Director, Operational Excellence
Integra LifeSciences Corporation, Princeton, New Jersey, us, 08543
Changing lives. Building Careers.
Joining us is a chance to do important work that creates change and shapes the future of healthcare. Thinking differently is what we do best. To us, change equals opportunity. Every day, our colleagues are challenging what’s possible and making headway to innovate new treatment pathways to advance patient outcomes and set new standards of care.
Director of Operational Excellence Responsible for leading Lean Six Sigma deployment and enterprise continuous improvement across Integra’s Global Supply Chain & Operations organization. This leader drives end‑to‑end operational performance—from suppliers through manufacturing and distribution—by embedding Lean principles, Six Sigma rigor, and structured problem‑solving into the operating model.
Partnering closely with manufacturing sites, supply chain leadership, Quality, R&D, and Regulatory Affairs, the Director strengthens organizational capability, accelerates improvements in quality, service, cost, throughput, and operational stability, and supports Integra’s broader mission to advance operational maturity and regulatory compliance within its global life sciences environment.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Governance
Define, deploy, and sustain Integra’s Lean Six Sigma–based Operational Excellence strategy across Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and supporting functions.
Establish enterprise CI governance including project selection criteria, prioritization processes, tollgate standards, and KPI dashboards aligned with operational and financial objectives.
Develop standardized methodologies, templates, and best practices for Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and advanced problem‑solving.
Program Deployment & Project Leadership
Lead the portfolio of Black Belt and Green Belt initiatives globally, ensuring project rigor, execution discipline, validated results, and sustainability.
Partner with Site Directors, Supply Chain, Quality, R&D, and Regulatory Affairs to identify and deliver enterprise‑level improvement opportunities.
Apply advanced analytical and statistical tools (DOE, SPC, regression, capability analysis) to solve complex operational, quality, and supply chain challenges.
Coaching, Training, & Capability Building
Mentor and develop CI practitioners, ensuring a robust and sustainable Lean Six Sigma pipeline across all regions.
Facilitate leadership workshops, value stream mapping sessions, Kaizen events, and problem‑solving activities.
Maintain and enhance CI training curricula suited to life sciences regulatory and operational requirements.
Cultural Transformation & Daily Management
Embed Lean behaviors, standard work, visual management, and data‑driven decision‑making into the Global Operations Daily Management System.
Influence leaders at all levels to adopt continuous improvement behaviors and accountability.
Lead enterprise rapid improvement events and cross‑functional transformation initiatives that elevate operational maturity and engagement.
Regulatory, Quality, & Compliance Integration
Ensure CI methodologies and improvement activities comply with FDA, ISO 13485, MDR, QSR, GxP, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
Partner with Quality and Regulatory to strengthen QMS processes, risk management (FMEA, control plans), process validation, and CAPA effectiveness.
Apply statistical and structured problem‑solving approaches to improve product quality, reliability, and patient safety.
Financial Impact & Executive Reporting
Establish standards for financial validation of cost savings, productivity gains, cost avoidance, and service improvements.
Deliver executive‑level reporting, dashboards, maturity assessments, and annual CI summaries to the VP of Global Operations Excellence & Strategy.
Support capital investment decisions through process capability assessments and operational readiness evaluations.
Required Skills & Minimum Qualifications Education
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field required.
Advanced degree (MBA, MS/PhD in Engineering, Operations, or related discipline) preferred.
Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt required; Master Black Belt certification preferred.
Experience
10–15 years of progressive experience in continuous improvement within manufacturing, supply chain, or operations.
Proven success leading large‑scale transformation programs in regulated environments (medical device, pharmaceutical, biotech).
Demonstrated ability to validate operational and financial results with strong analytical and financial acumen.
Experience with CI program development, training delivery, daily management systems, and tiered accountability deployment.
Experience with process validation, risk management (FMEA), CAPA, QMS systems, and reliability improvement.
Skills & Competencies
Strong organizational, analytical, and statistical skills, with proficiency in tools such as Minitab, JMP, or equivalents.
Ability to lead and influence without direct authority across a global matrixed organization.
Exceptional executive communication and facilitation skills.
Strong project management and change leadership capabilities.
Highly self‑motivated team player able to work independently and collaboratively.
Tools And Equipment Used
Standard office equipment (computers, printers, copiers, communication systems).
Additional tools may depend on manufacturing, field service, or lab environments, defined in role‑specific documentation.
Physical Requirements The physical requirements listed below represent the motor and physical abilities necessary to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these duties.
Sit, listen, speak, and move throughout various areas of the building.
Travel across all company locations as needed.
Periodically lift and/or move items up to twenty‑five pounds.
Travel domestically and internationally via car, train, or airplane, as required by the role.
Salary Pay Range: $166,750.00 - $228,850.00 USD Salary
Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is determined by several factors including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for bonus, commission, equity or other variable compensation. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Additional Description for Pay Transparency: Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees and/or eligible dependents are eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long‑term disability, business accident insurance, group legal insurance, and savings plan (401(k)).
Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, Employees are eligible for the following https://jobs.integralife.com/total-rewards/.
Integra LifeSciences is an equal opportunity employer, and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees regardless of race, marital status, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.
Integra LifeSciences is committed to provide qualified applicants and employees who are disabled veterans or individuals with disabilities with needed reasonable accommodations in accordance with the ADA. If you have difficulty using our online system due to a disability and need an accommodation, please email us at careers@integralife.com.
Unsolicited Agency Submission Integra LifeSciences does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre‑existing agreement is in place. A formal written agreement is required before engaging any agency, and it must be executed and authorized by the Vice President, Talent Acquisition. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions (the initial sharing of a candidate’s name, resume, or background) are position‑specific and may only occur within the scope of that approved agreement. Please, no phone calls or emails.
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Joining us is a chance to do important work that creates change and shapes the future of healthcare. Thinking differently is what we do best. To us, change equals opportunity. Every day, our colleagues are challenging what’s possible and making headway to innovate new treatment pathways to advance patient outcomes and set new standards of care.
Director of Operational Excellence Responsible for leading Lean Six Sigma deployment and enterprise continuous improvement across Integra’s Global Supply Chain & Operations organization. This leader drives end‑to‑end operational performance—from suppliers through manufacturing and distribution—by embedding Lean principles, Six Sigma rigor, and structured problem‑solving into the operating model.
Partnering closely with manufacturing sites, supply chain leadership, Quality, R&D, and Regulatory Affairs, the Director strengthens organizational capability, accelerates improvements in quality, service, cost, throughput, and operational stability, and supports Integra’s broader mission to advance operational maturity and regulatory compliance within its global life sciences environment.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Governance
Define, deploy, and sustain Integra’s Lean Six Sigma–based Operational Excellence strategy across Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and supporting functions.
Establish enterprise CI governance including project selection criteria, prioritization processes, tollgate standards, and KPI dashboards aligned with operational and financial objectives.
Develop standardized methodologies, templates, and best practices for Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and advanced problem‑solving.
Program Deployment & Project Leadership
Lead the portfolio of Black Belt and Green Belt initiatives globally, ensuring project rigor, execution discipline, validated results, and sustainability.
Partner with Site Directors, Supply Chain, Quality, R&D, and Regulatory Affairs to identify and deliver enterprise‑level improvement opportunities.
Apply advanced analytical and statistical tools (DOE, SPC, regression, capability analysis) to solve complex operational, quality, and supply chain challenges.
Coaching, Training, & Capability Building
Mentor and develop CI practitioners, ensuring a robust and sustainable Lean Six Sigma pipeline across all regions.
Facilitate leadership workshops, value stream mapping sessions, Kaizen events, and problem‑solving activities.
Maintain and enhance CI training curricula suited to life sciences regulatory and operational requirements.
Cultural Transformation & Daily Management
Embed Lean behaviors, standard work, visual management, and data‑driven decision‑making into the Global Operations Daily Management System.
Influence leaders at all levels to adopt continuous improvement behaviors and accountability.
Lead enterprise rapid improvement events and cross‑functional transformation initiatives that elevate operational maturity and engagement.
Regulatory, Quality, & Compliance Integration
Ensure CI methodologies and improvement activities comply with FDA, ISO 13485, MDR, QSR, GxP, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
Partner with Quality and Regulatory to strengthen QMS processes, risk management (FMEA, control plans), process validation, and CAPA effectiveness.
Apply statistical and structured problem‑solving approaches to improve product quality, reliability, and patient safety.
Financial Impact & Executive Reporting
Establish standards for financial validation of cost savings, productivity gains, cost avoidance, and service improvements.
Deliver executive‑level reporting, dashboards, maturity assessments, and annual CI summaries to the VP of Global Operations Excellence & Strategy.
Support capital investment decisions through process capability assessments and operational readiness evaluations.
Required Skills & Minimum Qualifications Education
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field required.
Advanced degree (MBA, MS/PhD in Engineering, Operations, or related discipline) preferred.
Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt required; Master Black Belt certification preferred.
Experience
10–15 years of progressive experience in continuous improvement within manufacturing, supply chain, or operations.
Proven success leading large‑scale transformation programs in regulated environments (medical device, pharmaceutical, biotech).
Demonstrated ability to validate operational and financial results with strong analytical and financial acumen.
Experience with CI program development, training delivery, daily management systems, and tiered accountability deployment.
Experience with process validation, risk management (FMEA), CAPA, QMS systems, and reliability improvement.
Skills & Competencies
Strong organizational, analytical, and statistical skills, with proficiency in tools such as Minitab, JMP, or equivalents.
Ability to lead and influence without direct authority across a global matrixed organization.
Exceptional executive communication and facilitation skills.
Strong project management and change leadership capabilities.
Highly self‑motivated team player able to work independently and collaboratively.
Tools And Equipment Used
Standard office equipment (computers, printers, copiers, communication systems).
Additional tools may depend on manufacturing, field service, or lab environments, defined in role‑specific documentation.
Physical Requirements The physical requirements listed below represent the motor and physical abilities necessary to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these duties.
Sit, listen, speak, and move throughout various areas of the building.
Travel across all company locations as needed.
Periodically lift and/or move items up to twenty‑five pounds.
Travel domestically and internationally via car, train, or airplane, as required by the role.
Salary Pay Range: $166,750.00 - $228,850.00 USD Salary
Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is determined by several factors including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for bonus, commission, equity or other variable compensation. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Additional Description for Pay Transparency: Subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees and/or eligible dependents are eligible to participate in the following Company sponsored employee benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long‑term disability, business accident insurance, group legal insurance, and savings plan (401(k)).
Subject to the terms of their respective policies and date of hire, Employees are eligible for the following https://jobs.integralife.com/total-rewards/.
Integra LifeSciences is an equal opportunity employer, and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees regardless of race, marital status, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.
Integra LifeSciences is committed to provide qualified applicants and employees who are disabled veterans or individuals with disabilities with needed reasonable accommodations in accordance with the ADA. If you have difficulty using our online system due to a disability and need an accommodation, please email us at careers@integralife.com.
Unsolicited Agency Submission Integra LifeSciences does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre‑existing agreement is in place. A formal written agreement is required before engaging any agency, and it must be executed and authorized by the Vice President, Talent Acquisition. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions (the initial sharing of a candidate’s name, resume, or background) are position‑specific and may only occur within the scope of that approved agreement. Please, no phone calls or emails.
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