Shift Operations Manager at Abbott

Abbott; Kilkenny; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Career development

New facility

Additional benefits

Job summary

Abbott Kilkenny is seeking a Shift Operations Manager to lead manufacturing operations on site. You will drive safety, quality, and efficiency while managing cross-functional teams to meet production plans.

The role requires a strong track record in regulated manufacturing environments, a formal NFQ Level 7 qualification, and a focus on Lean and MOS practices to sustain high performance.

Qualifications

• NFQ Level 7 qualification in Engineering, Science, Business, Manufacturing or related field.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a manufacturing leadership role.
• Experience leading shifts in highly regulated manufacturing environments (Medical Devices/Pharma/regulated industries).

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop manufacturing teams to meet targets and budget.
• Act as site leader during shifts, guiding operational decisions.
• Ensure safety, quality and cost metrics are maintained.
• Drive MOS/Lean initiatives and standard work across the production area.
• Coordinate cross-functional support across departments to sustain operations.

Skills

Leadership

People Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Change Management

Continuous Improvement

Education

NFQ Level 7 qualification

Job description

Shift Operations Manager

Employment Details

This Full time on site position offers great opportunities for career growth.

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 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Abbott in Ireland

Abbott has been operating in Ireland since 1946 and serves the Irish market with a diverse range of healthcare products including diagnostics, diabetes care, medical devices and nutritional products. In Ireland, Abbott currently employs about 6,000 people across ten sites located in Dublin, Donegal, Clonmel, Cootehill, Galway, Kilkenny, Longford and Sligo.

Abbott Diabetes Care Kilkenny

Abbott Diabetes Care has opened a new site, in Kilkenny, that is at the forefront of Diabetes care with the latest technology, to manufacture FreeStyle blood glucose test strips and FreeStyle Sensors for use in diabetes management. Among Abbott Diabetes Care leading brands are the FreeStyle Precision, FreeStyle Lite and FreeStyle Libre systems.

Purpose of the Role

As the Operations Shift Manager you will be responsible for the safe, compliant, and efficient execution of manufacturing operations during their shift. Acting as the primary site leader outside of normal Monday to Friday business hours, this role ensures production plans are achieved while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, service, and cost performance. You will lead and develop high-performing teams, optimise manufacturing performance, manage resources effectively, and drive a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement across the operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & People Management
  • Lead, coach, and develop manufacturing teams to achieve operational and business objectives.
  • Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, teamwork, engagement, and continuous improvement.
  • Support employee development through coaching, training, succession planning, and performance management.
  • Manage shift staffing requirements and resource allocation to meet production demands.
  • Address employee concerns and resolve operational challenges in a timely and effective manner.
• Manufacturing Operations
  • Lead day-to-day manufacturing activities to ensure production targets and schedules are delivered safely and efficiently.
  • Act as the designated site leader during shift hours, making timely operational decisions to support business continuity.
  • Monitor and drive performance against key operational metrics including safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost.
  • Ensure manufacturing operations remain aligned with production plans and customer requirements.
  • Coordinate cross-functional support to maintain operational effectiveness during shift operations.
• Quality & Compliance
  • Ensure products are manufactured to the highest quality standards while meeting all regulatory and compliance requirements.
  • Maintain adherence to site procedures, GMP requirements, and quality management systems.
  • Lead investigations into production issues and support effective corrective and preventive actions.
  • Promote a culture where quality and compliance are embedded in every aspect of manufacturing operations.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Identify opportunities to enhance productivity, efficiency, quality, and operational performance.
  • Champion Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives across the production areas.
  • Lead the execution of the Manufacturing Operations System (MOS) through structured tier meetings and standard work practices.
  • Support the implementation of best practices that improve performance and reduce waste.
• Safety & Sustainability
  • Create and maintain a strong safety culture where employee wellbeing is the highest priority.
  • Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with site, divisional, and corporate safety policies.
  • Lead risk management activities and proactively address safety concerns.
  • Promote environmental sustainability through responsible resource management, waste reduction, and energy-efficient practices.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Build strong partnerships with Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Procurement, and other support functions.
  • Ensure clear communication and effective coordination across departments to deliver operational objectives.
  • Provide regular updates on performance, priorities, risks, and improvement initiatives to site leadership teams.
• Education & Experience
  • NFQ Level 7 qualification (or equivalent) in Engineering, Science, Business, Manufacturing, or a related discipline.
  • Minimum 5 years' experience in a manufacturing leadership role.
  • Proven experience leading manufacturing shifts, production departments, or operational teams in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
  • Experience within Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive, FMCG, Electronics, or similarly regulated manufacturing industries.
  • Demonstrated success in leading people, driving performance, and delivering operational results.
  • Strong understanding of safety, quality, compliance, and manufacturing best practices.
  • Experience managing resources, workforce planning, and operational priorities within a shift environment.
  • Preferred Experience Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or Continuous Improvement training and experience.
  • Experience leading Manufacturing Operations Systems (MOS) or similar structured performance management systems.
  • Previous budget management, cost control, and resource planning experience.
  • Experience working within highly regulated manufacturing environments.

What we Offer

• Attractive compensation package that includes competitive pay
• Family health insurance
• Excellent pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Career Development
• Fantastic new facility
• Growing business plus access to many more benefits

Abbott is an equal opportunities employer.