Associate Director, Operations

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. 

This is where you safeguard and preserve lives.

At Baxter, our mission brings us together. Whatever your role at Baxter, your contributions positively influence lives across the globe. You’ll sense a shared purpose throughout the organization, knowing that our work advances outcomes for millions of patients.

You'll coordinate manufacturing operations and all related processes. It covers transformation, optimization, process controls, and equipment maintenance. The role follows manufacturing and quality regulations closely. It acts as the main contact for the operation and leads the departments of Manufacturing, Machine Maintenance, and Processes Engineering. These include plastics raw materials, sub-assemblies, finished products, packaging, automated machines, process improvements, and various projects. You will also serve as the plant manager’s delegate when needed. The goal is to ensure customer happiness through quality manufacturing, excellent service, and low operating costs.

What you’ll be doing!

• Ensure the improvement of production systems, methods, and processes to reduce costs operations and generate added customer value to the product.
• Ensure that builds run under control and constant process improvement are pursued by assuring through accurate structure, constant data collection, and analysis. Review on a weekly basis the “Process Product Data Collection” information and suggest actions towards process improvements.
• Manage product and process engineers while they identify, develop, and apply preventive and corrective measures. This responsibility includes reviewing quality and manufacturing defects (DPM) as well as operational data like waste and efficiency. Confirm that process monitoring activities (Service Level, Waste-Scrap, Efficiency, Defects, labor hours, and Downtime, 6S, among others) are performed and initiate process improvement projects informed by these data points. Coordinate with departments to secure compliance with indicators and appropriate performance to centralize most operational functions.
• Maintain a good level of performance indicators in accordance with established goals. Lead and complete high impact process or product validations using local resources with coordination with different departments (Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, etc.).
• Perform standard cost revision, quotation process, as required and support launch of new products.
• Supervise and coordinate activities related to extrusion, sub-assemblies, and finished goods, ensuring efficient use of resources across all shifts.
• Advance situations impacting personnel, products, or processes in a timely manner. Coordinate the Maintenance Area, ensuring accurate prioritization for daily operation and keeping critical metrics in line with Plant Goals.
• Implement and maintain effective preventive and corrective maintenance procedures. Ensure conformance to regulatory, financial, security, and other relevant standards in manufacturing and maintenance processes.
• Coordinate department personnel through different levels of supervisors to promote a good work environment and associate happiness.
• Participate in budget preparation and control execution based on production forecasts and future projects.
• Evaluate the financial and qualitative gains connected to proposed or ongoing projects. Maintain alignment with quality, regulatory, EHS, HR, and Finance standards, and act to mitigate and effectively resolve nonconformities.
• Manage talent by identifying the accurate organizational structure, roles, and responsibilities to achieve objectives, measuring performance, and establishing development and succession plans.
• Contribute to and take part in the implementation of Corporate and Plant programs, special projects, and assignments as requested by plant manager.
• Actively participate in all people-related activities such as organizational inventory, talent review, and EHS activities to ensure a safe and best place to work.

What you’ll bring!

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Automation / Electrical / Electronic / Mechatronic / BSEE BSME) or related field and 20+ years related experience.
• BS, BBA, BSIE or MMA or equivalent experience preferable.
• More than 15 years of leadership experience covering all facets of the manufacturing process in medical devices production, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or a related setting.
• Excellent interpersonal relations skills.
• Knowledge of GMP-QSR’s, OSHA, BHEST, SPEC, SOP, and HR policies.
• Significant knowledge and practical experience with Business Excellence models and lean enterprise principles.
• Availability to travel as required.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish).

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.

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