Abbott

Product Returns Process Lead (Logistics)

United Kingdom - Witney Full time

JOB DESCRIPTION:

As a result of strong business growth, industry‑leading product development in our biosensor portfolio, and a long‑term commitment to high‑volume manufacturing at our Witney Centre of Excellence, Abbott’s Diabetes Care business has a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Process Lead to join our expanding, highly skilled team, with a particular focus on returned product logistics.

Reporting to the Complaints Manager, this role plays a critical part in the smooth, compliant, and efficient handling of incoming product across the world. You will lead a large, operationally focused team responsible for the receipt, sorting, booking‑in, movement, storage, and disposal of returned products, working closely with affiliates, logistics partners, warehouses, and internal quality and Health & Safety teams.

This is a people‑centric leadership role with a strong operational backbone. You will own end‑to‑end logistics processes for incoming product, ensure systems and suppliers are performing effectively, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen service, compliance, safety and efficiency across the product returns/complaints investigation lifecycle.

What you’ll be doing

  • Lead, manage, and develop a team responsible for incoming product and returns logistics across the product portfolio
  • Oversee booking‑in processes, ensuring accurate, timely receipt of product into internal systems and physical warehouse locations
  • Act as the primary point of contact for global affiliates, managing expectations, resolving issues, and maintaining strong working relationships
  • Manage courier returns and third‑party logistics providers, ensuring compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements
  • Monitor warehouse‑related activities, including storage, product movements, and disposal processes, ensuring audit‑ready standards at all times
  • Track supplier performance and financials, including cost control, invoice validation, and trend analysis
  • Optimise team capability, productivity, and capacity planning through effective people management and process design
  • Ensure all activities are carried out in compliance with divisional regulatory requirements, as well as HSE and EH&S standards
  • Drive clear, proactive communication across Post Market Surveillance, EHS, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams
  • Identify risks, inefficiencies, and bottlenecks within logistics processes and lead continuous improvement initiatives to address them
  • Role‑model Abbott’s values and behaviours, creating a high‑performing, engaged, and accountable team culture

Key areas of responsibility

  • Global courier returns and inbound logistics coordination
  • Booking‑in of incoming product into complaints and logistics systems
  • Product storage, movement, and compliant disposal processes
  • Affiliate communication and issue resolution
  • Supplier management
  • Team development, coaching, and succession planning

Why Abbott Diabetes Care?

At Abbott, you’ll join an organisation that combines cutting‑edge technology with real‑world impact. Our Witney site is at the heart of global operations, supporting millions of people living with diabetes. We invest heavily in our people, our systems, and our leadership — providing the opportunity to make a tangible difference while growing your career in a stable, purpose‑driven environment.

What will you bring?

  • Further or Higher education qualification plus GCSE, or equivalent qualification in Maths and English
  • 2nd line people leadership experience, with a passion for developing high performing teams
  • Experience of working within the Medical Devices industry is preferred

If you’re an experienced people leader with strong logistics, warehouse, or operational expertise — and you thrive in a regulated, fast‑paced setting — this role offers a unique opportunity to shape a critical operational function within a global healthcare leader.

The base pay for this position is

N/A

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

     

JOB FAMILY:

Manufacturing

DIVISION:

ADC Diabetes Care

LOCATION:

United Kingdom > Witney : Production Facility

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

WORK SHIFT:

Standard

TRAVEL:

Yes, 5 % of the Time

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:

Not Applicable

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:

Not Applicable