Director, WCH Business Excellence

Role Summary

Director, WCH Business Excellence is responsible for leading Lean and Six Sigma-driven continuous improvement across the Wound Closure (WCH) business, supervising regional Business Excellence leaders, and partnering with functions such as Finance, Operations, GTO, and Quality to drive cost, quality, and delivery improvements. The role reports to the VP, WCH Supply Chain and is a member of the WCH E2E Supply Chain Leadership Team.

Primary focus includes developing and deploying a network-wide lean strategy and delivering the Cost Improvement Program (CIP) in collaboration with GTO, Make, VSLs, and Quality.

• The position directly supervises the six Business Excellence Senior Managers of the Wound Closure sites in the Americas and Europe, and provides direction to the Asia Pacific Business Excellence leaders.
• Reports to the VP, WCH Supply Chain and is a member of the WCH E2E Supply Chain Leadership Team.
• Host, lead and/or support the Strategic Business Cycle (LRFP, BP, JU, NU) in partnership with Finance.
• Collaborate with operations, finance, GTO and quality to align, plan, and realize continuous improvement activities.
• Develop, own, and implement a network-wide lean strategy focused on waste elimination and continuous improvement.
• Own the development and deployment of Lean and Six Sigma training for both Wage and Salary staff.
• Lead, develop, and implement process improvements and key business initiatives for the WCH business.
• Identify opportunities with plant and functional leaders to improve process quality, delivery, and cost performance.
• Drive the Cost Improvement Program (CIP) in partnership with GTO, Make, VSLs and Quality.
• Partner with Finance, IT and Make to advance data and digital strategy.

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field is required;
  Advanced degree (MA, MS, MBA) preferred.

Required:
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in Med Tech.
• Knowledge of Process Excellence/Six Sigma tools and methodologies.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing.
• Experience with pFMEAs and/or dFMEAs.
• Experience in highly regulated environments (e.g., FDA, ISO).
• Strong project management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Strong decision making, problem solving, interpersonal and influencing abilities.
• Ability to collaborate with all levels of management in a matrix environment.

• Experience in developing and executing change management plans.
• Experience with SPC, process characterization, ANOVA, DOEs and hypothesis testing.
• Experience leading a team of engineers/technicians.
• Process Excellence/Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt.
• Experience with DMAIIC/DMADV methodology; training experience is a plus.

• English fluency is required.
• Up to 30% domestic and international travel may be required.