Sr. OPEX Engineer

Baxter International Inc.; Kentucky; On-site; USD 112,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision coverage

160 hours of Paid Time Off and Paid as

401K match

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Paid Parental Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Baxter is seeking an experienced Operational Excellence professional to lead GPS deployment and continuous improvement across manufacturing and support functions. You will coach teams in Lean, Kaizen, and problem-solving while driving KPI governance, OEE improvement, and site transformation initiatives.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years in related fields, with Lean Six Sigma Green Belt preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations, Business, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operational Excellence, or related disciplines.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred.
• Experience leading Kaizen events and Continuous Improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support deployment of GPS across manufacturing and support functions.
• Facilitate and coach teams in Lean, Kaizen, LDMS, Problem Solving, and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Support GPS maturity progression and capability development.
• Lead Operational Excellence training sessions at all levels.
• Design, modify, and improve manufacturing and business processes using TLA, VSM, and data-driven analysis.
• Support Waste Reduction, OEE Improvement, Productivity Improvement, and MIP initiatives.
• Identify, prioritize, and implement improvement opportunities that deliver sustainable business results.
• Support Value Improvement Projects and site transformation initiatives.
• Coach teams in structured problem solving and root cause analysis.
• Facilitate cross-functional improvement teams and Kaizen activities.
• Develop problem-solving capability and continuous improvement behaviors.
• Support development, reporting, and governance of operational KPIs.
• Manage and improve OEE and productivity measurement systems.
• Conduct process, labor, and capacity analyses.
• Ensure adherence to FDA regulations, GMP requirements, and Baxter quality standards.
• Support EHS initiatives and safe work practices.
• Promote and sustain workplace organization through 6S principles.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Kaizen

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Problem solving

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Industrial/Operations or related discipline

Tools

GPS

LDMS

Value Stream Management (VSM)

TLA

OEE analysis

Job description

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:

Operational Excellence is responsible for leading site performance improvement initiatives through deployment of the Baxter Growth & Performance System (GPS). This role partners with manufacturing, engineering, quality, and support functions to drive sustainable improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and People performance through Lean principles, Problem Solving, Value Stream Management, and Continuous Improvement methodologies. The position plays a key role in supporting site strategic priorities, improving operational performance, developing organizational capability, and driving a culture of continuous improvement.

What we offer from Day One

• Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
• 160 hours of Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• 401K match
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement

What you'll be doing:

GPS Deployment & Continuous Improvement

• Lead and support deployment of GPS across manufacturing and support functions.
• Facilitate and coach teams in Lean, Kaizen, LDMS, Problem Solving, and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Support GPS maturity progression and capability development.
• Lead Operational Excellence training sessions at all levels.

Operational Performance Improvement

• Design, modify, and improve manufacturing and business processes using TLA, VSM, and data-driven analysis.
• Support Waste Reduction, OEE Improvement, Productivity Improvement, and MIP initiatives.
• Identify, prioritize, and implement improvement opportunities that deliver sustainable business results.
• Support Value Improvement Projects and site transformation initiatives.

Problem Solving & Capability Building

• Coach teams in structured problem solving and root cause analysis.
• Facilitate cross-functional improvement teams and Kaizen activities.
• Develop problem-solving capability and continuous improvement behaviors.

Data, Systems & Governance

• Support development, reporting, and governance of operational KPIs.
• Manage and improve OEE and productivity measurement systems.
• Conduct process, labor, and capacity analyses.

Compliance, Quality & Safety

• Ensure adherence to FDA regulations, GMP requirements, and Baxter quality standards.
• Support EHS initiatives and safe work practices.
• Promote and sustain workplace organization through 6S principles.

What you'll bring:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations, Business, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, or related disciplines.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred.
• Experience leading Kaizen events and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Experience with GPS, LDMS, Value Stream Management, and Operational Performance Improvement.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Experience with VSM, TLA, OEE improvement, and structured problem solving.
• Strong project management, facilitation, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Ability to influence and drive change across all levels of the organization.
• Working knowledge of cGMP, FDA, and regulatory requirements.

Applicants must be authorized to work for an employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. At Baxter, we are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices. The estimated base salary for this position is $112,000 - $154,000 annually. The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position. We may pay more or less than of the anticipated range based upon market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based on upon location, skills and expertise, experience, and other relevant factors.

Other Duties as Assigned

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Overtime is worked as required.

US Benefits at Baxter (except for Puerto Rico)

This is where your well-being matters. Baxter offers comprehensive compensation and benefits packages for eligible roles. Our health and well-being benefits include medical and dental coverage that start on day one, as well as insurance coverage for basic life, accident, short-term and long-term disability, and business travel accident insurance. Financial and retirement benefits include the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), with the ability to purchase company stock at a discount, and the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), with options for employee contributions and company matching. We also offer Flexible Spending Accounts, educational assistance programs, and time-off benefits such as paid holidays, paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days based on length of service, family and medical leaves of absence, and paid parental leave. Additional benefits include commuting benefits, the Employee Discount Program, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and childcare benefits. Join us and enjoy the competitive compensation and benefits we offer to our employees.For additional information regarding Baxter US Benefits, please speak with your recruiter or visit our Benefits site: Benefits | Baxter

Equal Employment Opportunity

Baxter is an equal opportunity employer. Baxter evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability/handicap status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Reasonable Accommodations

Baxter is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please click on the link here and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information.