Director, Continuous Improvement

B. Braun Medical Inc., a leader in infusion therapy and pain management, develops, manufactures, and markets innovative medical products and services to the healthcare industry. Key product areas include nutrition, pharmacy admixture and compounding, ostomy and wound care, and dialysis. The company is committed to eliminating preventable treatment errors and enhancing patient, clinician, and environmental safety.

About the Role

The Director, Continuous Improvement is responsible for leading and sustaining World Class Continuous Improvement strategies across corporate operations. This role serves as the enterprise change agent and champion for Operational Excellence, driving the development, implementation, and standardization of continuous improvement initiatives, including OPEX and Value Engineering. The Director establishes a common, enterprise-wide approach to improvement, ensures consistent use of tools and methodologies, and promotes the sharing of best practices across sites and functions. By defining metrics, setting goals, and prioritizing high-impact initiatives, the Director enables measurable performance improvements aligned with business objectives. This position also oversees training, develops internal capability standards, and evaluates emerging best practices to strengthen organizational effectiveness, while partnering closely with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to embed a culture of continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Directs and plans World Class Continuous Improvement activities across corporate operations.
• Supports sites in implementing OPEX.
• Implements, trains, and supports the implementation of Value Engineering.
• Ensures consistency in the use of tools and techniques by local offices and the sharing of expertise between them.
• Designs a “common approach” to the implementation of initiatives.
• Establishes, implements, and tracks metrics and goals for World Class Manufacturing.
• Identifies opportunities for continuous improvement across the organization and prioritizes projects based on functional area needs and business impact.
• Oversees training, including the coordination and scheduling of workshops.
• Establishes qualifications and requirements for internal employees.
• Researches current best practices in manufacturing support functions and evaluates their feasibility for B. Braun Medical Inc.
• Acts as the main Change Agent and Champion for corporate function areas.
• Manages the site productivity and Operational Excellence projects portfolio.
• Leads and collaborates in the design and implementation of Operational Excellence Strategies and Tactics to improve business performance in Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.
• Establishes annual cost-saving targets and reviews monthly cost-saving results with the site Finance department.
• Takes reasonable care for the safety and health of themselves and others while at work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical or scientific field of study required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of related experience, plus a minimum of 5 years of management experience required.
• Applicable industry/professional certification required.
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt preferred.
• Experience in medical device or pharma manufacturing environment.
• Occasional business travel required.
• Ability to work non-standard schedules as needed.

Skills

• Requires breadth of organizational, professional field, and industry knowledge.
• Ability to integrate critical information from several diverse areas.
• Champions advanced strategies and concepts.
• Directs the activities of a broad functional area through division heads responsible for planning, budgeting, costs, methods, and employees.
• Determines actual organizational structure and allocation of resources.
• Judgment required in resolving complex problems based on experience.
• Represents the organization as a prime contact on projects and departmental operations.
• Interacts with senior internal and external personnel on issues often requiring coordination across organizational lines.

Schedule

Standard business hours - Monday-Friday; after-hours support may be needed.

Pay

Salary range: $195,000 - $230,000.

Benefits

• Healthcare
• 401(k) plan
• Tuition reimbursement

Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to use hands to handle or feel and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.