Operations Director

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com.

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world. We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual. At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function:

Supply Chain Manufacturing

Job Sub Function:

Plant Management

Job Category:

People Leader

All Job Posting Locations:

Limerick, Ireland

Job Description:

• Operations Director – Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Limerick

  Shape the Future of Operations Excellence

  We are seeking an experienced and inspirational Operations Director to lead a high-performing manufacturing organisation within a regulated, fast-paced environment. This is a critical leadership role responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant manufacture of products while driving operational excellence, organisational capability, and long-term business growth.

  As a member of the site leadership team, you will play a key role in shaping strategy, developing talent, and delivering world-class operational performance through Lean principles, continuous improvement, and strong leadership.

  Key Responsibilities

  Operational Leadership

• Lead manufacturing operations to ensure reliable product supply while meeting customer demand, quality, compliance, safety, cost, productivity, inventory, and lead-time objectives.
• Drive operational performance through disciplined execution, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, quality, environmental, and safety requirements, including FDA and internal standards.
• Develop and implement operational strategies that support business growth, resilience, profitability, and business continuity.

• Operational Excellence

• Champion Lean Operational Excellence across the organisation, embedding:
  • Standard work
  • Visual management
  • Daily management systems
  • Structured problem solving
  • Waste elimination
  • Continuous improvement methodologies
• Drive improvements in productivity, equipment effectiveness, right-first-time performance, capacity utilisation, and flow.

• Strategic Planning & Governance

• Establish and maintain operational governance, systems, policies, and performance management processes.
• Regularly review operational performance, identify risks and opportunities, and ensure effective corrective actions are implemented.
• Create organisational structures and operating models that support future growth, transformation, and technology adoption.

• Build and sustain a culture of safety, accountability, engagement, and performance excellence.
• Lead, coach, and develop a senior Operations leadership team.
• Develop organisational capability through succession planning, leadership development, and diverse talent pipelines.
• Foster an inclusive and high-performing environment where associates can thrive and reach their potential.

• Stakeholder Management

• Build strong partnerships across the business and with external stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, regulatory agencies, consultants, and industry partners.
• Influence and collaborate effectively across functions to achieve strategic business objectives
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Science, Supply Chain, Business, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10–12 years' experience in manufacturing, operations, or supply chain leadership.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior leadership role within a regulated multinational organisation.
• Proven success leading large, complex manufacturing operations.
• Strong experience implementing Lean, Operational Excellence, productivity, or transformational improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated track record of developing leaders, succession planning, and building organisational capability.

• Preferred

• Master's Degree in Engineering, Science, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• Lean, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or Continuous Improvement certification.
• Experience leading major transformation, capacity expansion, or operating model change initiatives.
• What You'll Bring

• Strong operational leadership within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Deep understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, Daily Management Systems, and structured problem solving.
• Ability to translate strategy into execution and measurable outcomes.
• Proven capability to lead through change and create sustainable performance improvements.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen.
• A passion for developing people and building high-performing teams.
• Unwavering commitment to ethics, compliance, quality, safety, and organisational values.

#indjp

#LI-CM4

 

 

Required Skills:

 

 

Preferred Skills:

Agile Manufacturing, Business Planning, Developing Others, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Inclusive Leadership, Leadership, Manufacturing Compliance, Manufacturing Safety, Organizational Project Management, Organizing, Plant Operations, Process Improvements, Strategic Supply Chain Management, Tactical Planning