Senior Manager of Operations
Newark, DE
Join Romer Labs, a global leader in food and feed safety solutions, where innovation, quality, and customer focus drive everything we do. As Senior Manager of Operations, you will serve as the site leader, driving operational excellence across manufacturing, quality, safety, and customer delivery. This role offers the opportunity to lead a high-performing team, optimize plant performance, and champion continuous improvement in a regulated environment. If you are a hands-on operations leader with a passion for developing people, improving processes, and delivering results, we'd love to hear from you.
This position supports our Romer Labs division, a global leader in innovative diagnostic solutions for food and feed safety. With a focus on mycotoxins, food allergens, GMOs, and microbial contaminants. Discover more at Romer Labs - Making the World's Food Safer
Your key responsibilities
-
Lead all site operations and manufacturing activities, ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and performance objectives are consistently achieved.
-
Drive operational excellence through continuous improvement, process optimization, cost-efficiency initiatives, and performance management.
-
Partner with Product Management, R&D, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to support new product introductions, operational initiatives, and business goals.
-
Oversee supply chain, procurement, logistics, and inventory management to ensure reliable product availability and cost-effective operations.
-
Ensure compliance with all quality, GMP+, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements while maintaining audit readiness.
-
Develop and lead high-performing teams through coaching, performance management, employee development, and succession planning.
We offer
-
Unique career paths across health, nutrition and beauty - explore what drives you and get the support to make it happen
-
A chance to impact millions of consumers every day – sustainability embedded in all we do
-
A science led company, cutting edge research and creativity everywhere – from biotech breakthroughs to sustainability game-changers, you’ll work on what’s next
-
Growth that keeps up with you – you join an industry leader that will develop your expertise and leadership
-
A culture that lifts you up – with collaborative teams, shared wins, and people who cheer each other on.
-
A community where your voice matters – it is essential to serve our customers well.
You bring
-
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Biotechnology, or a related field.
-
8+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or operations within a regulated environment such as food, biotech, diagnostics, or life sciences.
-
Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and driving operational performance in a manufacturing setting.
-
Strong understanding of quality systems, GMP+, ISO, or comparable regulatory frameworks.
-
Demonstrated success in budget management, cost control, process improvement, and operational excellence initiatives.
-
Lean/Six Sigma certification and SAP/ERP experience are preferred.
The salary or hourly wage scale provided reflects the pay range dsm-firmenich expects to pay the successful candidate for the position. Individual pay offered will be based on the applicant’s job-related skills, experience, relevant education, or training, and primary work location. Salary $135,000-$160,000.
In addition to base salary, we also offer a comprehensive total rewards package, inclusive of annual incentive pay, a retirement savings plan, health care coverage, paid time off, recognition programs and a broad range of other benefits. All benefits and incentives are subject to eligibility requirements.
About dsm-firmenich
At dsm-firmenich, we don’t just meet expectations – we go beyond them.
Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.
From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions – every single day. Whether it’s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that’s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.
And while you’re making a difference, we’ll make sure you’re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They’re essential to our future.
Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.
Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement
At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work – and that’s exactly the kind of culture we’re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.
We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we’re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we’re committed to reflecting the world we serve.
We welcome candidates from all backgrounds — no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.
And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we’re here to help – just let us know what you need, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work.
Agency statement
We’re managing this search directly at dsm-firmenich. If you’re applying as an individual, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not accepting agency submissions or proposals involving fees or commissions for this role.
