Technical Services Specialist

Ireland - Kilkennymid

OtherTechnical Services Specialist

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Overview

JOB DESCRIPTION: About Abbott Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life.

Technical Tools

OtherTechnical Services Specialist

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.

Purpose of the Role

We are seeking a motivated and analytical Technical Services Specialist to join our team. This role is responsible for leading technical investigations into product failures, process non-conformities, customer complaints, and system anomalies to identify root causes and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.

Working closely with cross-functional stakeholders including Operations, Quality, Control Systems, Global Engineering, Validation, PMO, and the wider technical teams, you will play a key role in driving product quality, process reliability, compliance, and continuous improvement. This is a dynamic and multidisciplinary position that requires strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while working independently.

Responsibilities

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Conduct detailed root cause investigations using structured methodologies such as 5 Whys, Fishbone Analysis, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
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Analyse technical data, performance metrics, and test results to identify trends, determine underlying causes, and support decision-making.
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Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and other cross-functional teams to gather information, validate findings, and implement solutions.
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Develop, recommend, and support the implementation of Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) to address issues and reduce future risk.
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Design and execute testing, validation, and simulation activities to replicate issues, confirm root causes, and verify solutions.
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Prepare comprehensive technical reports documenting investigations, findings, risk assessments, and recommended actions.
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Identify opportunities to improve processes, tools, systems, and procedures to enhance quality, efficiency, and reliability.
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Ensure all investigations and solutions comply with applicable regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal quality systems.
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Support the development and implementation of new processes within the Materials function and ensure effective integration across departments.
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Partner with Operational Excellence teams to develop and maintain Power BI dashboards, trackers, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
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Apply Lean methodologies and continuous improvement principles to drive operational excellence.
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Provide guidance and training on investigation techniques, root cause analysis methodologies, and lessons learned.
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Participate in cross-functional projects and initiatives to support safety, compliance, quality, and continuous improvement objectives.
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Identify areas of operational risk and improvement and proactively recommend solutions.
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Develop and maintain a strong understanding of company quality policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Alternative combinations of education and relevant industry experience will also be considered.
Minimum of 3 years' experience in Engineering, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Technical Services, or a related environment.
Proven experience conducting technical investigations, root cause analysis, failure analysis, or problem-solving activities within a regulated industry.
Experience working within quality management systems and regulated environments is highly desirable.

Strong knowledge of Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), 5 Whys, Fishbone Analysis, and Statistical Process Control (SPC).
Experience analysing technical data and interpreting trends to support investigations and process improvements.
Familiarity with data analysis and reporting tools, including Power BI or similar platforms.
Understanding of continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean and Operational Excellence principles.
Knowledge of relevant quality and regulatory standards, including ISO, FDA, or similar frameworks.