Director, Lean - Innovation

Job Description Summary

We are scaling the Heartbeat Business System—our proprietary way of running the company—to accelerate innovation. You will lead Heartbeat deployment for the innovation value stream from Idea through commercialization. This role will focus on driving operating reviews and daily management for innovation programs to embed standard work and accountability at every level. In addition to hardware and systems, a significant portion of innovation is software and AI; you will embed Lean Software Development, Agile/DevOps practices, within Heartbeat to improve flow, quality, and release predictability.

Job Description

This role is for a Director of Lean who will lead efforts to streamline processes and eliminate waste within our organization. You’ll be responsible for coaching leaders in our early stage product development on lean principles and continuous improvement techniques. As part of this position you will also drive culture change throughout the organization by establishing best practices for decision making, problem solving, communication, collaboration, and more.

As a director, you will play a key leadership role in driving strategic initiatives forward through agile execution, effective stakeholder management, and timely escalation. Your primary focus will be supporting the development and launch of new products/solutions as well as leading lean transformation across the entire organization. Through your leadership, we can deliver industry-leading results that improve patient outcomes while reducing costs.

We are seeking someone with experience working in manufacturing environments, product development as well as expertise in lean methodology. Experience in Six Sigma or similar quality assurance programs is preferred. We value diverse perspectives and look for people with different ways of thinking. If you have strong interpersonal skills, excellent written/verbal communications skills, and a track record of achieving results, then please apply today!

How You Will Do It

• Deploy Heartbeat Business System: Establish the operating rhythm, leader standard work (LSW), and KPI bowler management for operating reviews and daily management for innovation.
• Integrate development milestones (Idea → Commercialization) with Heartbeat cadences to ensure release readiness—standard inputs/outputs, criteria, and artifacts per gate (including Platform SW supplements where applicable).
• Lead Lean Software & AI Development within Heartbeat: synchronize Agile ceremonies with reviews; define flow KPIs (e.g., deployment frequency, change failure rate, lead time, MTTR) and quality KPIs (defect escape, reliability); implement secure development lifecycle and data/AI governance expectations in alignment with QMS.
• Run wave‑based deployments/Kaizens to accelerate adoption with governance, self‑assessments, and 30/60/Year‑end activation plans.
• Build capability and stickiness: Coach leaders/teams on Heartbeat, Lean software practices, problem‑solving, and visual management; curate playbooks and templates for sustained use.
• Assist leadership in identifying operational improvements opportunities using Lean and other process improvement methods such as Kaizen events.
• Work closely with the operational teams to develop and implement Lean roadmaps to reduce cost, inventory, cycle time, increase productivity and throughput, eliminate non-value added activities, etc.
• Help to create a culture of continuous improvement where every employee feels empowered to identify problems and propose solutions.
• Drive Lean implementation in new product introduction projects, product transfers, and major capital investments including Speed Design Review (SDR) and Production Preparation Process (3P).
• Facilitate Lean training sessions for leadership team and all levels of the organization.
• Establish best practices for decision making, problem solving, communication, collaboration, and other cultural elements.
• Support the creation of a governance structure to ensure successful deployment of Lean across the organization.
• Create standard work instructions and templates for use throughout the organization.
• Maintain an awareness of the latest trends, best practices, and new technologies related to Lean and share them with the leadership team and all levels of the organization.
  
  

What You Should Bring

• 10+ years in Lean/Operational Excellence and product development leadership across innovation programs, including software-intensive products.
• Deep experience with Stage‑Gate/PRD from Idea through Commercialization, and proven results improving cycle time, gate quality, and release readiness.
• Track record leading enterprise business‑system deployments across multiple levels, including daily management and operating reviews.
• Demonstrated expertise in Lean Software/Agile; partnering with Quality/Regulatory to meet QMS expectations for software and AI-enabled products.
• At least 5 years of progressive responsibility in engineering, operations, supply chain, or general management roles.
• Strong understanding of Lean principles and tools such as Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, 3P, and others.
• Demonstrated ability to coach senior executives and middle managers on Lean philosophy and its application in their respective organizations.
• Ability to facilitate large scale cross functional teams and help them reach consensus on complex issues.
• Proven ability to effectively communicate ideas both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills; must be able to interact professionally with all levels of employees and outside customers.
• Highly motivated individual capable of functioning independently with little supervision.
• Results oriented individual with proven track record of accomplishing goals.
  
  

We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.

Additional Information

GE HealthCare offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE HealthCare is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE HealthCare will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).

While GE HealthCare does not currently require U.S. employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, some GE HealthCare customers have vaccination mandates that may apply to certain GE HealthCare employees.

Relocation Assistance Provided: No