Project Engineer - Continuous Improvement

Abbott Laboratories; Cootehill; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott Nutrition Cootehill site is seeking a Project Manager to lead Lean and Continuous Improvement initiatives across the facility. You will drive cross-functional projects, deliver data-driven insights, and champion a culture of sustainable change using Lean Six Sigma methodologies.

The role requires a strong background in project management, data analysis, and experience with Power BI/Power Apps to enable digital solutions and measurable improvements in productivity and quality.

Qualifications

• Strong project management and planning skills with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Experience leading Lean Six Sigma projects and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Ability to analyze data to drive operational excellence and cost savings.

Responsibilities

• Champion Lean, Continuous Improvement and Six Sigma across the site.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Identify opportunities to optimise processes for efficiency, quality and cost reduction.
• Support the Margin Improvement Program and develop a pipeline of improvement opportunities.
• Deliver Lean initiatives to drive productivity, standardisation and excellence.
• Promote digital and data-driven solutions to improve performance, including Power BI/Power Apps.
• Support training in Root Cause Analysis, Kaizen, Lean Six Sigma and Value Stream Mapping.
• Undertake site-wide operations improvement projects as required.

Skills

Project management

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Power BI

Power Apps

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Technology/Engineering/Business

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Tools

Power BI

Power Apps

Job description

Abbott in Ireland

Abbott has maintained a strong presence in Ireland since 1946 and celebrates its 80th anniversary in the country in 2026. The company supports the Irish healthcare sector with a broad portfolio spanning diagnostics, diabetes care, medical devices and nutritional products. Today, Abbott employs more than 6,500 people across ten sites located in Dublin, Donegal, Clonmel, Cootehill, Galway, Kilkenny, Longford and Sligo.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Abbott Ireland Nutrition Division Cootehill Cavan

Abbott Nutrition produces a range of infant formulae in all pack sizes under the brand name “Similac”. To complement the range of “Similac” infant formulae, the facility also manufactures a range of follow-on formulae under the brand name of “Gain”. The essential ingredient is liquid skim-milk and this is combined with carbohydrate, vegetable oils, vitamins and minerals. The product is blended, pasteurised, dried and packaged at the site and once packaged, is distributed to Europe, South East Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Canada.

Established in 1975, Abbott Nutrition in Ireland is the largest powder manufacturing facility for the production of infant formulae within the Abbott Corporation worldwide. Approximately 1,000 dairy farms in Ireland and Northern Ireland supply quality milk to the Cootehill facility which processes 500,000 litres per day. This secure supply together with Ireland’s reputation as a green, clean environment is of significant strategic importance to Abbott Nutrition.

*Please note any offer of employment for this position is conditional upon the successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination, including drug and alcohol screening, conducted by a medical practitioner designated by the Company.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a motivated and ambitious Project Manager to further their career by joining a Global Leader in the Nutritional Manufacturing industry. The primary purpose of this role is to lead and support continuous improvement initiatives across the Abbott Nutrition Cootehill site, while sharing best practices across the wider Abbott Nutrition Network. You will play an important role in helping to cultivate a culture of sustainable change through the creation and embedding of Lean methodology and the supporting framework, to deliver business transformation.

Responsibilities

• Champion the use of Lean, Continuous Improvement and Six Sigma across the site.
• Use Lean Six Sigma, change management tools and methodologies to ensure project success, including Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping and DMAIC.
• Identify opportunities to optimise processes and ways of working to improve efficiency, quality and cost performance.
• Support delivery and financial reporting of the site Margin Improvement Program, and develop a sustainable year-on-year pipeline of improvement opportunities.
• Develop and execute Lean initiatives to drive productivity, standardisation and operational excellence across departments.
• Support the identification and implementation of digital and data-driven solutions to improve operational performance and ways of working, including the use of tools such as Power BI and Power Apps where appropriate.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects, engaging stakeholders at all levels and driving sustainable change across the organisation.
• Support departments in achieving key performance indicators through the application of Lean principles and continuous improvement practices.
• Assist with the site's Ideas to Action programme, promoting employee engagement, recognition and the sharing of best practices.
• Support the delivery of Lean capability training, including Root Cause Analysis, Kaizen, Lean Six Sigma, Value Stream Mapping and 6S Housekeeping Standards.
• Undertake other Operational Excellence and site improvement projects as required.

Education Required

• A 3rd level qualification in Technology, Business, Engineering or a related discipline or 5+ years relevant work experience in a high volume and dynamic production environment.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt qualification, with knowledge of Lean Six Sigma tools such as DMAIC, Root Cause Analysis, 5S and Standard Work, is preferable.

Knowledge/Skills

• The post holder will have strong attention to detail, project management and planning skills.
• Demonstrated ability to identify improvement opportunities and lead or support Continuous Improvement projects through to implementation and sustainable results, with a proactive and can-do approach.
• Ability to build on the site's Behaviour-Based Continuous Improvement culture through engagement, data analysis, best practice identification and implementation.
• Ability to effectively interact, influence and communicate across all levels.
• Experience using data and digital tools to support continuous improvement activities. Knowledge of Power BI, Power Apps or similar tools would be advantageous.

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