Associate Director, Operations Excellence

Job Description Summary

The Associate Director, Operations Excellence (OpEx) is a strategic and ISC LT member leader responsible for developing, governing, and accelerating the ISC Continuous Improvement (CI) strategy across the global manufacturing network. This role provides functional leadership, coaching, and oversight to CI leaders embedded within each plant (dotted-line), ensuring alignment, standardization, measurable, and sustained improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.

The Associate Director partners closely with Plant Managers, Operations Directors, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, GP Task Force, and Finance to drive a culture of operational excellence and sustain CI as a core business capability.

Job Description

We are the makers of possible

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

We believe that the human element, across our global teams, is what allows us to continually evolve. Join us and discover an environment in which you’ll be supported to learn, grow and become your best self. Become a maker of possible with us.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Develop, deploy, and continuously refine the DS ISC OpEx strategy, roadmap, and annual objectives in alignment with ISC priorities.
• Establish CI standards, methodologies, and best practices (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, Problem-Solving, Value Stream Management).
• Govern plant CI maturity, ensuring consistent application of tools, frameworks, and performance expectations across the network.
• Oversee and challenge CI project selection to ensure alignment with business priorities and financial benefit targets.
  
  

Network CI Leadership

• Provide dotted-line leadership, coaching, and performance guidance to CI Managers/Leaders at each manufacturing site.
• Facilitate a strong CI community of practice, driving alignment, knowledge sharing, and cross-site collaboration.
• Support Plant Managers and regional Ops leaders in developing site-level CI strategies, annual improvement plans, and KPI targets.
• Conduct site assessments (Gemba evaluations, maturity assessments) and provide actionable feedback to improve performance.
  
  

Operational Execution

• Lead enterprise-wide CI initiatives that impact multiple plants, including productivity programs, waste elimination, flow optimization, and digital enablement.
• Serve as the primary CI subject matter expert to functional leaders in Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, HR (training), and EHS.
• Partner with Finance to validate project results, savings, and productivity impacts.
• Support deployment of tiered accountability systems, CI training programs, and certification pathways (Lean/Six Sigma).
  
  

Culture & Capability Building

• Build CI capabilities across all levels of the organization—from frontline associates to senior leaders.
• Enable and coach leaders in behaviors that reinforce a continuous improvement mindset.
• Support change-management efforts to ensure CI initiatives are adopted, sustained, and integrated into daily operations.
  
  

Metrics & Performance Management

• Establish and maintain enterprise CI dashboards and KPIs (productivity, OEE, labor efficiency, scrap, service/delivery, etc.).
• Track and report progress of major CI initiatives, ensuring transparency to the VP ISC and executive leadership.
• Drive accountability for results at both the plant and enterprise level.
  
  

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field required.
• Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
  
  

Experience

• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, or supply chain roles.
• Proven track record leading CI/Lean transformations in a multi-site environment.
• Experience influencing without authority and leading dotted-line teams.
• Strong experience with Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, and structured problem-solving (A3, DMAIC).
• Experience in regulated manufacturing (medical device, pharma, food, industrial) preferred.
  
  

Certifications

• Lean/CI certification required.
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt preferred.
  
  

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and coaching capability.
• Ability to influence cross-functionally and drive change at all levels.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Data-driven decision-making with strong analytical capability.
• Ability to manage complex initiatives and balance enterprise vs. site-level priorities.
  
  

Travel

• Up to 40–60% travel to manufacturing sites as needed.
  
  

At BD, we prioritize on-site collaboration because we believe it fosters creativity, innovation, and effective problem-solving, which are essential in the fast-paced healthcare industry. For most roles, we require a minimum of 4 days of in-office presence per week to maintain our culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations, while also recognizing the importance of flexibility and work-life balance. Remote or field-based positions will have different workplace arrangements which will be indicated in the job posting.

For certain roles at BD, employment is contingent upon the Company’s receipt of sufficient proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In some locations, testing for COVID-19 may be available and/or required. Consistent with BD’s Workplace Accommodations Policy, requests for accommodation will be considered pursuant to applicable law.

Why Join Us?

A career at BD means being part of a team that values your opinions and contributions and that encourages you to bring your authentic self to work. It’s also a place where we help each other be great, we do what’s right, we hold each other accountable, and learn and improve every day.

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of health. At BD, you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow, and thrive. And find satisfaction in doing your part to make the world a better place.

To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers

Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally-protected characteristics.

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Required Skills

Optional Skills

Primary Work Location

USA MD - Sparks - 7 Loveton Circle

Additional Locations

CAN Québec - Boulevard du Parc Technologique

Work Shift

NA (United States of America)

At BD, we are strongly committed to investing in our associates—their well-being and development, and in providing rewards and recognition opportunities that promote a performance-based culture. We demonstrate this commitment by offering a valuable, competitive package of compensation and benefits programs which you can learn more about on our Careers Site under Our Commitment to You.

Salary or hourly rate ranges have been implemented to reward associates fairly and competitively, as well as to support recognition of associates’ progress, ranging from entry level to experts in their field, and talent mobility. There are many factors, such as location, that contribute to the range displayed. The salary or hourly rate offered to a successful candidate is based on experience, education, skills, and any step rate pay system of the actual work location, as applicable to the role or position. Salary or hourly pay ranges may vary for Field-based and Remote roles.

Salary Range Information

137 100,00 $ - 226 300,00 $ USD Annual