Director, Operations (Process)

About Abbott

Abbott is a global leader in healthcare dedicated to advancing medical science to improve people's health. Our nutrition division offers scientifically developed products that support growth and wellness for all ages, including notable brands like Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, and Glucerna®, serving millions worldwide.

Working at Abbott

Joining Abbott means engaging in meaningful work with opportunities for career growth in a renowned international company. Recognized globally as a great workplace with accolades for diversity, support for working mothers, female leadership, and scientific excellence, employees enjoy a culture that values personal and professional growth.

Role Overview

The Director of Operations - Process will spearhead consistent and reliable manufacturing of over 250 SKUs, supplying customers across more than 48 countries including Pacific Asia, China, LATAM, and India. This leadership position entails comprehensive responsibility for manufacturing operations, equipment maintenance, and overall operational performance ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient production.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead dependable manufacturing operations for a diverse portfolio of nutrition products delivered internationally.
• Take full accountability for manufacturing and maintenance activities, ensuring optimal equipment and asset performance.
• Develop and implement manufacturing strategies targeting production efficiency, quality standards, cost control, and service excellence while promoting cross-functional teamwork and continuous enhancements.
• Ensure strict adherence to quality, food safety, environmental, health and safety (EHS), current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), ISO standards, and all relevant regulations.
• Adopt a global perspective in decision-making by leveraging regional and divisional engineering assets to drive operational excellence.
• Build and nurture a high-performance team supporting around-the-clock operations in manufacturing and maintenance.
• Oversee vital programs and capital projects, ensuring timely delivery, readiness for operations, and clear business benefits.
• Provide strategic leadership by translating corporate vision into actionable and prioritized manufacturing objectives.
• Collaborate closely with research & development, regulatory, quality assurance, engineering, commercial, and supply chain teams for smooth product introductions and alignment with business goals.
• Define, monitor, and drive achievement of KPIs related to production, reliability, quality, cost, and service.
• Manage budgets and operating expenses, implementing initiatives to boost productivity and cut costs through process and technological advancements.
• Lead business continuity planning and take command during production interruptions, emergencies, or critical compliance incidents.
• Champion a culture emphasizing teamwork, continuous improvement, right-first-time mindset, and quality-at-source principles.
• Ensure environmental compliance and promote EHS excellence throughout operations.
• Partner with Human Resources on staffing, recruitment, talent development, engagement, succession planning, and retention strategies.

Candidate Requirements

• Over 15 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations, including at least 10 years managing process-focused teams.
• Thorough knowledge and practical experience with Good Manufacturing Practices and Environmental Health and Safety standards, including active involvement in internal and external audits.
• Superior communication skills, both oral and written, coupled with strong interpersonal abilities to engage stakeholders at all levels, supported by excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead, motivate, and develop teams, with expertise in identifying quality issues and resolving them using CAPA and structured methodologies.
• Strong business acumen with a clear customer-centric approach.
• Effective organizational skills including problem-solving, workload management, resource planning, and prioritization.
• A passion for driving innovation to enhance reliability, efficiency, and overall manufacturing performance.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, or a related field.