Director, VAVE & Strategic Programs

Natus

1d•$140,000 - $155,000•Remote

About The Position

The Director, VAVE & Strategic Programs leads cross-functional initiatives focused on product cost optimisation, value engineering, supplier collaboration, and the execution of strategic operational programmes. This role serves as a key liaison between Engineering, Strategic Sourcing, Operations, and Contract Manufacturing partners to drive sustainable cost improvements, accelerate project execution, and improve overall product and supply chain performance. This leader owns the coordination and execution of complex initiatives from concept through implementation, ensuring alignment across internal stakeholders and external manufacturing partners. The ideal candidate combines strong programme leadership with commercial acumen, technical understanding, and supplier management expertise.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in strategic operations, value engineering, cost engineering or programme management— ideally within a medtech, medical device, or regulated manufacturing environment
Demonstrated track record of delivering cost reduction programmes (value engineering, COGS reduction, design-to-cost) with measurable, auditable results
Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams in a matrixed organisation — without direct authority
Strong commercial acumen: ability to build business cases, evaluate make-vs-buy decisions, and present financial impacts to senior leadership
Experience managing contract manufacturers and/or key supplier relationships, with a focus on continuous improvement and capability development
Excellent programme management skills: structured, metrics-driven, and comfortable owning multiple complex workstreams simultaneously
Strong executive communication and facilitation skills — able to translate complex operational data into clear, decision-ready insights

Responsibilities

Lead VAVE initiatives across product portfolios and manufacturing partners — owning the idea-to-implementation pipeline and ensuring projects are commercially viable, technically sound, and compliant with medtech quality standards.
Develop and manage cost reduction roadmaps aligned to business margin targets, with clear owners, timelines, and savings projections reviewed at senior leadership level on a quarterly basis.
Support make-versus-buy analyses, component standardisation, alternate sourcing strategies, and manufacturing optimisation — translating technical options into business cases with clear ROI.
Own the end-to-end execution of complex, cross-functional strategic programmes — driving accountability, timelines, risk mitigation, and implementation to successful completion.
Drive prioritisation and proactive issue resolution on delivery-impacting risks, escalating with recommended solutions rather than problems alone.
Establish and maintain governance frameworks, metrics, and tracking mechanisms across the VAVE and strategic programme portfolio — ensuring consistent executive-level reporting on status, risks, and savings realisation.
Coordinate cross-functional execution of strategic projects with contract manufacturers and key suppliers — building structured improvement engagements that generate measurable outcomes.
Evaluate supplier capabilities and lead collaborative continuous improvement initiatives, including design, material, process, and sourcing improvements.
Influence without direct authority across internal and external stakeholders to align priorities, secure resources, and drive programme momentum.
Facilitate executive-level communication and reporting on programme status, savings realisation, and strategic initiatives — producing clear, insight-led updates that enable confident decision-making.
Partner with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations to identify and implement improvements — acting as a connector across functions rather than a silo owner.
Identify and implement scalable processes that improve operational efficiency and programme execution, sharing learnings across the business.
Remain up-to-date and comply with all Quality System procedures relevant to the company and to this role, which may impact the quality of products or services provided to our customers.
Contribute to the team's success by embracing our North Star guiding principles and behaviours, actively participating in a culture that puts our Patient first. You will demonstrate exceptional teamwork, agility, accountability, and respect, cultivating an environment where collaboration and continuous improvement thrive.