The Operations Development Program (ODP) provides aspiring science and engineering professionals with a range of experiences in Baxter’s BioScience division in the United States. The ODP is a 27 month program that is composed of a series of three nine month rotations designed to challenge participants and help shape them into Baxter’s future leaders.
As associates enter the program, each is assigned a mentor, who is generally a senior leader. The designated mentor helps guide associates through their rotations, provides support throughout the duration of the program, and offers career advice and business expertise. In addition, associates are also assigned a peer coach to help introduce them to Baxter’s culture, and the values and goals of the ODP.
Career Growth and Opportunities
Cross-Functional Experience
Graduating from the ODP
Qualifications
Apply Now
Career Growth and Opportunities
ODP Associates rotate through up to three of the following U.S. BioScience locations: Covington, Georgia, Hayward, Los Angeles, and Thousand Oaks, California, and St. Paul, Minnesota. To support the goal of building Baxter’s future leaders, throughout the program, ODP Associates are expected to complete various leadership training programs, including a rotation in a supervisory capacity. Associates may also be requested to complete other development training programs such as: Six Sigma Green Belt, Lead Investigator, Project Management Methodology, etc.
Cross-Functional Experience
The program is designed to provide ODP Associates cross-functional experience to better prepare them for roles within a Manufacturing Plant. Associates are required to complete at least one rotation within Quality and one in Manufacturing. These areas typically include:
- Manufacturing – Bulk, Filling, Packaging
- Quality – Operations, Validation, Laboratory, Compliance
- Support – Engineering, Technical Services, Project Management, Supply Chain
Graduating from the ODP
The knowledge and experience associates gain through each rotation oftentimes results in numerous career opportunities within Baxter. Prior to completing the program, successful program associates typically begin planning their transition to a regular, full-time position within the company. As they do so, they have access to a variety of resources to help with the transition, including the ODP program manager, a career development steering committee, and past ODP supervisors and alumni.
Qualifications
Baxter looks for ODP candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering, a master’s degree in science or engineering is beneficial:
- A grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale);
- Internship/Co-op experience;
- Demonstrated leadership abilities;
- Strong interpersonal skills, and can adapt to and work well with diverse sets of situations and people, including cross cultural adaptation;
- A willingness to travel when required. NOTE: Associates are expected to move to a new business location every nine months (relocation assistance is provided for rotations outside of Southern California.); and
- Key characteristics of Baxter’s leaders, such as critical thinking, decision-making and relationship building skills.
Apply Now
Applications for the program are typically accepted August through December only. The interview process begins in January, with a start date in mid-July.
