Associate Director, Baxter GPS Operational Excellence

Baxter•Deerfield, NY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Baxter GPS Operational Excellence leads complex, enterprise-level improvement projects across business units and corporate functions. The role applies Kaizen methodology, Lean principles, and Six Sigma tools to simplify end-to-end value streams, eliminate waste and complexity, solve high-impact business problems, accelerate growth, strengthen customer outcomes, and deliver measurable operational and financial results. The Black Belt partners with business-unit and functional leaders to align stakeholders, implement solutions, and sustain improvements across organizational boundaries. The role may be based in Deerfield, Illinois; St. Paul, Minnesota; Bellevue, Washington; Skaneateles, New York; or Raleigh, North Carolina. It follows a hybrid work model with regular in-office presence at the selected Baxter location and approximately 50% travel to Baxter sites and business locations. Success includes delivering sustained improvements across business units and functions, simplifying value streams, shortening lead times, reducing handoffs and non-value-added steps, and delivering verified financial and operational benefits. The role also contributes to customer and commercial outcomes, adoption of new ways of working, and greater Kaizen and problem-solving capability across the organization.

Requirements

Approximately 15 or more years of relevant experience.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, business, supply chain, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience leading Kaizen events and end-to-end value-stream simplification projects with measurable outcomes.
Strong proficiency in statistical analysis, root cause analysis, process mapping, and change management.
Ability to influence stakeholders and lead teams without direct authority.
Clear written and verbal communication skills.
Flexibility to travel based on business needs, potentially up to 50%.
Authorization to work for any U.S. employer; visa sponsorship or transfer is not available.

Nice To Haves

Current Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification is preferred.
Experience leading enterprise or multi-business-unit transformation initiatives in a complex, matrixed organization.
Broad business experience across functions such as Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, Commercial, Quality, Engineering, or shared services.
Experience in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, or another regulated industry.
Experience coaching Green Belts and building continuous improvement capability.
Familiarity with operational, financial, commercial, and customer performance measures, including quality, yield, cycle time, productivity, inventory, cost, revenue, and service.

Responsibilities

Lead high-impact projects and Kaizen events across business units and functions, from problem definition through rapid implementation and sustained performance, using Kaizen, DMAIC, and other appropriate improvement methods.
Map, simplify, and improve end-to-end value streams across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Finance, Commercial, Quality, Engineering, and other enabling functions by removing handoffs, duplication, delays, rework, and non-value-added steps.
Analyze operational, financial, customer, and commercial data to identify root causes, variation, waste, growth opportunities, and performance gaps.
Plan and facilitate Kaizen events, value-stream mapping, process-simplification workshops, and structured problem-solving sessions with senior leaders, functional experts, and frontline teams.
Develop business cases, project charters, implementation plans, performance measures, and control plans; validate operational and financial results with Finance and process owners.
Align sponsors and stakeholders across business units and functions, resolve competing priorities, and drive decisions needed to advance enterprise initiatives.
Train and coach business leaders, Lean leaders, and project teams in Kaizen, Lean Six Sigma, change leadership, and practical problem-solving; mentor them in leading improvement events and sustaining results.
Partner with business-unit and functional leaders to embed Baxter GPS principles, behaviors, improvement methods, management routines, and standard work into operations.
Communicate project progress, interdependencies, risks, decisions, and results to executive sponsors and senior leaders.
Ensure changes support applicable quality, safety, financial-control, privacy, and regulatory requirements.

Benefits

Medical and dental coverage starting on day one.
Basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with the ability to purchase company stock at a discount.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with employee contributions and company matching.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Educational assistance programs.
Paid holidays and paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service.
Family and medical leaves of absence and paid parental leave.
Commuting benefits.
Employee Discount Program.
Employee Assistance Program.
Childcare benefits.
Discretionary bonuses.