Sr Director, External Manufacturing & Strategic Procurement

Baxter • Deerfield, IL

7d • Onsite

About The Position

This is where your work makes a difference. At Baxter, we believe every person—regardless of who they are or where they are from—deserves a chance to live a healthy life. It was our founding belief in 1931 and continues to be our guiding principle. We are redefining healthcare delivery to make a greater impact today, tomorrow, and beyond. Our Baxter colleagues are united by our Mission to Save and Sustain Lives. Together, our community is driven by a culture of courage, trust, and collaboration. Every individual is empowered to take ownership and make a meaningful impact. We strive for efficient and effective operations, and we hold each other accountable for delivering exceptional results. Here, you will find more than just a job—you will find purpose and pride. Your role at Baxter As the Sr Director, External Manufacturing & Strategic Procurement, you have the chance to create a significant impact on our global operations! This senior leadership position involves defining and delivering Baxter's global strategy for strategic sourcing, supplier partnerships, and outsourced manufacturing operations. You will be accountable for ensuring cost competitiveness, supply continuity, quality compliance, and operational performance across our external manufacturing network. Your role will drive long-term value creation through strategic partnerships, innovation, and operational excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Life Sciences, Business, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience across manufacturing operations, external manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, supplier management, or related functions within highly regulated industries.
• Experience in medical devices, biologics, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or other regulated manufacturing environments is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and executive presentation skills with the ability to engage and influence senior leaders, cross-functional stakeholders, and external partners while navigating ambiguity and competing priorities.
• Track record of establishing performance management frameworks, governance processes, and operating mechanisms that improve operational execution, supplier performance, supply continuity, and service reliability across complex manufacturing or supply networks.
• Strong business and financial acumen with experience leading margin improvement, productivity, working capital, cost optimization, and value creation initiatives that drive measurable business results.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (MBA, MS, or PhD) strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of external manufacturing strategies across Advanced Surgery, CCS, and FLC, ensuring alignment with business priorities, product portfolio requirements, and long-term network objectives.
• Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) and strategic suppliers, driving accountability, operational excellence, capacity alignment, and long-term partnership value.
• Lead complex supplier negotiations, including commercial agreements, payment terms, productivity initiatives, and cost optimization programs that improve profitability and support Margin Improvement Program (MIP) objectives.
• Establish and drive standardized operating mechanisms, including business reviews, scorecards, escalation processes, and performance management frameworks to ensure consistent execution across the external manufacturing network.
• Drive margin improvement, working capital optimization, and cost management initiatives while supporting budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities across the ECM portfolio.
• Partner with leaders across Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Commercial, and Finance organizations to proactively address operational challenges, mitigate risk, support product launches, and ensure supply continuity.
• Identify and address supplier, operational, and market risks through effective governance, contingency planning, and partner performance management to ensure uninterrupted supply and business continuity.

Benefits

• medical and dental coverage that start on day one
• insurance coverage for basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), with the ability to purchase company stock at a discount
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), with options for employee contributions and company matching
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• educational assistance programs
• paid holidays
• paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service
• family and medical leaves of absence
• paid parental leave
• commuting benefits
• Employee Discount Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• childcare benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director