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Senior Director of Operations - Job Opportunity at Oticon Medical

Vallauris, France
Full-time
Executive
Posted: August 6, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 180,000 - 250,000 annually plus substantial performance bonuses and equity participation. This executive-level position in the French medical device sector, particularly within the prestigious Sophia Antipolis region, commands premium compensation reflecting the specialized expertise required in Class III medical device operations and global distribution strategy.

Benefits

Flexible working hours allowing for optimal work-life balance and accommodation of personal commitments
Hybrid work model with part-time teleworking options providing modern workplace flexibility
Standard 39-hour work week offering better work-life balance compared to typical 40+ hour executive positions
International exposure through regular travel to group companies and strategic partners
Opportunity to work in the prestigious Sophia Antipolis technology park in southern France

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive operations excellence across ITSA Medical's high-precision manufacturing of Class III implantable medical devices, ensuring world-class quality standards that directly impact patient outcomes
Architect and execute global distribution strategy for Oticon Medical's complete product portfolio, establishing the company's worldwide market presence and accessibility
Drive strategic operations transformation initiatives that will shape Oticon Medical's future competitive positioning and operational capabilities
Orchestrate complex cross-functional leadership spanning production, engineering, supply chain, quality assurance, and new product introduction processes
Establish and maintain financial discipline through strategic budget development, cost optimization, and performance accountability across all operational functions
Champion regulatory compliance and quality system excellence ensuring adherence to stringent medical device manufacturing standards
Spearhead new product industrialization and market introduction processes, translating R&D innovations into scalable commercial manufacturing
Build and optimize global supplier networks and sourcing strategies that ensure supply chain resilience and cost effectiveness
Guarantee on-time delivery performance to international distributors and customers, maintaining Oticon Medical's market reputation
Lead organizational growth initiatives including insourcing of global distribution operations and expansion of manufacturing capabilities

Requirements

Education

Masters degree/Bac+5 in science or engineering degree

Experience

Significant experience of more than 10 years in an operations leadership role in the pharmaceutical and/or medical industries

Required Skills

Good technical knowledge, manufacturing processes, an industrial environment Good knowledge of regulatory requirements related to the pharmaceutical and/or medical implant industry Proven experience of accounting/finance Excellent leadership and management skills Proven experience in general organization management Good ability to analyze complex situations and make decisions Influencing the organization and/or management in order to achieve results Good communication skills Fluent in French and English
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The global hearing aids and implants market is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by aging populations worldwide, with bone-anchored hearing systems representing a rapidly expanding segment as surgical techniques improve and patient awareness increases. This growth is creating intense demand for operational leaders who can scale manufacturing while maintaining the stringent quality standards required for Class III medical devices. Digital transformation in medical device manufacturing is revolutionizing operations through Industry 4.0 technologies, IoT-enabled production monitoring, and AI-driven quality control systems. Companies are seeking operations leaders who can navigate this technological evolution while ensuring regulatory compliance across multiple international markets. Regulatory harmonization efforts across global markets, particularly with the EU MDR implementation and evolving FDA guidelines, are creating complex operational challenges that require sophisticated compliance management and cross-border manufacturing strategies. Supply chain resilience has become critical following recent global disruptions, with medical device companies prioritizing leaders who can build robust, diversified supplier networks and implement risk mitigation strategies while maintaining cost effectiveness.

Role Significance

The position involves leading a complex multi-functional organization spanning approximately 50-100 professionals across production, engineering, supply chain, quality, IT, and administrative functions. Additionally, the role encompasses global distribution coordination involving multiple international partners and subsidiary operations.
This is a senior executive position with substantial organizational impact, reporting directly to the VP level and carrying full P&L responsibility for both manufacturing operations and global distribution strategy. The role combines operational excellence with strategic business development, positioning the incumbent as a key architect of Oticon Medical's global expansion and operational transformation initiatives.

Key Projects

Implementation of next-generation manufacturing technologies and automation systems to enhance production capacity and quality consistency Global distribution network optimization and insourcing initiatives to improve market responsiveness and cost structure New product introduction programs involving complex industrialization processes for innovative hearing implant technologies Supply chain digitization and risk management initiatives to ensure business continuity and regulatory compliance Operational excellence programs focused on lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies

Success Factors

Demonstrated ability to balance operational excellence with strategic innovation, ensuring current manufacturing performance while building capabilities for future growth and product diversification Deep understanding of medical device regulatory landscapes across multiple international markets, with proven track record of maintaining compliance during operational scaling and geographic expansion Financial acumen combined with operational expertise, enabling effective cost management, budget development, and investment prioritization in a capital-intensive manufacturing environment Cross-cultural leadership capabilities essential for managing international operations, supplier relationships, and distribution partnerships across diverse regulatory and business environments Change management expertise required to lead organizational transformation initiatives while maintaining operational stability and employee engagement during periods of significant business evolution

Market Demand

Exceptionally high demand exists for senior operations executives with medical device manufacturing expertise, particularly those with experience in implantable devices and global distribution networks. The specialized nature of bone-anchored hearing systems and the regulatory complexity of Class III devices creates a limited talent pool, making qualified candidates highly sought after.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Regulatory compliance expertise is absolutely essential given the Class III medical device classification and global distribution requirements. The ability to navigate complex international regulatory landscapes while maintaining operational efficiency directly impacts business viability and patient safety. Financial management and cost optimization skills are critical for success in the capital-intensive medical device manufacturing environment. The ability to balance quality requirements with cost effectiveness determines both competitive positioning and profitability. Cross-cultural leadership and communication abilities are fundamental for managing international operations, supplier relationships, and distribution partnerships across diverse markets and regulatory environments. Strategic thinking combined with operational execution capability is essential for driving the dual mandate of maintaining manufacturing excellence while building new distribution capabilities and expanding product scope.

Beneficial Skills

Digital transformation and Industry 4.0 expertise would provide significant advantages in modernizing manufacturing processes and implementing next-generation operational technologies Mergers and acquisitions experience could prove valuable as the company continues to evaluate strategic growth opportunities and potential partnerships in the hearing health market Supply chain risk management and business continuity planning expertise has become increasingly important following recent global disruptions and supply chain challenges Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies would enhance operational efficiency and support the company's quality and cost optimization objectives

Unique Aspects

This role uniquely combines hands-on manufacturing operations leadership with global distribution strategy development, providing comprehensive exposure to both supply chain and go-to-market operations
The position offers direct involvement in the cutting-edge field of implantable hearing technologies, working with Class III medical devices that require the highest levels of precision and quality control
Opportunity to lead the insourcing of global distribution operations, essentially building a new business capability while optimizing existing manufacturing excellence
The role provides exposure to both established product lines and new product introduction processes, offering insights into the complete product lifecycle from R&D through commercial manufacturing
Unique geographic positioning in Sophia Antipolis offers access to one of Europe's most dynamic technology ecosystems while serving global markets

Career Growth

Career advancement to C-suite positions typically occurs within 3-5 years for successful candidates, given the high-visibility nature of this role and the critical importance of operational excellence in the medical device industry. The global scope and P&L responsibility provide excellent preparation for broader executive leadership opportunities.

Potential Next Roles

Chief Operating Officer (COO) for medical device companies seeking comprehensive operational leadership across multiple product lines and geographic markets Chief Executive Officer opportunities within mid-sized medical technology companies, particularly those focused on hearing health or implantable device technologies Senior Vice President of Global Operations for larger medical device corporations looking to expand their international manufacturing and distribution capabilities Strategic consulting roles with top-tier firms specializing in medical device operational excellence and market expansion strategies

Company Overview

Oticon Medical

Oticon Medical operates as a specialized division within the broader Oticon hearing health ecosystem, focusing specifically on surgical hearing solutions and bone-anchored hearing systems. The company represents a significant player in the implantable hearing device market, with strong R&D capabilities and an established global presence through its network of subsidiaries and distribution partners.

The company maintains a strong competitive position in the bone-anchored hearing systems market, competing with established players like Cochlear and Med-El while leveraging the broader Oticon brand recognition and technological expertise. The ITSA Medical facility in Sophia Antipolis represents a significant strategic investment in European manufacturing capabilities and global distribution infrastructure.
The Sophia Antipolis location positions Oticon Medical within one of Europe's premier technology and life sciences clusters, providing access to specialized talent, research institutions, and advanced manufacturing capabilities. This location serves as both a manufacturing hub and a strategic center for European market development and regulatory affairs.
The company culture emphasizes innovation, quality excellence, and patient impact, typical of premium medical device manufacturers. The international nature of operations fosters a collaborative, multicultural work environment with emphasis on cross-border teamwork and global perspective development.
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