The Company Worldwide
Founded in 1927, Zimmer Biomet is a global medical technology leader with a comprehensive product portfolio designed to maximize mobility and improve health. With over 17,000 people around the world, the company has operations in more than 25 countries and sells products in more than 100 countries.
The Zimmer Biomet Mission
To alleviate pain and improve the quality of life for people around the world.
Celebrating 15 Years in Shannon
Employing over 800 people in Ireland, the company has two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, located in Shannon, Co Clare and Oranmore, Co Galway, which support the global market. Established in 2008, the Shannon site is now celebrating fifteen years of growth in Ireland with a highly trained workforce living in the surrounding area.
A Story of Growth and Success
The Ireland operations are heavily focused around the use of leading-edge technology, innovation and continuous improvement. The company uses integrated digital and robotic technologies that leverage data, data analytics and artificial intelligence.
“Our team is at the heart of our success,” said David Keane, Site Director, Zimmer Biomet Ireland & UK. “I am proud to say that our operations in Ireland are the standard bearers for the global operations network. We have had a very positive experience of doing business in Ireland. Indeed, we have experienced continued growth in our operations here over the last eighteen months and look to the future with confidence.”
Transforming Patients’ Lives
Both Irish sites specialise in manufacturing orthopaedic implants for knee replacements.
Shannon manufactures the femur, one of the three components required for knee replacement surgery with the other two components produced in Galway. Reflecting on the growth of the Ireland operations, Mike O’Malley, Snr Manufacturing Manager said, “It’s great to be part of an organisation, positively impacting so many people’s lives around the world.”
Helping Employees Reach their Potential
Zimmer Biomet is committed to helping each and every one of its employees reach their full potential in a supportive and friendly atmosphere with a strong focus on people development and further education.
“While we are constantly looking to attract high calibre candidates across all disciplines, I am delighted to say that many of our employees who joined us at the outset have significantly advanced their careers with us over the last fifteen years,” said Breeda Kissane, Human Resources Director.
In addition to a wealth of on-the-job training opportunities and a mentorship programme, Zimmer Biomet also supports its employees to continue their education at institutions such as the University of Limerick, TUS Midwest, NUI Galway and the Atlantic Technology University Galway & Sligo.
Giving Back to the Local Community
The company takes a similar, proactive approach to the local community. Zimmer Biomet plays an active role in Shannon Chamber of Commerce and collaborated recently with the Chamber in hosting a Women’s Inspired Network (WIN) event, attended by people from both the company and the broader business community.
As part of the companies guiding principles “Give back to our communities and people in need” the company is committed to giving back to local causes through donations and employee volunteering with a strong focus on building healthy communities, supporting sick children in Ireland, advancing STEM education and raising environmental awareness. Charities supported include Milford Hospice, Galway Hospice and BUMBLEance, a national charity devoted to transporting extremely ill children or children with life limiting illnesses to their hospital appointments.
Zimmer Biomet and its employees also regularly raise funds for charity events such as Daffodil Day and Darkness into Light, while also marking key dates like Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and International Women’s Day in March.
Suitability
Zimmer Biomet is committed to enhancing our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosures over time. As part of this commitment work is currently under way in both the Shannon and Oranmore sites to install over 4,000 solar panels.
Both sites are certified to the Environmental Management System ISO 14001:2015 and Occupational Health and Safety System ISO 45001:2018.
Mentoring at Local Schools
Likewise, employees are actively involved in giving back to the local community with many volunteering to mentor pupils at local schools through Junior Achievement.
For example, more than 350 children in twelve primary schools across Clare, Galway, Limerick and Tipperary have learned about biodiversity and how to reduce waste, reuse and recycle, thanks to an environmental initiative run by the company as part of the Junior Achievement outreach programme. Under this initiative, dubbed Keen to Keep it Green, the company donated trees and wildflowers and its employees, visited schools to plant trees, wildflowers and run litter clean-ups.
Annual Scholarship Programme for the Children of Employees
In 2021, with the goal of encouraging a new generation to enjoy a career in STEAM, Zimmer Biomet launched an annual scholarship award programme focused on supporting the children or dependents of its employees in both Shannon and Galway.
To date, thirteen students have benefitted from the programme. In addition to paying third-level fees for the academic year, Zimmer Biomet provides participants with opportunities to participate in a summer placement programme to gain hands-on work experience. The Scholars also enjoy peer groups, mentorship and career workshops.
Congratulating the group at a recent recognition ceremony, David Keane said, “This award programme is designed to identify and nurture young talent. We value our team members and the communities within which we operate. We know that they are an important part of our ongoing success in Ireland. This is about paying it forward and building a strong pipeline of talent for the future.”
A Great Place to Work
Zimmer Biomet is a company that values the well-being of its employees and their families. In addition to an onsite gym, regular draws and an active Sports and Social Club, the company hosts an annual Family Day and Kiddies’ Christmas Party, where employees are invited to bring their families along to enjoy food and fun activities together.
Stephen McLoughlin: “Every Day is Different”
Originally from Offaly but now living in Shannon, Stephen joined Zimmer Biomet in 2011 as a Manufacturing Operator. With an interest in mechanics, Stephen decided to study aircraft maintenance after leaving school. He had just completed his studies when he heard from friends that Zimmer Biomet was hiring and that it was a great place to work.
For the next five years, Stephen worked in different areas of the Shannon site, gaining invaluable experience across a range of product lines. He was then promoted to Production Technical Lead, where he worked with the company’s MES systems and was responsible for machine maintenance, ensuring that Manufacturing Operators had all the tools they required.
In October 2017, Stephen was once again promoted to Production Supervisor of the Cleanroom, where he now has twenty-six operators and a Technical Lead reporting to him. The clean room washes the manufactured products before they are transferred to the pack room and sealed prior to shipment. Stephen also serves on the Sports and Social Committee and is actively engaged in driving the company’s volunteering and fundraising CSR work in the community.
According to Stephen, “Every day is different. Over the last twelve years, Zimmer Biomet has given me opportunities above and beyond my wildest expectations. I have completed numerous courses to upskill, ranging from technical content to coaching and interview competency training. With the company’s support, I have completed a BA degree in Management at UL and am currently studying for a Six Sigma Green Belt at Sligo IT. I also enjoy the support of a mentor, who has helped me advance.”
“This is not a job – it’s a career. The benefits are fantastic and you have a massive opportunity to improve people’s lives, advance your career and give back to the local community. Zimmer Biomet has really invested in me and my decision to join has been literally life changing.”
Sarah Radford: “The Opportunities are Amazing”
Originally from Clooney, Sarah now lives in Ennis. In September 2020, Sarah decided to join Zimmer Biomet as a Product Builder. At that point, Sarah had already enrolled in a Diploma in Science and Technology at NUI Galway, a broad course, which covered areas such a product development, production, quality and management. She worked while completing her college course part-time and has since continued to study for a degree, which is set to finish this May.
Sarah believes that her technical qualifications helped fast forward her career as she was promoted to a Quality Tech role, just one year after joining. This was followed by yet another promotion in December 2022, when she was appointed Associate Regulatory Affairs Specialist. In this role, Sarah helps manage any changes to medical devices to ensure compliance with standards, while also providing regulatory advice for any team members initiating engineering and production projects.
When asked if she would recommend Zimmer Biomet as a place to work, Sarah is emphatic in her response, pointing to the fact that she has been promoted twice over a two-and-a-half year period. She says, “If you are ambitious and a good worker, you can really advance your career.”
According to Sarah, the benefits and career development opportunities are amazing. She has participated in a wide range of courses, ranging from technical writing, risk management, Lean and Six Sigma in addition to application training in Excel and PowerPoint. Sarah enjoys the gym onsite and regular company events throughout the year, while also referring to her pride in Zimmer Biomet’s work in the community.
A Rewarding Career
Zimmer Biomet is currently recruiting Product Builders at their Shannon and Oranmore facilities. Previous manufacturing or trade experience, while advantageous, is not essential as full training is provided.
Initially, these are 11-month contracts with Zimmer Biomet’s partner, CareerWise Recruitment. Zimmer Biomet offers a very competitive package once team members are converted.
This is a great opportunity to become part of a company with a heritage of leadership, a focus on the future and a global presence in an exciting and rewarding medical field.
If you are interested in applying for a product builder role please email: productbuilders@careerwise.ie
Meet the Team
Interested in learning more? Come along to our open event on 20th April from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm at the company’s operations, Building 2, Shannon Industrial Estate East. All are welcome!
