Vice President, Commercial Operations

Job Description

The Role

The Vice President of Commercial Operations will provide strategic and operational direction for Agilent’s global Commercial organization, which includes Sales, Services, Commercial Marketing, Digital & Analytics and Customer Operations. This leader will oversee a recently formed organization of more than 1,000 professionals focused on five key pillars: commercial strategy/compensation management, process technology & tools, commercial operations & data, customer-facing operations, and commercial governance & controls.  They will continue driving operational transformation as Agilent evolves from a product-driven company to a customer-focused enterprise. The role is critical to delivering Agilent’s brand promise and ensuring the company’s future success.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience operating across global regions and a proven track record of driving customer success, growth, and profitability. A deep understanding of customer needs in a rapidly changing global market is essential, along with the ability to incorporate global strategies that strengthen customer satisfaction and advance technology-driven customer services. This leader must also demonstrate success in building and engaging high-performing teams.

The Vice President of Commercial Operations will champion efficiency, effectiveness, and a customer-first mindset across the organization. This leader will ensure Agilent’s strategic priorities are translated into measurable business outcomes worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and set the vision for a diverse, global team of professionals; oversee strategic planning, execution, and outcomes for the full Commercial Operations organization, ensuring alignment with Agilent’s vision, mission, and values.

• Collaborate across functions to operate effectively within a matrix organization, maintaining a strong customer-first focus.

• Direct and influence cross-functional initiatives related to sales, service, and operations processes and performance, ensuring objectives are achieved on time and within budget.

• Build and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of talent development and succession planning at all levels.

• Champion the Voice of the Customer, embedding customer insights into all aspects of the business to ensure customer interests remain central.

• Maintain a deep understanding of market dynamics, including competitive landscape and evolving customer trends.

• Monitor scientific and industry trends, partnering with the executive team to identify new opportunities and enhance business and customer experiences.

• Stay informed on global legal, social, and economic conditions that may impact company operations and proactively adapt strategies as needed.

Qualifications

Experience

• 15+ years of life sciences, medical device or diagnostic experience within a capital-equipment and consumables intensive business.

• Global Operations Experience: Working in positions of increasing operations responsibility, leading teams in multiple regions including AFO, EMEAI and Asia Pacific. 

• A proven track record of driving profitable growth and operations efficiencies and introducing technology-minded solutions.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

Leadership Capabilities

Driving Results: In an organization committed to sustaining growth and maintaining strong customer-centric position, this leader:

• Enhance operational processes to accelerate results and elevate customer experiences.

• Proactively improves workflows, driving quality and productivity through efficiencies and best-in-class solutions.

• Enables higher performance by introducing incremental improvements based on calculated risk-taking.

• Benchmarks performance against industry best practices and consistently deliver results that exceed peer standards.

Acting Strategically: In the context of creating differentiated customer solutions and driving continuous improvement, this leader:

• Develops a two-to-three-year roadmap to implement enterprise strategy within their area of responsibility.

• Identifies and prioritizes critical future factors that influence decision-making.

• Plans for external changes and trends—including competitors, clients, technology, and market dynamics—that impact the business.

• Considers enterprise-wide implications, ensuring strategies account for effects beyond their immediate area, location, function, or mar