Alcon Rotational Leadership Program (RADAR)

About the Program

Accelerated RADAR (Rotational Assignments Developing Alcon Resources) is a highly selective leadership development pathway at Alcon for mid-career, high-performing professionals. It is built to fast-track future senior leaders in Manufacturing and Quality who can operate effectively in complex, global, and regulated settings.

Program Structure

• Overall duration is approximately 4 to 5 years.
• The program includes two strategic enterprise rotations of around 24 months each.
• Assignments are chosen to match enterprise priorities and are designed to expand scope, complexity, and decision-making responsibility over time.

Program Purpose

• Strengthen enterprise leadership capability through carefully planned rotations across manufacturing operations, quality, and related functions.
• Provide exposure to international operations, emerging technologies, and regulated environments to build adaptability and systems thinking.
• Prepare high-potential talent for organization-wide impact by deepening technical expertise alongside broader leadership responsibility.
• Support innovation, risk control, and business continuity through strategic workstreams and a capstone project with measurable outcomes.

What Success Looks Like

• Ability to quickly evaluate, influence, and lead within complex global manufacturing and quality systems.
• Strong learning agility when entering new technical, functional, or organizational areas and building trust rapidly.
• Capacity to turn knowledge in manufacturing, quality systems, automation, compliance, and data into improved business, risk, and performance results.
• Confidence in leading cross-functional teams through uncertainty, competing demands, and trade-offs across quality, cost, delivery, and risk.
• Commitment to building lasting organizational strength through governance, talent development, systems, and continuous improvement.
• Progressive growth toward enterprise-level responsibility in preparation for senior leadership in Manufacturing and Quality.

Rotation Examples

Rotation choices will depend on the candidate’s background and experience.

• First rotation: management-level roles in Automation, Manufacturing, Quality, Materials, Supply Chain, MS&T, or Program Management, with emphasis on enterprise exposure, systems understanding, and cross-functional leadership.
• Second rotation: senior leadership roles in Manufacturing Operations, Quality Operations, Compliance, Materials Planning, MS&T, or Automation & Engineering, with focus on end-to-end ownership, strategic decisions, and critical business outcomes.

Each rotation is intended to increase responsibility and prepare participants for future senior leadership positions in Manufacturing or Quality.

Who This Program Is For

This opportunity is meant for individuals who explicitly want to build a career toward senior leadership in operations and/or quality and who are ready, over time, to take on full-site or enterprise accountability.

Program Support and Development

Participants are supported by a Steering Committee, HR Program Managers, an Executive Mentor, and local mentors, helping them build a strong network across the company.

• Mentor pairing
• Cohort-based experience
• Access to senior leaders
• End-of-assignment and cohort presentations
• Leadership development training, coaching, and assessments

Selection Process

• Nomination by senior leadership
• Behavioural interviews focused on enterprise thinking
• Scenario-based assessments covering ambiguity, systems thinking, and technical trade-offs
• Placement aligned to succession priorities across the business
• Internal candidates must show strong performance ratings (4/5). They must be nominated by a Senior Leader and should already have endorsement from the local HR Site Head, manager, General Manager, and Quality Site Head before applying.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience; accepted equivalencies include high school plus 10 years, associate degree plus 6 years, or master’s degree with 0 years.
• At least 5 years of strong leadership experience and a solid track record of performance.
• Proven ability to lead change, encourage innovation, and influence Alcon’s culture.
• Demonstrated success across multiple leadership cycles in a professional business environment.
• Working knowledge of data, automation, and digital/AI technologies.
• Excellent problem-solving, organizing, communication, and analytical abilities.
• Self-driven, strategic, and comfortable operating in ambiguous situations.
• Global perspective and strong comfort with technology.
• Fluent ability to read, write, understand, and communicate in English.
• Applicants must be citizens of the country where they currently work for Alcon.
• Must be fully mobile for the duration of the program, typically 4 to 5 years, including relocation, travel, and any international assignment requirements.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• Strong self-motivation, analytical ability, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Proven leadership capability.
• Background in MTO/QRA, engineering, manufacturing, or quality.
• Interest in improving performance in a fast-moving manufacturing environment.
• Experience applying data, AI, and automation in business settings.
• Exposure to project management, Lean/Six Sigma, and regulatory compliance.
• Internal associates must have at least 1 year of tenure at Alcon; other factors may also be considered.
• Scientific education is preferred.
• Recognition as a high performer with leadership potential.

Additional Information

This role is part of Alcon’s talent pool for future opportunities and is not an active recruitment opening at this time. Interested candidates may submit their CV or resume for future consideration.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodation

Alcon is an equal opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. The company promotes an inclusive workplace and does not discriminate in hiring, training, promotion, or other employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Reasonable accommodation is available for applicants with disabilities; requests can be made by email and should include the nature of the request and contact information.