Senior Director - Filtration Operations Device Plants in Devon

Senior Director - Filtration Operations Device Plants in Devon

Devon Full-Time 140000 - 155000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global device manufacturing sites and drive operational excellence in life sciences.
  • Company: Join Cytiva, part of Danaher, a leader in life-saving technologies.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a focus on continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on human health while leading innovative manufacturing operations.
  • Qualifications: Experience in global manufacturing and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 140000 - 155000 £ per year.

This job is with Danaher, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.

Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology? At Cytiva, one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives—and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact. You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact – innovating at the speed of life.

Working at Cytiva means being at the forefront of providing new solutions to transform human health. Our incredible customers undertake life-saving activities ranging from fundamental biological research to developing innovative vaccines, new medicines, and cell and gene therapies.

The Senior Director for Device Plants leads Cytiva’s worldwide Device manufacturing network across five strategic production sites, delivering exceptional performance in Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, Cost, and People (SQDIP). This senior leader sets the operational vision, drives global execution excellence, and ensures the network’s capability to meet Cytiva’s fast‑growing demand for filtration devices. A key aspect of this role is strategic, ongoing collaboration with the Senior Director for Membrane Plants, ensuring robust upstream membrane supply, aligned capacity strategies, synchronized execution, and seamless end‑to‑end product flow across Cytiva’s filtration value chain.

This position reports to the Vice President - Manufacturing Operations RFM-Filtration and is part of the manufacturing operations team and will be an on-site role. This role sits at the heart of Cytiva’s growth strategy and requires an experienced, global manufacturing executive capable of raising operational maturity across diverse sites, cultures, and product lines.

What you will do:

  • Lead the operational and strategic direction of five device manufacturing sites across Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Germany, and South Korea.
  • Establish a unified operating model, driving consistency, maturity, and performance discipline across all locations and lead monthly and quarterly business reviews with plant leaders, presenting network‑wide insights to the VP and senior leadership.
  • Own SQDIP results across the network, ensuring plants consistently meet or exceed targets and drive improvements in throughput, capacity, OTD, yield, productivity, scrap, and inventory turns using DBS tools.
  • Together with the membrane leader, ensure seamless end‑to‑end filtration operations by aligning production planning, inventory strategies, capacity load balancing, supply‑chain continuity, dual‑sourcing strategies, and risk mitigation.
  • Develop and execute long‑range manufacturing strategies for device operations, including footprint optimization, automation, technology upgrades, and investment sequencing.
  • Lead organization using DBS processes across the network: daily management, VPM, PSP/DIVE, standard work, kaizen, and leader standard work as well as building strong DBS capability in site leadership teams, driving standardization, operational rigor and continuous improvement.
  • Lead and develop a strong, capable device leadership team as well as leading workforce development, performance, talent and succession planning leading to a high performance and inclusive culture.

Who you are:

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations, Science, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • Long-standing experience leading global, multi‑site manufacturing (life sciences, pharma, med device, or highly regulated industries preferred).
  • Demonstrated success improving performance using lean/DBS, solving systemic issues, and leading transformation.
  • Strong executive presence, strategic thinking, and ability to influence across a matrixed organization, excellent communication skills and proven ability to lead across diverse cultures and geographies.
  • Proven ability to lead large, diverse teams across multiple geographies, creating unity, consistency, and shared culture across a broad global plant network.
  • Highly collaborative cross‑value‑stream mindset, especially in navigating upstream/downstream dependencies and resolving issues rapidly with peers.
  • Strong execution discipline, capable of driving standardisation and performance rigor in high‑volume manufacturing environments.

Travel, Motor Vehicle Record & Physical/Environment Requirements:

  • Ability to travel – 60% domestically and internationally per business needs.

It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:

  • Experience integrating acquisitions, standing up new manufacturing sites, or leading large-scale network optimization initiatives.
  • Demonstrated capability partnering closely with R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial leaders.
  • Track record of developing high-performing leadership teams and succession pipelines.

Cytiva, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at Danaher Benefits Info.

The annual salary range for this role is 140,000 - 155,000 GBP. This is the range that we in good faith believe is the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future. This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.

Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life.

Senior Director - Filtration Operations Device Plants in Devon employer: Danaher

Cytiva is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of belonging and innovation, where your unique perspective is valued. With a commitment to employee growth and development, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects in life sciences while enjoying comprehensive benefits and a supportive work environment. Located across multiple strategic sites, including Puerto Rico and the UK, Cytiva offers a dynamic workplace that prioritises safety, quality, and continuous improvement, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful difference in human health.

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Contact Details:

Danaher Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Director - Filtration Operations Device Plants in Devon

✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups

Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!

✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces

Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!

✨Leverage the Power of Internships

While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.

✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites

When you find a role at a company you love, like Danaher, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director - Filtration Operations Device Plants in Devon

Global Manufacturing Leadership
Operational Vision Setting
Performance Management
Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, Cost (SQDIP)
Continuous Improvement (DBS)
Strategic Collaboration
Production Planning

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!

Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Danaher specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!

Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!

How to prepare for a job interview at Danaher

✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes

Before you walk into the interview with Danaher, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.

✨Technical Questions Are Key

Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!

✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.

✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety

In a full-time role, companies like Danaher value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.