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 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Job Title

Operational Excellence (OpEx) Specialist

Working at Abbott 

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to: 

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of. 
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year. 
• An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution 
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree. 
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.  
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.  

The Opportunity  

This position works out of our Sturgis, MI location in the Abbott Nutrition division. Our Nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, and Glucerna® – to help them get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest lives. 

For over 70 years, Abbott’s Sturgis, Mich., has been impacting its community while producing products that provide essential nutrition to millions of families around the world. Working here, you’ll feel part of a family that is dedicated to making a difference and helping others. 

What You'll Work On

• Active support of the OpEx strategy in the plant
• Assist leadership in the identification of improvement projects to include cost reduction, cycle time reduction and waste elimination.
• Lead and execute process improvement projects using OpEx / lean tools and techniques.
• Define OpEx goals, project plans and coordinate project teams, ensuring that projects are integrated with business strategies.
• Assist in the technical deployment of OpEx.
• Assist the organization in the knowledge and understanding of metrics and measurements which impact the total performance of the plant.
• Perform statistical analyses
• Complete value stream mapping and process optimization studies.
• Drive visual management and data understanding throughout the plant.
• Influence and motivate employees to identify opportunities to apply lean techniques, tools and philosophies to include standard work, root cause analysis, 5S, and visual management control.
• Act as a change agent and help team members learn, understand, adjust and grow within a continuous improvement culture.
• Communicate OpEx briefings to senior leadership teams.
• Drive benchmarking and sharing of best practices internally and with other Abbott locations worldwide.
• Incorporate OpEx practices into systems, processes, and protocols.
• Deliver training on lean tools and OpEx initiatives.
• Coach and support Green Belt candidates on proper use of tools and improvement processes.
• Ensure project metrics and timelines are reported via appropriate systems in a timely manner
• Partner with other functions within Abbott Nutrition to maximize opportunities for improvements and to build a sustainable OpEx program across the Supply Chain.
• Identify, collect, monitor and report critical OpEx metrics as required.

You’ll be accountable for meeting our compliance standards including FDA, OSHA and Abbott policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma / GED
• 2-5 years demonstrated success in applying continuous improvement / lean / Six Sigma tools
• 2-5 years of experience in manufacturing operations, business improvement 
• Change Management experience
• Project management and team leadership experience essential
• Demonstrated performance in delivering results
• Exceptional analytical skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal and group facilitation skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Certification or equivalent working knowledge of improvement tools and methodologies

Preferred Qualifications

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt Certification
• Industrial Engineering experience
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business, Operations, Science

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Pre-Employment Inquiries and Citizenship | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov) 

Apply Now 

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:  www.abbottbenefits.com  

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity and Military/Veteran friendly Employer, committed to employee diversity. 

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott, and on Twitter @AbbottNews. 

The base pay for this position is $78,000.00 – $156,000.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.