Lean Six Sigma Black Belt - Sturgis, MI Plant

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

Working at Abbott 

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to: 

• Production areas that are clean, well-lit and temperature-controlled  

• Training and career development, with onboarding programs for new employees and tuition assistance  

• Financial security through competitive compensation, incentives and retirement plan 

• Health care and well-being programs including medical, dental, vision, wellness and occupational health programs, Medical Benefits start day 1 

• Vacation – 120 hours of accrued vacation (1st yr is prorated) + vacation buy program + 3 personal days + 10 paid holidays 

• Retiree Healthcare program 

• Robust 401(k) retirement savings with a generous company match 

• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree. 

• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.  

• A stable company with a record of strong financial performance and history of being actively involved in local communities 

• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.  

The Opportunity  

This position works out of our Sturgis, MI location in the Abbott Nutrition division. Our Nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, and Glucerna® – to help them get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest lives. 

For over 70 years, Abbott’s Sturgis, Mich., has been impacting its community while producing products that provide essential nutrition to millions of families around the world. Working here, you’ll feel part of a family that is dedicated to making a difference and helping others. 

What You’ll Work On 

• Lead cross-functional DMAIC projects with significant financial and operational impact
• Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities aligned with site strategy
  • This includes identification of opportunities, definition of done and financial justification of projects, stakeholder management, change management, project team resource management, overall project/program management, lead teams to execute projects with sound problem solving methodology, track project and program status and results, remove and elevate project barriers, and develop team members
• Serve as a change agent, driving a culture of continuous improvement and accountability
• Identify integration points across the project value stream projects/processes and coordinate the improvements with key stakeholders and process owners to maximize project/program value delivery
• Manage the development and maintenance of methods and enabling systems (including governance, organizational structures, processes and tools) that accurately demonstrate the degree to which the project/program goals, objectives and metrics are being met.
• Recruit experts, advocates and team members into the Operational Excellence organization, and ensure continuing development of their skills.
• Utilize statistical analysis and problem-solving tools to identify root causes

• Apply Lean tools (e.g., value stream mapping, Yamazumi diagrams, standard work, 5S) to optimize workflows
• Analyze production data to improve throughput, reduce cycle time, and enhance labor efficiency
• Support labor balancing, line design, and capacity optimization initiatives
• Improve OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) through waste reduction and downtime mitigation
• Lead Kaizen events and rapid improvement workshops
• Provide thorough stakeholder management and change management – this includes keeping the project sponsor, plant management, and site personnel informed of project status (deliverables, milestones, overall timeline, etc.) including Project Management Office (PMO) updates
• Best Practice Sharing: This position will drive replication of applicable best practices and learnings across sites, organizations and the division functions
• Operate with general direction and minimal supervision from the Manager, Operational Excellence with full responsibility to make decisions that directly impact successful project outcomes

Key Deliverables / KPIs:

• Project savings (cost reduction, productivity gains, waste elimination)
• Improvement in OEE, yield, and cycle time
• Reduction in defects, rework, and scrap
• Labor productivity and line balancing improvements
• Meeting project deliverables and milestones on or ahead of schedule

You’ll be accountable for meeting our compliance standards including FDA, OSHA and Abbott policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or closely related discipline
• Must possess Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification (required training and corresponding project completion)
• Possesses a working technical knowledge and application of concepts, practices, and procedures within engineering discipline.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Pre-Employment Inquiries and Citizenship | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov) 

Apply Now 

* Participants who complete a short wellness assessment qualify for FREE coverage in our HIP PPO medical plan. Free coverage applies in the next calendar year. 

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:  www.abbottbenefits.com  

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity and Military/Veteran friendly Employer, committed to employee diversity. 

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott, and on Twitter @AbbottNews.

The base pay for this position is $99,300.00 – $198,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.