Position Summary:
The Senior Director, Global Operations Improvement reports to the Corporate Vice
President, Global Operations and is accountable for driving priority
improvements across Operations through implementation and measurable, sustained
results. The role works directly with plants and functions to identify and solve
performance gaps, improve processes, and drive measurable improvements in
quality, service, cost, and operational performance.
The role leads the Operations improvement organization, including Operational
Excellence (OpEx) and Operations Systems teams. Managers within these areas lead
the day-to-day teams, including plant-based resources that report through this
organization with a dotted-line relationship to plant leadership. The
organization works with plant and functional teams to identify root causes,
implement solutions, improve processes and systems, and make sure improvements
are documented and sustained.
The role builds on the OpEx capabilities already established within
Manufacturing while expanding the focus across Operations. Plant and functional
leaders continue to own their performance, while this role is accountable for
driving agreed priority improvements and aligning improvement resources to the
areas where they can have the greatest impact.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Drive Operations Improvement
Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities based on company priorities
and Operations performance gaps.
Work directly with plants and functions to understand problems, identify root
causes, and drive practical solutions through implementation and measurable
results.
Bring together and deploy the right improvement, plant, functional,
technical, and systems resources to solve priority problems.
Lead larger improvements that cross plants, functions, or regions and
proactively identify areas where additional improvement focus is needed.
Establish common processes and standards where needed and make sure
improvements are implemented, documented, measured, sustained, and replicated
where applicable.
Operational Excellence & Improvement Capability
Lead OpEx and Operations Systems, including plant-based resources, while
maintaining a strong dotted-line connection with the plant leaders they
support.
Build on the existing Manufacturing OpEx model, including structured problem
solving, assessments and gap closure, common methods and standards, training,
and coaching, with a focus on translating these capabilities into measurable
operating improvements.
Align improvement resources to company and Operations priorities while
balancing the ongoing improvement needs of the plants and functions.
Build improvement and problem-solving capability across Operations through
practical methods, training, coaching, and hands-on support.
Share and scale successful improvements, documented standards, and lessons
learned across plants and functions.
Operations Systems
Lead Operations Systems and align system priorities with Operations and
process improvement needs.
Serve as the Operations bridge with IT, translating business and process
needs into clear system requirements and solutions.
Drive system enhancements, integration, automation, and technology that
simplify processes and improve operational performance.
Make sure system and technology changes support simplified, standardized, and
improved processes.
Partner with IT and Operations teams through implementation and adoption and
make sure system improvements deliver the expected results.
Knowledge, Skills & Qualifications:
Strong Operations background with a track record of driving meaningful
improvements and sustained results.
Experience leading complex improvement efforts across multiple plants,
functions, or regions.
Strong understanding of structured problem solving and improvement methods,
including Lean, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or similar approaches.
Experience using systems, automation, and technology to improve processes and
performance.
Strong leadership, problem-solving, communication, and ability to influence
across functions.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
12+ years of progressive Operations, process improvement, or related
experience, including leadership responsibility.
Experience leading teams and significant cross-functional improvement efforts
across multiple sites or functions.
Medical device, pharmaceutical, or another regulated manufacturing industry
experience preferred.
Lean/Six Sigma or equivalent certification preferred.
Typically requires approximately 20%+ travel.
ICU Medical has consistently provided you with clinical innovations that help
solve real-world challenges.
With the acquisition of Hospira Infusion Systems in 2017 and Smiths Medical in
2022, we are now a global market leader with a complete line of
clinically-essential IV therapy and high-value critical care products for
hospital, alternate site, and home care settings.
We're ready to bring you consistent quality, innovation, and value in more areas
than ever. Our focus allows us to bring you:
Dedicated and non-dedicated IV sets and needlefree connectors clinically
proven to provide an effective barrier against bacterial transfer and
colonization.
The industry’s broadest IV smart pump offering covering large volume, pain
management, and ambulatory needs.
IV medication safety software providing full IV-EHR interoperability with the
highest customer satisfaction and compatibility with more EHR systems than
any other company.
Significant US IV solutions manufacturing and supply capabilities.
This role is based remotely; the incumbent may be remote in any state other than
Colorado; California; Connecticut; Montana, Maine or New York.
ICU Medical EEO Statement:
ICU Medical is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We ensure that
all qualified applicants receive fair consideration for employment regardless of
race, color, nationality or national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender, religion or
belief, marital or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or
maternity, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to
participate in the employment selection process, please contact us at
humanresources@icumed.com. We are committed to providing equal access and
opportunities for all candidates.
ICU Medical EEO Policy Statement
[https://www.icumed.com/media/lwkcbbam/icu-medical-eeo-policy-statement-2025.pdf]
Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Poster
[https://www.icumed.com/media/0mrnh211/know_your_right_2023-2.pdf]
ICU Medical CCPA Notice to Job Applicants
[https://www.icumed.com/media/1qwexl5a/icu-medical-job-applicant-privacy-notice-october-2024.pdf]