Manager of Manufacturing & Operational Excellence

Thoratec Switzerland GmbH is part of the medical device division of Abbott Laboratories, a fortune 500 company with over 115’000 employees worldwide. We are the global market leader for implantable and extracorporeal blood pumps based on magnetic levitation technology. Our life-saving systems, which we develop and manufacture in Zurich, are used for advanced heart failure patients needing short- or long-term circulatory support.

Our location in the heart of the city of Zurich has around 130 employees in the areas of development, quality and production of the CentriMag system and the HeartMate 3.

We’re seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking Manager of Manufacturing &Operational Excellence to lead our site’s manufacturing operations and drive continuous improvement. In this role, you’ll play a key part in shaping a high-performing, inclusive workplace where innovation and teamwork thrive.

You’ll oversee day-to-day activities on the manufacturing floor, ensuring smooth operations and sustainable growth through process optimization and team empowerment. Working closely with cross-functional leaders and teams—both on-site and across other Abbott locations—you’ll help bring new products to life, from concept through pilot production.

As a people-first leader, you’ll guide and develop diverse teams, fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and continuous learning. You’ll also lead the implementation of Operational Excellence strategies, using Lean Six Sigma principles to enhance quality, reduce costs, and drive long-term success.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex challenges, building strong relationships, and making a meaningful impact—both on the team and in the lives of patients around the world.

Main Responsibilities:

• Spearheads three manufacturing teams (up to 30 employees) and promotes a high-performance culture through cross-functional collaboration, employee engagement and empowerment.

• Ensures and anticipates product line demands per customer needs.

• Enforces adherence to industry standards (ISO 13485, FDA, MDR) and EHS policies.

• Drives continuous improvement, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness by optimizing processes and implementing lean manufacturing strategies.

• Establishes KPIs in alignment with the business goals and utilizes data-driven decision making to enhance productivity and quality.

• Owns the budget planning (LBE) to forecast, control, and optimize financial performance.

• Leads the site’s operational excellence (OpEx) program including an industrial engineer to embed Lean Six Sigma principles and a structured problem-solving.

• Serves as Lean Six Sigma trainer and mentor by coaching engineers on DMAIC.

• Takes an active role in the site’s strategic roadmap planning, project prioritization, and goal setting, cascading, and tracking.

 Required Qualifications/Technical Skills:

• MSC in Industrial Engineering or related field or equivalent experience; advanced degree preferred.

• 5+ years manufacturing engineering experience.

• Extensive training and coaching experience with Lean Tools

• Medical device experience preferred.

• Strong analytical, problem solving and project management skills.

• Demonstrated leadership capabilities across multiple teams. .

• Lean Six Sigma black belt or extensive lean certifications required.

• Ability to work within a team and as an individual contributor in a fast-paced, changing environment.

• Ability to leverage and/or engage others to accomplish projects.

• Strong verbal and written communications with ability to effectively communicate at multiple levels in the organization.

• Multitasks, prioritizes and meets deadlines in timely manner.

• Strong organizational and follow-up skills, as well as attention to detail.

• Ability to travel occasionally. including internationally.

What we offer:

• A workplace in a frontline fortune 500 company and the world’s leading manufacturer of LVAD’s

• A challenging position in a fast-growing crisis independent industry

• To become part of a dynamic, highly educated, highly skilled, and motivated team

• Flat hierarchies, open appreciative mentality, and efficient, constructive lines of communication

• Multi-national environment, where we foster the development of our talents within the enterprise

• Competitive compensations and benefits

• A workplace in the center of Zurich with R&D, manufacturing, and supply chain under one roof

We are looking for highly motivated person who would like to be part of our passionate team with broad responsibilities. Do you have what it takes? Then send us your application including motivation letter, curriculum vitae, letter of recommendation and diplomas today. We are looking forward to meeting you in the heart of Zurich! 

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