2027 Graduate Business Excellence Specialist - Orthopedics

Johnson & Johnson announced plans to separate our Orthopaedics business to establish a standalone orthopaedics company, operating as DePuy Synthes. The process of the planned separation is anticipated to be completed within 18 to 24 months, subject to legal requirements, including consultation with works councils and other employee representative bodies, as may be required, regulatory approvals and other customary conditions and approvals. Should you accept this position, it is anticipated that, following conclusion of the transaction, you would be an employee of DePuy Synthes and your employment would be governed by DePuy Synthes employment processes, programs, policies, and benefit plans. In that case, details of any planned changes would be provided to you by DePuy Synthes at an appropriate time and subject to any necessary consultation processes.

DePuy Synthes, Companies of Johnson & Johnson, is the largest, most comprehensive orthopedic and neurological business in the world, built upon the strong legacies of two great companies. 

DePuy Synthes offer an unparalleled breadth and depth of technology, devices, services and programs in the areas of joint reconstruction, trauma, spine, sports medicine, neurological, cranio-maxillofacial, power tools and biomaterials. 

Our broad array of inspired, innovative and high-quality offerings helps advance the health and well-being of people around the world. 

DePuy Synthes, who employ over 1000 people in Cork established its manufacturing facility in Cork in 1997 where it manufactures orthopedic knees and hips. In 2014, DePuy Synthes in Cork won the Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence.

Job Purpose

The mission of the Graduate Business Excellence Specialist is to support the development & implementation of Johnson & Johnson Production System to deliver Best in Class performance, working cross functionally and playing a leading role in fostering a culture of continuous improvement to achieve sustainable high standards of manufacturing performance.

The main responsibility will be to work as part of the Business Excellence team under the guidance of the Business Excellence Manager while participating in the Ireland Graduate program.

The role is based within the Cork site Business Excellence Team which serves the Knees, Hips and shoulder markets while supporting Continuous Improvement activities across all areas of the business.

What you’re great at:

• Interest in Manufacturing processes.
• Interested in learning and how to learn.
• Interested and good at problem solving through critical thinking.
• Willing to take direction from other Business Excellence staff.
• Willing to question and learn from other Business Excellence staff.
• Energetic, enthusiastic and self-motivated.
• Hardworking.
• Great communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willing to work as part of a team towards a common goal.

Education & Experience

Essential:

• Minimum Bachelors degree in Process Excellence/Engineering, Manufacturing or similar engineering/technology bachelors degree.
• Recent Graduate (2026 or due to graduate in 2027)
• Continuous Improvement / Lean Manufacturing systems concept knowledge
• The ability to work well individually and remotely.
• The ability to adapt to change and develop skills to meet these changes.
• High capability with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.)
• Interest in developing skills, abilities, and career.
• Pro-active, can-do attitude. High level of personal initiative, ability to function autonomously and self-confidence.
• Self-starter with ability to create and develop new relationships quickly, and influence/collaborate to get to desired results.
• Results Orientation/Sense of Urgency – ability to drive to tight timelines.
• Data mining / reporting skills.
• Exposure to Project Management Methodology would be an advantage

The anticipated base pay range for this position is:

€34,800.00 - €55,775.00

Benefits:

In addition to base pay, we offer the following benefits*: an annual bonus with set target (% of pay) depending on pay grade / location, where the actual amount is based on the employees’ and companies’ performance of the previous calendar year, or sales commissions. Moreover, we offer vacation days, parental leave for a minimum of 12 weeks, bereavement leave, caregiver leave, volunteer leave, well-being reimbursement, programs for financial, physical and mental health. We also offer service anniversary and recognition awards, and subject to the terms of their respective plans, employees - and in some location’s eligible dependents - can participate in several insurance plans.