Jose Cueto

About Jose Cueto

Program and operations leader with 12+ years in the medical device industry, working across OEMs, contract manufacturers, and global supply networks. I’ve led initiatives through the PMO on manufacturing strategy, cost reduction, supplier development, and process improvement—always focused on balancing technical execution with real business results.My experience covers quality systems, operations, and strategic program leadership in FDA-regulated environments (21 CFR 820). I’m hands-on with Lean Six Sigma, FMEA, RAMS, and root cause analysis, and I’m known for working well across teams, adapting quickly, and keeping complex projects moving forward.Colleagues describe me as grounded, collaborative, and easy to work with—connecting the dots between technical detail and big-picture strategy to get things done

Experience

1. Sr Manager External Contract Manufacturing

   Baxter International Inc.

   Jul 2025 — Present · Atlanta, GA, US

   Directed global strategy and operations for External Contract Manufacturing (ECM) in Baxter’s Medical Products & Therapies segment. Acted as a key strategic leader, driving supplier alignment, operational execution, and cost performance across a diverse manufacturing network for both off-the-shelf and custom-regulated products- Shaped and executed ECM strategy alongside senior leadership, influencing supplier choices, dual sourcing, and long-term capacity planning- Led the ECM governance model, aligning executives on quality, service, cost, and strategic fit for third-party partners- Facilitated margin improvement initiatives with a $20–30M portfolio—validating business cases, ensuring cross-functional alignment, and supporting executive reporting- Steered global risk mitigation and supply continuity, leading scenario planning and crisis response for supply chain disruptions- Fostered collaboration across commercial, supply chain, legal, and procurement to translate business needs into action and craft strong supplier agreements- Guided ECM partner selection, performance reviews, and lifecycle management for smooth launches, rationalizations, and transitions- Championed ECM-related capital planning, securing funding and developing business cases for key investments.This role bridged big-picture strategy with hands-on execution, requiring autonomy, cross-functional influence, and the ability to deliver results in a complex, fast-paced environment-Deep understanding of health system strategy, operations, and governance decision-making-Proven ability to recruit, develop, and mentor high-performing teams-Domain expertise in plastics manufacturing, with broad knowledge of processes, measurement techniques, and critical input variables for quality, cost, schedule, and capacity.

Education

• University of Wolverhampton

  Master of Science (MSc) Advanced Technology Management., Engineering

  2014 — 2015

• Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo

  Engineer's degree, Industrial Engineering

  2008 — 2012