Product Returns Process Lead (Logistics)

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. 

This role is a hands-on people‑centric leadership role with a strong operational backbone.  You will 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.  Through your presence on the ‘shop floor’ you will oversee the booking‑in processes, ensuring accurate, timely receipt of product into internal systems and physical warehouse locations. 

• Act as the primary point of contact , managing expectations, resolving issues, and maintaining strong working relationships with other key functions, e.g. Health and safety, facilities, human Resources, etc.  Manage courier returns, 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. 

• Ensure all activities are carried out in compliance with divisional regulatory requirements, as well as HSE and EH&S standards.   

• Identify inefficiencies, and bottlenecks within the 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.    

• 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 a regulated industry is preferred, e.g. medical device, pharmaceutical, automotive, food, etc.