Senior Director, Quality - UCAN
Baxter International Inc.
Summary
As Senior Director, Quality Assurance for the UCAN region, you will lead Quality strategy and performance across Baxter's largest Infusion Therapies & Platforms (ITP) region - focusing primarily on the drug manufacturing plants, helping to ensure the safety, quality, and reliable supply of products that support millions of patients.
Job description
Role Summary
The senior regional Quality leader is responsible for quality strategy, governance, organizational capability, regulatory compliance, and business performance across Baxter's United States and Canada network. Leading a team of approximately 400 employees across multiple manufacturing, laboratory, compounding, and distribution operations, you will shape the future of Quality within one of Baxter's most strategically important regions. Success in this role means strengthening regulatory confidence, enabling reliable supply, advancing operational excellence, and developing a high-performing organization focused on patient safety and product quality.
What You'll Be Doing
- Develop and execute a multi-year Quality strategy that strengthens compliance, performance, and organizational effectiveness across the UCAN network.
- Lead Quality governance and decision-making processes that promote consistency, accountability, and operational excellence across multiple sites.
- Partner with senior business, manufacturing, supply chain, and technical leaders to enable growth, operational resilience, and reliable product supply.
- Champion inspection readiness and regulatory excellence while building strong, credible relationships with health authorities.
- Drive enterprise-wide quality improvement, remediation, and transformation initiatives that deliver sustainable results.
- Make risk-based decisions that balance patient safety, product quality, compliance requirements, and business objectives.
- Build, coach, and develop high-performing leaders while strengthening succession planning and organizational capability.
- Provide executive-level insights, reporting, and recommendations related to quality performance, compliance risks, and strategic priorities.
What You'll Bring
- With over 15 years of significant senior Quality leadership experience within pharmaceutical industry, you'll bring a proven success leading Quality strategy, compliance, governance, and performance across complex multi-site operations.
- Deep expertise in global quality systems, regulatory requirements, inspection management, and risk mitigation.
- Strong ability to influence executive stakeholders and guide high-impact business decisions.
- Demonstrated success leading large-scale transformation, remediation, and continuous improvement programs.
- A collaborative leadership style with a passion for developing talent, building inclusive teams, and fostering a culture of accountability and growth.
- Strong business acumen with experience managing significant budgets, investments, and strategic operating plans.
- Bachelor's degree in a scientific, engineering, or related discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
- Travel up to 40% to manufacturing sites, vendors and Baxter headquarters.
- We will consider remote candidate, although Northern Illinois based or relocatable to Illinois is preferred.
Requirements
- Over 15 years of significant senior Quality leadership experience within pharmaceutical industry
- Proven success leading Quality strategy, compliance, governance, and performance across complex multi-site operations
- Deep expertise in global quality systems, regulatory requirements, inspection management, and risk mitigation
- Strong ability to influence executive stakeholders and guide high-impact business decisions
- Demonstrated success leading large-scale transformation, remediation, and continuous improvement programs
- Collaborative leadership style with a passion for developing talent, building inclusive teams, and fostering a culture of accountability and growth
- Strong business acumen with experience managing significant budgets, investments, and strategic operating plans
- Bachelor's degree in a scientific, engineering, or related discipline required
- Advanced degree preferred
- Travel up to 40% to manufacturing sites, vendors and Baxter headquarters
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Life Insurance
- Accident Insurance
- Short-term Disability
- Long-term Disability
- Business Travel Accident Insurance
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- 401(k) Matching
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Educational Assistance
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Time Off
- Family and Medical Leave
- Paid Parental Leave
- Commuting Benefits
- Employee Discount Program
- Employee Assistance Program
- Childcare Benefits
Company overview
Baxter International Inc. is an American multinational healthcare company headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois, founded in 1931. As a leading global medical device manufacturer, Baxter specializes in developing and producing essential medical products for treating chronic and acute medical conditions. The company operates across three primary business segments: Medical Products and Therapies, Healthcare Systems and Technologies, and Pharmaceuticals. Baxter's extensive product portfolio includes intravenous (IV) solutions, infusion pumps, dialysis equipment for kidney disease treatment, surgical technologies, and hospital pharmaceuticals. With approximately 38,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues exceeding $10 billion, Baxter plays a critical role in global healthcare infrastructure. The company is particularly known for its leadership in IV fluid production, manufacturing approximately 60% of the intravenous fluids used in the United States. Baxter's innovations include pioneering developments in artificial kidney technology and advanced surgical products, serving healthcare providers across more than 100 countries. The company maintains a strong commitment to research and development, investing significantly in medical technology advancements that improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery efficiency.