Associate Director, Plastics Engineering

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Job Title: Associate Director, Plastics Engineering

Department: MPT Global Engineering

Reports to: Sr. Director, MPT Global Engineering

Location: (North Cove, North Carolina – Malta – Cartago – Haina)

Job Summary:

The Associate Director, Plastics Engineering is responsible for leveraging subject matter experts (SMEs) across Baxter’s global manufacturing network to support plastic-related needs, with a primary focus on injection molding and extrusion. This role serves as a key technical leader, driving collaboration between plant engineering teams, segment leadership, and global functions to optimize plastics processing technologies. By fostering knowledge sharing, standardization, and best practice implementation, the Associate Director ensures that Baxter’s global plastics capabilities align with business needs and long-term manufacturing strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a global strategy for plastics processing technologies that optimize capital investment, enhance quality and cost efficiency, and improve time-to-market performance.
• Lead a global engineering team in managing multimillion-dollar capital projects across all Baxter Global Business Units (GBUs).
• Build and develop a high-performing team of plastics and tooling engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Define and refine process-specific standards for systems development, deployment, monitoring, and maintenance across Baxter plants and external suppliers.
• Oversee the Global Plastics Engineering technology roadmap, identifying and integrating state-of-the-art techniques in equipment and processes.
• Collaborate with product development teams to optimize part design for manufacturability, ensuring best practices are applied throughout the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase gate system.
• Conduct systems risk analysis using tools such as MoldFlow, SigmaSoft, and Computational Fluid Dynamics to mitigate risks in technology implementation.
• Support supplier and manufacturing site development through robust design reviews, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), and process validation activities.
• Provide leadership in tooling and process troubleshooting, supporting plant engineering teams in resolving technical issues and driving lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Lead strategic partnerships with R&D, Procurement, Supplier Quality, Supplier Development, and Global Integrated Supply Chain teams to enhance Baxter’s global plastics capabilities.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Extensive experience in thermoplastics systems engineering and processing, with a focus on injection molding and extrusion in both manufacturing and product development environments. Thermoset processing experience is a plus.
• Proven track record of building and leading high-performing technical teams, developing talent pipelines, and managing a diverse engineering organization.
• Strong ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive results outside of direct scope of responsibility.
• Experience supporting product and process development across the full product lifecycle, including make/buy decisions and process qualification.
• Proficiency in engineering tools such as Process FMEA, Design FMEA, control strategies, statistical methods, problem analysis techniques, and Design of Experiments (DOE).
• Background in medical-grade plastics and processes is preferred.
• Master Molder certification or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Advanced knowledge of reliability engineering, risk management, and industry regulations.
• Ability to navigate complex global organizations and drive alignment across multiple sites, regions, and functions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional Engineer (PE) certification is a plus.
• Certification in Project Management (PMP), Lean Six Sigma, or Reliability Engineering (CRE).
• Strong financial acumen with experience in cost optimization, budgeting, and investment planning are a plus.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Plastics Engineering or a related engineering discipline; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 12 years of progressive plastics engineering experience.
• At least 3 years leading technical teams and working cross-functionally with global stakeholders.

Other Duties as Assigned

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. Duties and tasks may change at any time based on business needs. Overtime may be required as necessary.

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.

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