JOB DESCRIPTION:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.
Our nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow, to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands, including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure® and Glucerna®, to help get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest life.
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You will have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- Benefits that support you and your family to stay healthy, financially secure, and supported throughout life's journey, including comprehensive medical insurance coverage, wellbeing support, and competitive rewards that recognize your contributions.
- A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
The Opportunity
As the Production Manager, lead the strategic sourcing of locally managed indirect goods and services and tactical planning of direct materials, ensuring reliable supply, optimal inventory performance, and competitive cost. This role partners closely with cross-functional stakeholders and suppliers to support operational excellence, drive continuous improvement, and enable business growth.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and develop the Materials Planning and Procurement team, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer-focused service.
- Lead the planning and inventory management of direct materials, ensuring uninterrupted supply to manufacturing operations while balancing replenishment and safety stock strategies, and minimizing distressed inventory.
- Partner closely with Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Finance, and Supply Chain stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into effective sourcing strategies for locally managed indirect materials and services.
- Deliver value through competitive sourcing, cost optimization, supplier innovation, and risk mitigation.
- Build, develop, and maintain a high-performing network of suppliers, leading supplier selection, negotiations, contract management, and performance improvement initiatives.
- Collaborate with Category Management teams to leverage data-driven insights and market intelligence, identifying opportunities to improve supplier performance, strengthen supply continuity, and reduce total cost of ownership.
- Monitor supplier capability, market trends, and commercial risks to proactively address supply challenges and ensure commitments related to quality, delivery, service, and cost are consistently achieved.
- Establish and maintain site level procurement policies, standards, and governance processes that ensure sourcing decisions align with business, quality, compliance, and operational requirements.
- Manage departmental budgets and performance metrics, driving results across inventory accuracy, days on hand, safety stock optimization, supplier delivery performance, distressed inventory reduction, and successful new product introductions.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Minimum 5 years of supply chain and procurement leadership experience
- Procurement experience in manufacturing environments preferred
- Materials Planning & Inventory Management – Expertise in demand planning, inventory optimization, supply continuity, and manufacturing support.
- Strategic Sourcing & Procurement – Ability to develop sourcing strategies, negotiate contracts, manage spend, deliver cost savings, and build strategic supplier partnerships.
- Analytical & Financial Acumen – Uses data, KPIs, and financial insights to support decision-making, cost management, and continuous improvement.
- Stakeholder Management & Influencing – Collaborates effectively across functions and influences outcomes to meet business objectives.
- Continuous Improvement & Change Management – Identifies opportunities to improve processes, systems, and supply chain performance.
Location
This position is based in New Zealand > Pokeno.
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.
The base pay for this position is
N/A
In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
JOB FAMILY:
Category Management
DIVISION:
ANSC Nutrition Supply Chain
LOCATION:
New Zealand > Waikato: Pokeno Plant
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:
WORK SHIFT:
Standard
TRAVEL:
Not specified
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:
Not Applicable
SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:
Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)