Director OpEx - Focused Improvement Leader

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on – 28 Jan 2026

At Medtronic you can begin a life‑long career of exploration and innovation, while helping champion healthcare access and equity for all. You’ll lead with purpose, breaking down barriers to innovation in a more connected, compassionate world.

Medtronic has declared its bold ambition to become the global healthcare technology leader. By doing so, we seek to reach more patients in more meaningful ways, more quickly.

As a Director, Operational Excellence, Focused Improvement Leader, you will be a core member of the Global Operational Excellence team, where you will lead and drive execution of Operational Excellence and Focused Improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies supporting Manufacturing and Distribution Operations. You will consult on process re‑engineering, digital enablement, and continuous improvement best practices to enhance operational performance and product quality.

You will be at the forefront of Medtronic’s Mission to Alleviate Pain, Restore Health, and Extend Life by developing the skills and competencies of our teams to deliver life‑saving products.

• Drive Operational Excellence Initiatives – Lead and execute Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement projects, focusing on identifying waste, bottlenecks, and performance gaps in value streams and processes.
• Facilitate and Coach Teams – Guide cross‑functional teams in improvement efforts, aligning with business priorities and ensuring disciplined execution of improvement roadmaps, while embedding sustainable changes through standard work and visual management.
• Performance Measurement and Problem Solving – Establish performance metrics, dashboards, and targets; lead root cause analysis using structured problem‑solving methodologies (A3, DMAIC, 5 Whys, Fishbone, etc.); and track improvements for measurable results.
• Collaborate and Provide Expertise – Partner with leaders to close performance gaps, prioritize initiatives, and provide consultation in process re‑engineering, digital enablement, and continuous improvement best practices.
• Build OPEX Culture and Communicate Results – Develop team capabilities, foster engagement and inclusion, and align objectives with enterprise priorities, while communicating progress, results, and lessons learned through data‑driven updates.

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in Manufacturing, and/or operational excellence structures, or Master’s degree with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in Manufacturing, and/or operational excellence structures.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

• Proficiency in leading root cause problem‑solving using structured methodologies such as A3, DMAIC, 5 Whys, or Fishbone diagrams, with a focus on sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Demonstrated ability to establish performance baselines and targets, measure results against standards, and embed improvements through standard work and visual management techniques.
• Proven track record of partnering with functional leaders to close performance gaps by prioritizing initiatives based on impact, feasibility, and strategic alignment.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present progress, results, and lessons learned to stakeholders and leadership through clear, data‑driven updates. Experience delivering training, workshops, and coaching on Lean principles, problem‑solving, data analysis, and continuous improvement tools.
• Ability to perform cost‑benefit and ROI analyses to support investment decisions and ensure value realization from improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated commitment to driving engagement, inclusion, and talent development while aligning team objectives with site and enterprise OPEX priorities.
• Ability to travel 50–75%

Travel typically 50% to 75% but varies based on initiatives.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this…