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Associate Director (f/m/d), R&D NPD – GSS

Req # JR - 174639 Location Saalfeld, Free State of Thuringia, Germany Additional locations Munich, Bavaria Job Category Research and Development Date posted 07/17/2025
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Overview

This is where new knowledge is discovered. Baxter’s Research and Development teams work cross functionally to innovate, develop and introduce creative solutions for patients needs globally. From Scientists to Engineers, your work creates the products that save and sustain lives.

  • Support for Parents

  • Continuing Education/ Professional Development

  • Employee Heath & Well-Being Benefits

  • Paid Time Off

  • 2 Days a Year to Volunteer

Success Profile

What makes a successful Research and Development team member at Baxter? Take a look at some of the top traits we’re looking for and see if you’re a fit.

  • Courage
  • Action Oriented
  • Collaborates
  • Cultivates Innovation
  • Manages Ambiguity
  • Drives Results

Associate Director (f/m/d), R&D NPD – GSS

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This is where you save and sustain lives

At Baxter, we are deeply connected by our mission. No matter your role at Baxter, your work makes a positive impact on people around the world. You'll feel a sense of purpose throughout the organization, as we know our work improves outcomes for millions of patients.

Baxter's products and therapies are found in almost every hospital worldwide, in clinics and in the home. For over 85 years, we have pioneered significant medical innovations that transform healthcare.

Together, we create a place where we are happy, successful and inspire each other. This is where you can do your best work.

Join us at the intersection of saving and sustaining lives—where your purpose accelerates our mission.

Baxter Medical Systems enables excellence in surgical procedures in modern medical technology. From emergency care to critical care, our products help care teams achieve outstanding results. To enable surgical staff and multidisciplinary care teams to work efficiently, digital systems are automated, and devices are essential to streamline processes, increase user convenience and improve patient safety. Baxter takes this development into account and sets new standards with its intelligent and networked solutions. 

We are currently searching an Associate Director (f/m/d) - R&D NPD - GSS based in Saalfeld.

Summary

This is where you, as the Associate Director of R&D GSS New Product Development (NPD) are leading the R&D team to business success for Profitability & Growth in all areas of our products, being part of our important mission to save and sustain lives. You establish business & technical objectives of research project groups and advise on problem solving efforts in own area and others. Your duties are guided by policies and specific objectives. You assume responsibility for the size, importance, cost and timelines of a critical project. You lead and guide high professionals in their assigned project activities for the R&D group of GSS NPD. This position provides direct leadership to the R&D teams as the Head of NPD for Precision Positioning and Surgical Workflow. Responsibilities include teams and members at the sites in Saalfeld (Germany), Munich (Germany), Bangalore (India) and Pordenone (Italy) and additional responsibilities at different sites globally to enable the organization to achieve business goals.

Responsibilities

  • Responsible for meeting major objectives for the organization, which is shared with other senior management in the business.
  • Supervise high-level professionals/ researchers/scientists in their assigned project activities.
  • Establish business/technical objectives of research project groups and advise on problem solving efforts in own area and others'.
  • Drive specific innovation initiatives consistent with business objective and/or operational efficiency activities to position organization for the future.
  • Assume significant responsibility for the size, importance, cost and timelines of a critical project.
  • Manages a team including Senior Managers and their teams, proactively prioritizes and balance utilization of resources and provides directions to staff.
  • Acknowledged outside of business unit or division for input on programs of some magnitude.
  • Exhibits creativity and innovation in completing divisional and cross-functional/business unit responsibilities.

Education & Experience

  • Bachelors with 16+ years experience or 13+ years experience with Masters, 10+ years experience with PhD
  • Must possess strong knowledge of scientific/technical disciplines and solid knowledge of related disciplines such a regulatory, quality, and/or product development. Recognized internally and externally as expert in functional area.
  • Knowledge of quality and general business systems.
  • Must possess strong ability to negotiate for resources and influence others internally and externally.
  • Must demonstrate strategic leadership, mentoring, and management capabilities.
  • Understanding of financial tools and capable of setting budgets.
  • Must have knowledge of such principles as GMPs, FDA guidelines and purchasing practices.
  • Capable of analyzing and solving complex problems through innovative thought and experience, as well as project management tools.
  • Ability to manage multiple cross-functional teams simultaneously.
  • Ability to design and implement projects/studies outside area of expertise.
  • Display ability to communicate effectively using a wide variety of skills and vehicles and to various audiences including senior management.
  • Understanding of financial tools and ability to set budgets appropriately
  • Up to 25% of travel will be required

What we offer you

As an internationally active company, we offer you professional training opportunities and fair remuneration with above-average social benefits, a company pension scheme, a share plan for employees, 30 days vacation plus special leave, and additional insurance is a matter of course, for us. 

For further information, please reach out to Sebastian Lange via E-Mail: sebastian_lange@baxter.com

Baxter is committed to supporting the needs for flexibility in the workplace. We do so through our flexible workplace policy which includes a required minimum number of days a week onsite. This policy provides the benefits of connecting and collaborating in-person in support of our Mission. The flexible workplace policy is subject to local laws and legal requirements. At its discretion, Baxter may decide to adjust, suspend, or discontinue as business needs change.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Baxter is an equal opportunity employer. Baxter evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability/handicap status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Reasonable Accommodations

Baxter is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please click on the link here and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information.

Recruitment Fraud Notice

Baxter has discovered incidents of employment scams, where fraudulent parties pose as Baxter employees, recruiters, or other agents, and engage with online job seekers in an attempt to steal personal and/or financial information. To learn how you can protect yourself, review our Recruitment Fraud Notice.

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Address

Explore this location Carl-Zeiss-Strasse 7-9
07318 Saalfeld
Germany
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Hear from Our Employees

Our company is enriched by a diverse population of individuals in more than 100 countries that work to solve, innovate, manufacture and drive better healthcare options for patients around the world.

Meet Reagan, Senior Research Scientist in the United States

“For me, the best thing about working at Baxter is being able to do work that’s important to people—especially patients—outside of Baxter's walls. Inside our walls, I get to work with a fantastic team, and we know we're making a difference.”

Meet Karthik, Director of Renal Care R&D - Digital Health & Co-President of the Asian Leadership Network Business Resource Group, United States

“I’m excited about my role because I believe that digital initiatives can make a tremendous impact on lives by allowing people to access the same therapies and have similar care — whether in a hospital, a healthcare clinic, or the patient’s home — anywhere in the world.”

Meet Amitha, Research Associate in India

“Coming from a non-healthcare academic background, my current role has offered ample opportunities to learn a lot of new things. Leaders at Baxter are motivating, help us grow and provide a collaborative environment. The role gives me opportunities to have technical discussions with peers and subject matter experts globally, to learn interacting with customers, and manage project deadlines and deliverables. I am excited about shaping my career here at Baxter.”

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