Shift Operations Manager

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 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Abbott has been operating in Ireland since 1946 and serves the Irish market with a diverse range of healthcare products including diagnostics, diabetes care, medical devices and nutritional products. In Ireland, Abbott currently employs about 6,000 people across ten sites located in Dublin, Donegal, Clonmel, Cootehill, Galway, Kilkenny, Longford and Sligo.

Please note any offer of employment for this position is conditional upon the successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination, including drug and alcohol screening, conducted by a medical practitioner designated by the Company.

Abbott Diabetes Care has opened  a new site, in Kilkenny, that is  at the forefront of Diabetes care with the latest technology, to manufacture FreeStyle blood glucose test strips and FreeStyle Sensors for use in diabetes management. Among Abbott Diabetes Care leading brands are the FreeStyle Precision, FreeStyle Lite and FreeStyle Libre systems.

This is how you can make a difference at Abbott:

As the Operations Shift Manager you will be responsible for the safe, compliant, and efficient execution of manufacturing operations during their shift. Acting as the primary site leader outside of normal Monday to Friday business hours, this role ensures production plans are achieved while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, service, and cost performance.

You will lead and develop high-performing teams, optimise manufacturing performance, manage resources effectively, and drive a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement across the operation.

• Lead, coach, and develop manufacturing teams to achieve operational and business objectives.

• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, teamwork, engagement, and continuous improvement.

• Support employee development through coaching, training, succession planning, and performance management.

• Manage shift staffing requirements and resource allocation to meet production demands.

• Address employee concerns and resolve operational challenges in a timely and effective manner.

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing activities to ensure production targets and schedules are delivered safely and efficiently.

• Act as the designated site leader during shift hours, making timely operational decisions to support business continuity.

• Monitor and drive performance against key operational metrics including safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost.

• Ensure manufacturing operations remain aligned with production plans and customer requirements.

• Coordinate cross-functional support to maintain operational effectiveness during shift operations.

• Ensure products are manufactured to the highest quality standards while meeting all regulatory and compliance requirements.

• Maintain adherence to site procedures, GMP requirements, and quality management systems.

• Lead investigations into production issues and support effective corrective and preventive actions.

• Promote a culture where quality and compliance are embedded in every aspect of manufacturing operations.

• Identify opportunities to enhance productivity, efficiency, quality, and operational performance.

• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives across the production areas.

• Lead the execution of the Manufacturing Operations System (MOS) through structured tier meetings and standard work practices.

• Support the implementation of best practices that improve performance and reduce waste.

• Create and maintain a strong safety culture where employee wellbeing is the highest priority.

• Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with site, divisional, and corporate safety policies.

• Lead risk management activities and proactively address safety concerns.

• Promote environmental sustainability through responsible resource management, waste reduction, and energy-efficient practices.

• Build strong partnerships with Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Procurement, and other support functions.

• Ensure clear communication and effective coordination across departments to deliver operational objectives.

• Provide regular updates on performance, priorities, risks, and improvement initiatives to site leadership teams.

• NFQ Level 7 qualification (or equivalent) in Engineering, Science, Business, Manufacturing, or a related discipline.

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a manufacturing leadership role.

• Proven experience leading manufacturing shifts, production departments, or operational teams in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

• Experience within Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive, FMCG, Electronics, or similarly regulated manufacturing industries.

• Demonstrated success in leading people, driving performance, and delivering operational results.

• Strong understanding of safety, quality, compliance, and manufacturing best practices.

• Experience managing resources, workforce planning, and operational priorities within a shift environment.

• Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or Continuous Improvement training and experience.

• Experience leading Manufacturing Operations Systems (MOS) or similar structured performance management systems.

• Previous budget management, cost control, and resource planning experience.

• Experience working within highly regulated manufacturing environments.

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.