Senior Director Manufacturing

Sr. Director, Manufacturing Operations Management (Site Head of Manufacturing)

At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help our patients see brilliantly. We innovate boldly, champion progress, and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here, you'll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together, we go above and beyond to make an impact in the lives of our patients and customers. We foster an inclusive culture and are looking for diverse, talented people to join Alcon. We are currently recruiting a Sr. Director, Manufacturing Operations Management. The purpose of this role is to lead and oversee the production of all products, ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, delivery, and cost performance while maintaining compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements. This role provides strategic leadership across multiple manufacturing value streams, including Molding, Environmentally Controlled Area (ECA), Sterilization, and Finishing Operations.

Typical Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Leading production operations to consistently meet product quality, regulatory, safety, environmental, and customer service requirements while conducting all activities in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, company policies, and ethical standards.
• Developing and executing production schedules to meet customer demand and service expectations, while proactively assessing manufacturing capacity and implementing plans to support current and future business needs, including new product introductions.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, cost optimization, process efficiency, and overall plant performance.
• Leading, coaching, and developing employees by fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, teamwork, safety, engagement, recognition, and positive associate relations.
• Ensure departments are appropriately staffed, trained, motivated, and equipped with the necessary skills to achieve objectives.
• Facilitating problem-solving and decision-making through active participation in technical and management meetings, mentoring teams in resolving production and process-related challenges.
• Managing departmental budgets and ensure manufacturing operations are delivered within approved financial targets.
• Maintaining strong cross-functional collaboration through open communication and effective coordination with all departments.
• Ensuring ongoing compliance with Good Practice (GxP) regulations by adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), maintaining accurate and complete documentation, supporting rigorous quality control processes, and ensuring completion of all required training.
• Sustaining compliance with Quality System requirements and evolving organizational and regulatory standards while promoting a culture of continuous improvement and compliance throughout the organization.
• Supporting Business Continuity Management (BCM) initiatives by ensuring Business Continuity (BC) templates are completed for critical areas, participating in BC plan exercises and quarterly BCM meetings, and implementing actions associated with Risk Portfolio and MTO goals.

Qualifications & Experience

The associate must possess the appropriate education, experience, knowledge, and competencies required to successfully perform the responsibilities and activities associated with this role.

What You'll Bring to Alcon

• Strong knowledge of technical aspects of Intraocular Lens (IOL) manufacturing.
• Comprehensive understanding of ISO, GMP, and FDA Medical Device regulatory requirements.
• Proven leadership, motivational, and people management skills with the ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, direct, and coach Manufacturing Section Managers, Supervisors, and support staff.
• Sound business acumen, including the ability to understand, interpret, and act on financial and operational performance metrics.
• Commitment to quality, compliance, operational excellence, continuous improvement, and a strong safety culture.

Education

• Minimum: Bachelor's degree in Business, Science, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Preferred: Postgraduate qualification, Diploma, or MBA.

Experience

• Minimum: 7-10 years of experience in the healthcare, medical device, pharmaceutical, or related regulated manufacturing industry.
• At least 10 years of demonstrated supervisory and/or managerial leadership experience.
• Preferred: More than 10 years of medical device and/or pharmaceutical industry experience, including significant experience at a supervisory or management level.

How You Can Thrive at Alcon

• A competitive salary package with fixed salary, bonus, pension and health insurance.
• A flexible work environment with competent and committed colleagues.
• We enjoy working together in a good and respectful manner, and we celebrate our common successes.
• See your career like never before with focused growth and development opportunities.
• Alcon Careers See your impact at

Alcon, we are committed to helping people see better. We believe patients should have access to quality eye care regardless of their economic circumstances; however, barriers to good eye health exist for patients in both developed and emerging markets. Alcon develops and manufactures innovative devices to serve the full life cycle of eye care needs. Its surgical group is one of the largest makers of equipment used for cataract removal and laser vision correction. Its consumer products include the well-known Opti-Free line of contact lens solutions and related products. Alcon, which was founded in 1945, sells its products in 180 countries worldwide.