are responsible for quality (GMP) Good Manufacturing Processes and regulatory performance in the department to ensure quality program is met. Ensure compliance with FDA, ISO and other government regulations, legal documents and safety and ethical standards, obtaining legal compliance training. What you'll bring: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field. A Master’s degree or relevant certifications 5+ years of experience in continuous improvement, operations management, or process engineering, preferably within the healthcare or medical device industry. Proven experience leading continuous improvement projects and initiatives. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex processes and develop effective solutions. Proficiency in continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) and tools (e.g., process mapping, statistical analysis). Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. As an Sr. Operational Excellence Specialist in a medical equipment manufacturing plant, the role primarily involves office-based tasks, but there are specific physical demands and work environment considerations to keep in mind. Here are the key aspects: Physical Demands: Office Work : · The position primarily involves desk work, including using computers for data analysis, documentation, and communication. · Extended periods of sitting may be required, along with repetitive motions such as typing and using a mouse. Meetings and Presentations : · This role may require participation in meetings, presentations, and discussions with cross-functional teams, which may involve standing or moving around during presentations. Field Engagement : · Occasional travel may be required for site visits to manufacturing facilities, training sessions, or industry events. This could involve walking through production areas and interacting with various teams. Visual Acuity : · Good visual acuity is necessary for reading reports, analyzing data, and reviewing process documentation and compliance materials. Problem-Solving : · The role may require physical manipulation of materials during presentations or demonstrations, necessitating good hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Work Environment Office Setting : · The Senior Operational Excellence Specialist typically works in a corporate office environment, which is generally climate-controlled and designed for professional work. · The workspace may include cubicles or open-minded layouts, with access to meeting rooms and collaborative spaces. Manufacturing Environment : · The role may involve working in a manufacturing facility, which may include exposure to various manufacturing processes and equipment. · The environment is generally designed to meet specific regulatory standards, ensuring safety and compliance. Cross-Functional Collaboration : · The position involves significant collaboration with cross-functional teams, including operations, quality assurance, engineering, and supply chain. This fosters a dynamic work environment where teamwork and communication are essential. Technology Utilization : · The work environment is equipped with modern technology, including computers, data analysis software, and communication tools, to facilitate efficient continuous improvement activities. Company Culture : · Baxter promotes a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Employees are encouraged to engage in professional development and contribute to the company's mission of advancing healthcare. Health and Safety : · The company adheres to health and safety regulations to ensure a safe working environment for all employees. This includes ergonomic assessments and resources to promote employee well-being. The above description outlines the primary responsibilities of the role but does not preclude the assignment of additional tasks as needed. Previous iterations of this job description are incorporated and may be assigned based on operational requirements. Any such inclusions will align with the established factor of degrees for this position. We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. At Baxter, we are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices. The estimated base salary for this position is $80,000 - $110,000 annually. The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position. We may pay more or less than of the anticipated range based upon market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience, and other relevant factors. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses. For questions about this, our pay philosophy, and available benefits, please speak to the recruiter if you decide to apply and are selected for an interview. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. US Benefits at Baxter (except for Puerto Rico) This is where your well-being matters. Baxter offers comprehensive compensation and benefits packages for eligible roles. Our health and well-being benefits include medical and dental coverage that start on day one, as well as insurance coverage for basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance. Financial and retirement benefits include the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), with the ability to purchase company stock at a discount, and the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), with options for employee contributions and company matching. We also offer Flexible Spending Accounts, educational assistance programs, and time-off benefits such as paid holidays, paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service, family and medical leaves of absence, and paid parental leave. Additional benefits include commuting benefits, the Employee Discount Program, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and childcare benefits. Join us and enjoy the competitive compensation and benefits we offer to our employees. For additional information regarding Baxter US Benefits, please speak with your recruiter or visit our Benefits site: Benefits | Baxter 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. Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal 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 .