Barbara Schaffner

I’m an incredibly curious person, always eager to learn and take things to the next level. I’m experienced in leading people and programs with exceptional dedication and passion, remaining calm, analytical, respectful, and goal-oriented even under highly challenging circumstances. This approach has led to a proven track record of reliably steering even high-risk endeavors to success.

I have a scientific background spanning from studies in Computational, Physical, and Analytical Chemistry to a PhD in technical method development in the area of Biophysics. Over the past 12 years, however, I have worked as a leader collaborating with engineers, experts in manufacturing, regulatory, quality, procurement, customer service, finance, and supply chain, as well as with external suppliers and senior management.

Outside of work, I play the violin in an orchestra, grow my own vegetables, and enjoy spending time outdoors and with family and friends.

Operations Lead and Program Leader across multiple areas at Roche Diagnostics and Texan, responsible for driving novel, innovative medical and research diagnostics products from engineering to production and market readiness. Experienced in industrializing products, building up supply chains, establishing manufacturing and quality control testing, and working cross-functionally to define, shape, and scale organizations and products. Currently focused on globally driving product and process cost efficiency both in-house and with external suppliers.

Details

Global Material Cost Optimization Program Lead at Roche Diagnostics International (2025-01 – Present)

• Leads a global program to reduce material cost across the product portfolio.
• Shaped a cross-functional organization to drive efficient execution of projects.
• Part of the extended global direct procurement leadership team.

Improvement Program Lead "Jolly Jumper" at the Instrument Operations Network at Roche Diagnostics International (2025-01 – 2026-12)

• Established creative ways to execute product and process improvements efficiently.
• Executed fast cost down projects while maintaining execution of other focus priorities.

Global Operations Lead for diagnostics automation and sequencing platforms (AXELIOS 1) at Roche Diagnostics International (2018-01 – 2025-12)

• Defined and built up efficient global organizations.
• Led complex cross-border organizations to bring new products to market readiness.
• Developed several employees to leaders that are now active across the organization.
• Comfortable connecting to all levels, from shop floor to upper management.
• Ramped-up extensive collaboration with the external partners.
• Responsible for flagship programs with Operations-specific budget responsibility of more than 60M CHF, and expected yearly 9-digit revenue impact.

Line Manager for the Engineering Team of Sensor Quality Control - Bloodgas Sensors at Roche Diagnostics International (2021-01 – 2022-12)

In parallel to Global Operations Lead

• Cared for a highly diverse team through challenging times as line manager.
• Coached team members from contributor to leader, through personal challenges, to retirement, and returning from sick leave to fully motivated and productive.
• Shaped and executed transformation of QC Engineering to MSAT integration.

Operations Product Leader at Roche Diagnostics International for Helveting (2015-01 – 2018-12)

Engineering Consulting Contractor as part of a cross-engineering company, working in different functions at Tecan and Roche Diagnostics with increasing management responsibility.

• Led in parallel two interdisciplinary product teams, each with 12 experts and leaders with functions in: development, manufacturing, procurement, customer support, marketing, quality, regulatory, and global supply chain.
• Slashed cost while drastically reducing quality issues and improving performance.
• Boosted sales with highly efficient serial lifecycle updates.
• Launched in parallel with another team a laboratory automation product.
• Empowered and inspired teams to discover their creativity and agility.

Production Validation Engineer at Tecan at Tecan for Helveting (2014-01 – 2014-12)

Catalyzed the collaboration between Operations and Development in the final sprint phase of the development of a blood analyzer. Critical flag-ship project for Tecan.

• Bridged between manufacturing, R&D and quality for fast improvement cycles.
• Transformed relationship between departments to friendly connected and efficient problem-solving.
• Industrialized product/processes facilitating hundreds of resolutions and improvements.
• Led the validation and qualification of the production for launch readiness.

Various positions at Several (2013-01 – 2017-12)

Started early on to collect highly diverse work experiences, for curiosity and to earn some extra money, on farms, in factories, in sales, in NGO campaigning, as a waiter, tutor, or high school teacher.

International Executive MBA – University of St. Gallen, Executive School (2022 – 2025)

Doctor of Sciences (Dr. Sc. ETH Zurich) – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) (2009 – 2013)

Master of Science ETH in Chemistry – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) (2006 – 2008)

Bachelor of Science ETH in Chemistry – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) (2002 – 2007)