Director, Manufacturing Strategy

Your role at Baxter

In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the global manufacturing network is positioned to be a source of competitive advantage, capable of delivering long‑term performance needed by the divisions. You’ll facilitate the manufacturing strategic planning process and projects, including annual strategy review, in‑depth review of key strategic issues and investment prioritization. You’ll work with cross‑functional teams to ensure the best use of organizational resources in defining and planning goals, objectives and programs to achieve the strategic plan and to achieve growth and profitability, including support of network optimization, localisation, capacity assessment, in sourcing opportunities, and new product introductions.

• Lead Business Manufacturing Network Strategy – own and evolve the end‑to‑end manufacturing network strategy aligned with the business priorities, ensuring delivery of long‑term growth, performance and strategic objectives.
• Drive Capital Planning & Investment Prioritization – oversee manufacturing investment strategy, including capital allocation, facility lifecycle planning, and cross‑division trade‑offs to ensure optimal deployment of resources.
• Enable Capacity Planning & Network Optimization – lead long‑range capacity planning, identify constraints, and implement strategies (including in sourcing and outsourcing decisions) to support new product launches and ongoing business needs.
• Lead Strategic Initiatives & Network Transformation – drive major network changes such as plant rationalisations, tariff mitigation, and large‑scale transformation initiatives, while advancing breakthrough improvements in operating models.
• Embed Risk, Resiliency & Strategic Planning Integration – ensure network strategies incorporate risk and resiliency planning, align with annual and long‑range strategic planning processes, and support profit maintenance and continuous improvement efforts.

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering or a related discipline, with 10+ years relevant business experience, including exposure to global medical device manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience leading teams with the ability to influence, develop talent, and drive alignment across functions and levels.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing plant operations, including Lean principles and Operational Excellence, with hands‑on or leadership experience in a plant environment.
• Strong grasp of plant economics, including costing, capital models, P&L management and broader business unit financials, capable of relating operations to financial outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, understand end‑to‑end supply‑chain interdependencies (planning, procurement, operations, fulfillment), and communicate effectively to drive decisions in a dynamic, competitive marketplace.

Estimated base salary: $168,000 – $231,000 annually. This range may vary based on market data and other factors. The position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, commission, and/or long‑term incentive. Pay is based on location, skills, expertise, experience and other relevant factors.

Baxter offers comprehensive compensation and benefits packages for eligible roles. Health and well‑being benefits include medical and dental coverage that start on day one, basic life, accident, short‑term and long‑term disability, and business travel accident insurance. Financial and retirement benefits include the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with employee contributions and company matching. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, educational assistance programs, and time‑off benefits such as paid holidays, paid time off ranging from 20 to 35 days, family and medical leaves of absence, and paid parental leave.

Other benefits include commuting benefits, employee discount program, employee assistance program, and childcare benefits.

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

Baxter is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please let us know.