Operational Excellence Site Lead

AbbVie; Westport; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking an Operational Excellence Site Lead to steer the site’s OpEx strategy, governance, and continuous improvement across manufacturing, quality, and supply chain. You will lead the OpEx team, build capability, standardise practices, and embed routines that drive accountability and sustainable performance.

You will coach teams in Lean, Six Sigma, data analysis, and problem solving, identifying high-impact initiatives and deploying AI-enabled solutions to raise productivity and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, business or related discipline with Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Minimum eight years' experience in pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical/medical device or similarly regulated manufacturing, with managerial experience and project delivery.
• Minimum of two years' direct people management at management level, preferably leading OpEx/digital/PMO functions.
• Strong capability in Lean, Six Sigma, structured problem solving, data analysis, process mapping, root cause analysis, and standard work.
• Proven experience applying AI/digital tools to operational challenges with measurable impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead the site OpEx strategy, roadmap, and governance across manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and support functions.
• Direct the OpEx team, drive prioritisation, capability building, performance management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop and execute continuous improvement strategies aligned with business priorities and resource capacity.
• Coach teams in Lean, Six Sigma, visual management, and daily management systems.
• Identify and deploy AI-enabled and digital solutions to improve decision-making, productivity, and scalable improvements.
• Partner with site functions and leadership to meet objectives and manage budgets, benefits tracking, and accountability.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Problem solving

Leadership

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in science/engineering/business

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Master Black Belt preferred

Tools

AI analytics tools

Job description

Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people’s lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, ( Facebook, Instagram ( , X ( and YouTube.

Job Description

The Operational Excellence Site Lead is responsible for leading the site operational excellence strategy, roadmap, and governance to improve performance across manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and support functions.

The role leads the OpEx team, builds site capability, standardises best practices, and embeds disciplined routines that support accountability, innovation, and sustainable continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted advisor to site leadership on operational excellence strategy, capability building, performance governance, and change execution.
• Lead the site OpEx team, including work prioritisation, capability building, performance management, stakeholder engagement, and delivery of agreed business results.
• Lead the site continuous improvement strategy and roadmap, ensuring alignment with business priorities, resource capacity, and measurable performance outcomes.
• Coach and develop teams in Lean, Six Sigma, structured problem solving, visual management, standard work, value stream mapping, and daily management systems.
• Identify, prioritise, and deliver high-impact improvement initiatives that reduce waste, improve flow, increase reliability, strengthen compliance, and support Right First Time performance.
• Identify and deploy AI-enabled and digital solutions that improve decision-making, reduce manual effort, enhance productivity, and create scalable operational improvements.
• Partner with site functions, senior leaders, regulatory agencies, vendors, and suppliers to support departmental and organisational objectives.
• Establish and govern performance metrics, departmental budgets, improvement portfolios, benefits tracking, and accountability routines.
• Ensure effective controls are in place so the department and improvement activities operate in compliance with applicable quality, regulatory, safety, environmental, EHS&E, and AbbVie Global policy requirements.
• Make and execute support-function decisions from a strategic perspective, balancing operational requirements, risk, compliance, stakeholder input, resource allocation, and business impact.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement, involvement, open communication, integrity, effective teamwork, Perfect Performance, and sustainable change across the site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, business, or a related discipline, with Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification required and Master Black Belt certification preferred.
• Minimum of eight years' experience in pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, medical device, or similarly regulated manufacturing, including relevant managerial experience and delivery of strategic business projects.
• Minimum of two years' direct people management experience at management level, preferably leading an OpEx, digital, PMO, or project management function.
• Strong technical capability in Lean, Six Sigma, operational excellence, structured problem solving, data analysis, process mapping, root cause analysis, mistake-proofing, standard work, visual management, performance management systems, and benefits tracking.
• Proven experience identifying and applying AI, digital tools, and analytics to operational challenges, with clear evidence of measurable impact on performance, productivity, manual effort reduction, and decision-making speed.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to translate site challenges into prioritised improvement opportunities linked to enterprise goals, customer needs, financial impact, and sustainable performance outcomes.
• Collaborative and credible leader who can influence across functions, communicate clearly, facilitate change, build capability in others, and maintain high standards of integrity, quality, compliance, and engagement through periods of change.

Additional Information

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

US & Puerto Rico only.