Full-Time
Operational Excellence Lead
Updated on 9/3/2026
Smith+Nephew
10,001+ employees
Global medical devices for orthopedics
No salary listed
No H1B Sponsorship
Fort Worth, TX, USA
Hybrid
Hybrid work model applies for most professional roles.
Bachelor's, Master's
 Business & Strategy (1) |
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- A Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related field is required.
- Leadership experience in operations, supply chain, or engineering disciplines is required.
- Experience leading a lean transformation across a cross-functional facility is required.
- Ability to analyze complex data and develop evidence-based conclusions and data-based recommendations is required.
- A proven track record of developing, training, and coaching teams is required.
- Experience in project and program management is required.
- Experience in change management with the ability to act as an influential change agent is required.
- At least 8 years of process improvement and Lean experience are required.
- At least 8 years of hands-on experience implementing successful Lean-based business systems is required, including strategy deployment and A3 thinking, Lean leadership, structured problem solving such as DMAIC, value-stream mapping, Kaizen events, tiered accountability and KPI management, and shop-floor management systems.
- Business and financial acumen are required.
- Microsoft Office expertise is required.
- Partner with the Site Leadership Team to develop and execute a multi-year transformation roadmap aligned with business and corporate strategy.
- Lead deployment and maturity progression of the Smith+Nephew Business System across all site functions and end-to-end processes.
- Drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence through Lean Management Systems and structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Develop, implement, and monitor site KPIs that support business objectives and operational performance.
- Lead strategic programs and complex projects that deliver sustainable business improvements.
- Coach, mentor, and develop operational excellence capabilities across all levels of the organization.
- Support digitization and automation initiatives in partnership with Operations Technology teams.
- Facilitate value-stream improvements focused on customer experience, operational efficiency, and profitable growth.
- Improve decision-making frameworks and problem-solving capabilities within high-performing teams.
- Collaborate with global Operational Excellence colleagues to share best practices and strengthen business system tools, templates, and processes.
- Provide regular updates and progress reports to site and global leadership teams.
- A Master's degree is preferred.
- Experience in a regulated industry such as pharmaceutical or medical device is preferred.
- Six Sigma experience and/or certification is a plus.
- Med-Tech or healthcare experience is a plus.
Smith+Nephew is a global medical technology company that designs and makes medical devices for orthopaedics, sports medicine, and advanced wound care. Its products help surgeons treat joints and soft tissues and support patient recovery, including knee repair systems, single-use negative pressure wound therapy devices, and other extremity orthopaedic products. These devices are used in hospitals and clinics to perform procedures and support healing, often after surgery or injury. The company differentiates itself with a broad, worldwide product portfolio and collaborations with healthcare organizations to improve care and efficiency for patients and providers. Its goal is to improve patient outcomes, streamline medical procedures, and expand access to advanced medical solutions around the world.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Watford, United Kingdom
Founded
1856
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q2 2026 revenue hit $1.597 billion; Sports Medicine offset orthopaedics weakness.
- Management kept 2026 trading profit guidance at $1.3 billion despite softer sales.
- CARTIHEAL AGILI-C gained first 2026 reimbursement and reached Australia, Italy, and Belgium.
What critics are saying
- August 4, 2026 guidance cut to 4% growth exposed weak US knees.
- China ENT VBP starts second-half 2026, while skin-substitute reimbursement crushes Advanced Wound Bioactives.
- Smith+Nephew's cementless knees gap cedes premium orthopaedics share to Stryker and Zimmer Biomet.
What makes Smith+Nephew unique
- Smith+Nephew's innovation pipeline now drives over 60% of growth.
- CORI XT, launched in 2026, unifies handheld robotics across knee, hip, and shoulder procedures.
- ASC Solutions and LEAF 3.0 extend devices into outpatient care and monitoring.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Flexible Work Hours
Parental Leave
Fertility Treatment Support
Family Planning Benefits
Tuition Reimbursement
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Volunteer Time Off
Home Office Stipend
Phone/Internet Stipend
Discounted Stock Options
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
Employee Assistance Program
PTO/vacation?
Paid Sick Leave
Company News
Corient Private Wealth LP purchased a new stake in Smith & Nephew SNATS, Inc. (NYSE:SNN – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 31,871 shares of the medical equipment provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,999,000. Other large investors […]
Smith+Nephew has launched the FLOW FLEXTEND COBLATION Wand, a new radiofrequency resection device designed for complex hip procedures. The device features an adjustable-angle tip that provides enhanced joint access and tissue targeting in difficult-to-reach hip, knee, and shoulder anatomies. The wand incorporates Smith+Nephew's FLOW~IQ technology, which automatically balances saline outflow with COBLATION energy. Its design includes a precision electrode with an adjustable tip that improves access to targeted tissues whilst facilitating insertion and removal. The angle adjustment mechanism allows surgeons to set the desired position without continuous manual control. Early surgeon feedback has been positive, with users highlighting improved versatility in the central compartment and precise tissue preservation capabilities compared to existing instruments.
Smith+Nephew has launched ASC Solutions, an enterprise strategy designed to help ambulatory surgery centres optimise costs, improve quality and enhance performance. The initiative provides ASCs with access to clinical expertise, procedural technologies and data analytics to support growth and patient outcomes in value-based care settings. The company is expanding its ASC ONE delivery model into an integrated platform that simplifies centre development and accelerates facility readiness. ASC ONE coordinates services including facility design, construction, financing and clinical enablement through a single point of contact. Smith+Nephew has partnered with STERIS Unity Health Centers, Brasfield & Gorrie, Ghafari and Hopper Healthcare to provide expertise across the ASC lifecycle. The model enables physician-led organisations and health systems to streamline vendor management whilst reducing complexity and improving execution timelines.
Smith+Nephew has completed the first clinical cases using its next-generation CORI XT Handheld Robotics Platform for knee and shoulder arthroplasty. The platform is designed as a single handheld robotics system for various orthopaedic procedures, including partial to revision knee, hip, and anatomic and reverse shoulder surgeries. The first shoulder arthroplasty cases were performed at Duke Health by Dr Christopher Klifto, who used CORI SHOULDER Handheld Robotic Arthroplasty with the AETOS Shoulder System. Dr Bertrand Kaper subsequently completed the first CORI XT shoulder cases in an ambulatory surgery centre setting in Scottsdale, Arizona. The platform supports both hospital and ambulatory surgical centre environments, with a compact footprint tailored to different facility needs. Smith+Nephew's approach aims to enhance surgeon expertise whilst maintaining clinical control and workflow efficiency.
Smith+Nephew has launched the next generation LEAF Patient Monitoring System in the US, a pressure injury prevention platform designed to reduce hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs). The cloud-hosted system uses wearable sensors to monitor patient mobility and provide real-time turn status updates, improving workflow efficiency and protocol adherence. HAPIs cause approximately 60,000 annual deaths in the US and cost the economy $26.8 billion yearly. The LEAF system has demonstrated a 73% reduction in HAPI odds compared to standard care and delivers up to $1.8 million in estimated savings per critical care facility. The enhanced platform features an improved user interface developed with nursing teams and integrates seamlessly with hospital electronic medical records. It currently monitors over 150,000 patients annually across healthcare facilities.