Manufacturing Program Manager

COV Covidien LP; North Haven (CT); On-site; USD 109,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental & vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Medtronic is seeking a strategic leader to drive manufacturing excellence, process improvement, and operational performance across the site. You will develop and deploy strategies to improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) while aligning with business priorities and financial targets.

The role requires strong business acumen, data-driven decision making, and the ability to translate strategy into actionable programs across Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of manufacturing, operations, continuous improvement, engineering, or program management experience; OR Advanced degree and 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Nice to Have: Regulated manufacturing experience (medical device/pharma/aerospace)
• Experience developing and implementing manufacturing excellence or operational performance strategies
• Six Sigma certification and/or demonstrated success leading large‑scale CI initiatives
• Experience leading cross‑functional projects across multiple functions
• Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence
• Experience analyzing operational metrics to drive business decisions

Responsibilities

• Lead site-wide continuous improvement initiatives across Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain.
• Develop and deploy strategies to improve SQDC (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost).
• Create KPI dashboards and support data-driven decision making.
• Oversee agile review/approval of manufacturing documents and process controls.
• Drive accountability and accelerate execution of strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prioritize resources and investments.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Operational Excellence

Cross‑functional leadership

Data analytics

KPI dashboards

Strategic thinking

Financial acumen

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Tools

Data analytics tools

Spreadsheet software

Job description

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 28 Sep 2026 Careers that change lives start here. Medtronic is a global leader in healthcare technology with a Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. Our 95,000 employees work across more than 150 countries to put patients first — developing innovative medical technologies that improve the lives of 72+ million patients each year. Your unique talents will help shape the future of healthcare while building a career grounded in purpose, growth, and impact.

A Day in the Life We are seeking a highly driven and strategic leader to lead manufacturing excellence, business process improvement, and operational performance initiatives across the site. This role is responsible for developing and deploying strategies that drive sustainable improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) while ensuring alignment with business objectives and operational priorities. The successful candidate will possess a high sense of urgency and a proven ability to translate strategy into execution. They will serve as a key partner to Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations teams, leading cross‑functional improvement programs that enhance productivity, compliance, efficiency, and overall business performance.

This individual must demonstrate a strong continuous improvement mindset, leveraging Lean, Six Sigma, and Operational Excellence methodologies to identify opportunities, remove waste, improve processes, and deliver measurable results. The role requires exceptional strategic thinking, with the ability to develop long‑term operational strategies and successfully deploy them across the organization. In addition, the candidate must possess strong business acumen, financial acumen, and analytical capabilities to evaluate operational and financial performance, prioritize resources, assess investment opportunities, and support data‑driven decision‑making. The ability to transform complex data into actionable insights that improve business outcomes is essential.

Key responsibilities include driving manufacturing improvement programs, leading site‑wide continuous improvement initiatives, conducting root‑cause analysis, developing KPI dashboards, and supporting the achievement of site performance targets. The individual will also be expected to perform agile review and approval of manufacturing documentation, procedures and process controls, ensuring compliance while continuously improving operational effectiveness and efficiency. The ideal candidate is an influential leader who can work across all organizational levels, challenge the status quo, drive accountability, and accelerate execution of strategic priorities.

Success in this role will be measured by the ability to improve operational performance, strengthen organizational capabilities, and deliver sustainable results supporting Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) objectives.

Onsite: At Medtronic, we bring bold ideas forward with speed and decisiveness to put patients first in everything we do. In‑person exchanges are invaluable to our work. We’re working a minimum of 5 days a week onsite as part of our commitment to fostering a culture of professional growth and cross‑functional collaboration as we work together to engineer the extraordinary.

Responsibilities may include the following and other duties may be assigned. Responsible for the development and implementation of activities in production area(s) to meet production goals, quality, and cost objectives. Prioritizes production schedules based on product introduction, equipment efficiency, and materials supply. Plans and administers procedures and budgets. Makes budgetary recommendations on capital expenditures and direct/indirect labor. Selects and develops personnel to ensure the efficient operation of the production function. Develops schedules and manpower requirements for assigned areas.

Management Skills: Management of Financial and Material Resources, Critical Thinking, Project Management, Management of Personnel Resources, Collaboration and Productivity Software, Effective Communication Skills. Functional Skills: Machining and Manufacturing Technologies, Proficient computer skills, Data Science and Analysis, Lean Manufacturing and continued improvement, Managing Quality.

Must Have: Minimum Requirements To be considered for this role, please ensure the minimum requirements are evident in your applicant profile. Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of relevant manufacturing, operations, continuous improvement, engineering, or program management experience; OR Advanced degree and 3+ years of relevant experience. Nice to Have Experience in a regulated manufacturing environment, including medical device, pharmaceutical, aerospace, or similar industries. Experience developing and implementing manufacturing excellence or operational performance strategies across a site or business unit. Experience with machining and manufacturing technologies. Experience creating KPI dashboards and utilizing data analytics tools to support operational decision‑making. Six Sigma certification and/or demonstrated success leading large‑scale continuous improvement initiatives. Experience leading cross‑functional projects, programs, or operational improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment. Experience applying Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or related process improvement methodologies. Experience analyzing operational metrics and performance data to drive business decisions and measurable improvements. Experience managing priorities, projects, and stakeholders across multiple functions. For Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required.

Physical Job Requirements The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position. The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co‑workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role.

U.S. Work Authorization & Sponsorship At Medtronic, we are committed to fostering an environment where employees can thrive and make a meaningful impact. In alignment with our enterprise‑wide workforce planning approach, U.S. work authorization sponsorship (H‑1B, TN, J, etc.) is offered exclusively for Principal‑level roles and above, where specialized expertise aligns with long‑term business needs. Roles below the Principal level require candidates to possess unrestricted U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and for the duration of employment.

Benefits & Compensation Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create. We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage. Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$108,800.00 - $163,200.00 This position is eligible for a short‑term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP). The base salary range is applicable across the United States, excluding Puerto Rico and specific locations in California. The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others). The following benefits and additional compensation are available to those regular employees who work 20+ hours per week: Health, Dental and vision insurance, Health Savings Account, Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Life insurance, Long‑term disability leave, Dependent daycare spending account, Tuition assistance/reimbursement, and Simple Steps (global well‑being program). The following benefits and additional compensation are available to all regular employees: Incentive plans, 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match, Short‑term disability, Paid time off, Paid holidays, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Assistance Program, Non‑qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums), and Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums). Regular employees are those who are not temporary, such as interns. Temporary employees are eligible for paid sick time, as required by applicable state law, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Please note some of the above benefits may not apply to workers in Puerto Rico. Further details are available at the link below: Medtronic benefits and compensation plans.

It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are applying to perform work for Medtronic, Inc. (“Medtronic”) in any position which will involve performing at least two (2) hours of work on average each week within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, you can find here a list of all material job duties of the specific job position which Medtronic reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. Medtronic will consider for employment qualified job applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

We lead global healthcare technology and boldly attack the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people. We are engineers at heart— putting ambitious ideas to work to generate real solutions for real people. From the R&D lab, to the factory floor, to the conference room, every one of us experiments, creates, builds, improves and solves. We have the talent, diverse perspectives, and guts to engineer the extraordinary. We change lives. Each team member, each day, helps to improve and redefine how the world treats the most pressing health conditions, from heart disease to diabetes. Our industry leadership comes from the passion and ingenuity …