Material Change Coordinator
Abbott · New Brighton, MN
- On site
- Full-time
- $122,700 / year
- New Brighton, MN
Job highlights
- Coordinate material changes for external suppliers.
- Drive cost and risk reduction projects.
- Provide technical supplier support and oversight.
- Ensure component quality and supply continuity.
- Work with engineering on design and processes.
About the role
About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
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’ll also have access to:
- Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
- Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
- An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution.
- Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
- 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.
- A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
The Opportunity
This position works out of our St. Paul, MN location in the Abbott Vascular Devices division. Abbott Vascular provides innovative, minimally invasive, and cost-effective products for the treatment of vascular disease.
What You’ll Work On
The Material Change Coordinator is integral to new supplier/component development, driving improvement projects for components sourced from outside suppliers. This role develops acceptance criteria for materials and component qualification at the supplier, provides technical support for supplier change requests, supplier queries, and PPV opportunities, and focuses on cost and risk reductions. Reports through supply chain to ensure continuity of supply and timely PPV implementation.
- Provide technical support to product cost reduction and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Provide engineering oversight, support and consultancy to suppliers on process validations, design for manufacture (DFM), material selection, and process development.
- Identify and prioritize parts (components and assemblies) requiring supplier development activities.
- Work with design engineers and suppliers to optimize design drawings and supplier manufacturing processes so that high quality parts are consistently delivered.
- Review, understand and incorporate technical design risk assessments into the part evaluation process.
- Lead the technical aspects of Problem Solving, Failure Analysis, and Corrective and Preventative Actions with suppliers. Promote a culture of structured problem solving with suppliers.
- Monitor and control the progress of supplier engineering projects to ensure sound application of engineering principles are used and design intent is being followed.
- Assist Supplier Quality Engineering and suppliers to develop Component Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (CFMEA). Responsible for filing the completed documents.
- Assist suppliers in developing final test requirements to ensure products meet specifications. Work with the Incoming Quality Control department to evaluate parts and resolve issues.
- Support throughout component lifecycle including setup as components are launched and deactivation as components sunset.
- Supports initiatives to query suppliers to identify potential risks within components that result from evolving regulations.
- Escalate potential supplier manufacturing and compliance issues. Travel to supplier sites as necessary.
- Provide technical support in failure analysis, re-design and drawing updates for discrepant production components, assemblies and field returns.
Cognitive Skills
Works on problems of moderate scope where analysis of situations or data requires a review of identifiable factors. Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action. Has a broad knowledge of technical alternatives and an understanding of their impact on the systems environment.
Influence/Leadership
Cultivates a wide range of internal networks and begins to develop an extensive external network of resources to facilitate completion of tasks. May lead a project team of moderate scope. Provides guidance to less experienced staff. Acts as a mentor to lower level individual contributors. Influence exerted at peer level and occasionally at first levels of management.
Planning/Organization
Plans, organizes, and prioritizes own daily work routine to meet established schedule.
Decision Making/Impact
Exercises authority and judgment within defined limits to determine appropriate action. Failure to achieve results or erroneous decisions or recommendations may cause delays in program schedules and may result in the allocation of additional resources.
Supervision Received
Works under general supervision. Follows established procedures. Work is reviewed for soundness of technical judgment, overall adequacy and accuracy.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelors Degree (± 16 years) in Engineering preferred
- Masters Degree (± 18 years) - preferred
Experience / Background
- 2-5 years of related work experience with a good understanding of specified functional area.
- Experience with manufacturing processes, including machining, extrusion, molding, welding.
- Experience with GDT (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing), quality measurement technique and use of SolidWorks.
- Experience with process validation, 6-sigma root cause analysis and statistical software such as Minitab or JMP preferred.
Key skills/competency
- Material Change Coordinator
- Supplier Development
- Cost Reduction
- Risk Management
- Process Validation
- Design for Manufacture (DFM)
- Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GDT)
- Root Cause Analysis
- Quality Engineering
- Supply Chain Management
Skills & topics
- Material Change Coordinator
- Engineering
- Supply Chain
- Supplier Development
- Cost Reduction
- Risk Management
- Process Validation
- DFM
- GDT
- Quality
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight engineering experience, manufacturing processes, GDT, and statistical software like Minitab.
- Showcase relevant skills: Emphasize experience with supplier development, cost reduction, and risk management for Material Change Coordinator roles.
- Demonstrate technical acumen: Prepare to discuss your understanding of DFM, process validation, and root cause analysis.
- Research Abbott's values: Align your application with Abbott's commitment to innovation, quality, and improving lives.
- Prepare for technical questions: Be ready to discuss your experience with specific manufacturing processes and quality measurement techniques.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the typical career growth opportunities for a Material Change Coordinator at Abbott?
- At Abbott, a Material Change Coordinator can expect opportunities for career advancement within the supply chain and engineering departments. Your experience in driving cost and risk reduction initiatives, along with supplier management, can position you for roles such as Senior Material Engineer, Supplier Quality Manager, or even project management within the Abbott Vascular Devices division. The company’s global presence and commitment to employee development offer diverse paths for growth.
- What specific manufacturing processes are most important for this Material Change Coordinator role at Abbott?
- For the Material Change Coordinator position at Abbott, experience with manufacturing processes such as machining, extrusion, molding, and welding is highly valued. A strong understanding of these processes will enable you to effectively provide engineering oversight and support to suppliers, ensuring high-quality component delivery and successful process validations.
- How does Abbott support employee education and development for a Material Change Coordinator?
- Abbott offers robust support for employee education and development. For a Material Change Coordinator, this includes tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and the FreeU education benefit, providing paths to obtaining a bachelor's degree. These programs underscore Abbott's commitment to continuous learning and career growth for its employees.
- What is the importance of GDT and SolidWorks for this Material Change Coordinator position?
- Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GDT) and SolidWorks proficiency are crucial for the Material Change Coordinator at Abbott. GDT ensures precise communication of design specifications, while SolidWorks is a key tool for reviewing and optimizing design drawings and manufacturing processes. Your ability to effectively use these in collaboration with design engineers and suppliers is vital for consistent, high-quality part delivery.
- Can a Material Change Coordinator at Abbott work remotely or is it an on-site position?
- The Material Change Coordinator position at Abbott is based out of the St. Paul, MN location. While the description doesn't explicitly state remote work options, the mention of traveling to supplier sites suggests a primary on-site presence with potential for business travel. Abbott typically defines its work arrangements clearly for each role, so checking the specific posting details is recommended.
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