Associate Director, Business Excellence

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 – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

The Associate Director of Business Excellence is a key strategic role at AbbVie North Dublin, responsible for the execution of site strategy through PMO (Program Management office) and OpEx (Operational Excellence).

In this role, you will collaborate with all departments to spearhead new and innovative processes that drive cost improvements and process optimization, aligning efforts with AbbVie's global standards. The role is pivotal in driving site strategy, stakeholder engagement, and the culture of high performance, quality, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with Site Leadership Team to develop, communicate, and execute site strategy in alignment with AbbVie’s business priorities.
• Project Management: Execute key strategic projects on-site, manage the overall project portfolio, and ensure alignment with business goals and priorities.
• Strategic Partnerships: Build and maintain strategic partnerships with internal and external executive-level management, regulatory agencies, vendors, and suppliers.
• Champion a high-performance, engaged culture through talent development, succession planning, and effective leadership of high-performing teams across Strategy, OpEx, and PMO.
• Continuous Improvement: Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement in business processes and personnel development.
• Operational Excellence: Drive operational excellence through data-driven performance management: set, track, and report on KPIs such as OEE, Cycle Time, Continuous Improvement, Resource Management, Safety, and Quality.
• Lead change management initiatives, ensuring successful adoption of new systems, processes, or technologies.
• Foster a culture of ongoing improvement; provide tools, systems, and coaching to drive site-wide process excellence.
• Compliance: Ensure the department's adherence to regulatory, safety, and environmental compliance, conforming to AbbVie Global policies.
• Goal Setting: Collaborate with the Site Head to set departmental goals, schedules, and timetables.
• Performance Metrics: Control and report critical performance metrics and oversee departmental budgets.

People Leadership:

• Lead the OpEx and PMO teams, providing strategic direction and oversight.
• Team Leadership and Development: Leading program and project managers to maximize personnel potential through career development planning and foster a culture of open communication and teamwork.
• Build, inspire, and retain cross-functional teams capable of delivering strategic and operational goals.
• Support and coach managers/leaders on talent management, performance, engagement, and employee relations.
• Cultivate a proactive, solutions-oriented, and collaborative team environment.
• Formalize and champion a safety-first mindset through visible leadership (GEMBA walks, Safety Walks, cross-functional meetings).

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field; MBA preferred.
• Extensive experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing/operations (oral solid dose highly desirable), with senior site leadership and cross-functional exposure.
• Demonstrated expertise in Lean, Six Sigma and operational excellence.
• Successful track record of demonstrated project management skills, ensuring projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and meet defined quality standards.
• Proven ability to lead in a matrix environment, manage complex programs, and deliver measurable results.
• Direct people management experience.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and strategic leadership skills.

AbbVie is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, serving our community and embracing diversity and inclusion.  It is AbbVie’s policy to employ qualified persons of the greatest ability without discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected group status.

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. 

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