Operational Excellence Specialist

Job description

     

JOB DESCRIPTION:

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 107,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Abbott serves the Irish market with a diverse range of healthcare products including diagnostics, medical devices and nutritionals products. In Ireland, Abbott employs over 4,000 people across nine sites. We have six manufacturing facilities located in Clonmel, Cootehill, Donegal, Longford and Sligo and a third-party manufacturing management operation in Sligo. Abbott has commercial, support operations and shared services in Dublin and Galway. We have been operating in Ireland since 1946.

Abbott Ireland Nutrition Sligo

We understand that proper nutrition is the foundation for living the best life possible. That’s why we develop science-based nutrition products for people of all ages. Our products help babies and children grow, keep bodies strong and active, and support the unique nutrition needs of people with chronic illnesses — to make every stage of life a healthy one.

Abbott is a leader in providing enteral nutrition feeding devices, including enteral feeding pumps and pump sets. Enteral feeding (also known as tube feeding) is a means of providing nutrition to people who cannot obtain nutrition by swallowing. Enteral nutrition contains all the calories and vitamins a person needs.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The Operational Excellence Specialist primary responsibilities will include:

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Developing, implementing, and maintaining components of an Operational Excellence (OpEx) program. 

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The program utilizes methodologies and tools such as Lean Six Sigma, value stream mapping, visual management, and change management to drive continuous improvement and create a lean culture.

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This role provides technical leadership for the deployment of OpEx.

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The incumbent will also be responsible to lead and execute Lean Six Sigma projects within the business unit and effectively coordinate these projects with the functional champion and other project improvement teams.

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Project leadership includes identifying opportunities, coaching sponsors in the writing of effective project charters, financially justifying projects, launching project teams, using project management to manage team activities, leading teams to execute projects with the problem solving methodology, tracking project status and results, removing and elevating project barriers, and developing team members.

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It is also critical to identify integration issues with other projects/processes and coordinate the improvements with the appropriate project/process owners to accomplish the project goals.

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The role will also include effectively and efficiently managing the Project Management Office (PMO) to ensure timely delivery of site projects and programs required to enable the site to achieve its business commitments. It will involve working collaboratively with site project managers & CFTs to develop project plans, establish timelines and utilise the required project management tools.

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PMO will also monitor project performance and communicate portfolio status to management.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

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Active support of the OpEx strategy in the plant

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Assist leadership in the identification of improvement projects to include cost reduction, cycle time reduction and waste elimination.

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Lead & execute process improvement projects and Kazien events using OpEx / lean tools and techniques.

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Drive visual management and data understanding throughout the plant.

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Influence and motivate employees to identify opportunities to apply lean techniques, tools and philosophies including standard work, root cause analysis, 6S, and visual management control.

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Define OpEx goals, project plans and coordinate project teams, ensuring that projects are integrated with business strategies.

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 Assist in the technical deployment of OpEx

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 Assist the organization in the knowledge and understanding of metrics and measurements which impact the total performance of the plant.

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Complete value stream mapping and process optimization studies.

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Act as a change agent and help team members learn, understand, adjust and grow within a continuous improvement culture.

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Communicate OpEx briefings to senior leadership teams.

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Drive benchmarking and sharing of best practices internally and with other Abbott locations worldwide.

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Incorporate OpEx practices into systems, processes, and protocols.

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Deliver training on lean tools and OpEx initiatives.

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Coach and support Yellow/Green Belt candidates on proper use of tools and improvement processes.

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Partner with other functions within Abbott Nutrition to maximize opportunities for improvements and to build a sustainable OpEx program across the Supply Chain.

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Identify, collect, monitor and report critical OpEx metrics as required.

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Effectively and efficiently manage & coordinate the site PMO. Ensure effective, clear, and timely communication to the management team.

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Facilitate the delivery of projects as per agreed milestones, through the provision of training, direction, tools and techniques to the site project leaders.

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Evaluate impact of project changes and adjust implementation activities with required contingency plans.

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Identify and communicate any PMO related issues to Site Management and develop contingencies.

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Deliver agreed project milestones for projects where assigned as project leader.

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Devise and communicate PMO metrics. Maintain PMO visual boards.

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Educate the site wide workforce on PMO objectives, approach and capabilities

EDUCATION & COMPETENCIES:

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Bachelor’s Degree: Engineering, Business, Operations, Science preferred; Certification or equivalent working knowledge of improvement tools and methodologies and/or project management

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2-5 years demonstrated success in applying continuous improvement / lean / Six Sigma tools

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2-5 years of experience in manufacturing operations, business improvement 

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Change Management experience

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Project management and team leadership experience essential

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Demonstrated performance in delivering results

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Exceptional analytical skills

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Highly motivated process thinker that drives customer focused solutions

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Excellent oral and written communication skills

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Excellent interpersonal and group facilitation skills.

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Excellent computer skills

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Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt Certification preferred

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Industrial Engineering experience a plus.

Visit Abbott at https://www.ie.abbott/ and connect with us on Twitter at @AbbottNews.

Connect with us at  www.abbott.com , on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/ , on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/Abbott  and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

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JOB FAMILY:

Manufacturing

     

DIVISION:

ANSC Nutrition Supply Chain

        

LOCATION:

Ireland > Finisklin : Carbury Point, Finisklin Industrial & Technology Park, Sligo

     

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

     

WORK SHIFT:

Ie - Shftpre0 (Ireland)

     

TRAVEL:

Yes, 10 % of the Time

     

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:

Yes

     

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:

Not Applicable