ABOUT THE ROLE
The Production Operations Manager leads day-to-day manufacturing operations at Adept Life Sciences, ensuring production runs efficiently, safely, and in full compliance with GMP and regulatory requirements. This role oversees production supervisors, schedules and coordinates work orders across departments, and partners closely with Quality, R&D, and Purchasing to keep the plant running smoothly. The Production Manager plays a critical role in translating client orders into finished, high-quality product, on time and at scale. Scheduled work hours for this position are 6am-3:30pm M-F.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES
Production Planning & Scheduling
- Develop and manage the daily, weekly, and monthly production schedule across all manufacturing lines (Weigh/Blend, Solid Dose, Packaging, and others).
- Coordinate with Customer Services and Purchasing to align production schedules with client orders, material availability, and lead times.
- Monitor production capacity and labor allocation to meet output and turnaround-time goals.
- Adjust schedules proactively in response to material delays, equipment downtime, or staffing changes.
Floor Operations & Supervision
- Directly supervise Production Supervisors and provide leadership across all shifts and departments.
- Oversee daily floor operations, ensuring production runs efficiently and meets quality, safety, and throughput targets.
- Conduct regular floor walks to identify bottlenecks, safety concerns, or quality issues before they escalate.
- Ensure line clearance, changeovers, and batch documentation are completed accurately and on schedule.
Quality & Compliance
- Partner with Quality Assurance to ensure all production activities comply with cGMP (21 CFR Part 111) and company SOPs.
- Support investigations into deviations, non-conformances, and out-of-specification results originating from production.
- Ensure batch records are completed accurately and in real time by production staff.
- Champion a culture of quality and compliance on the production floor.
Team Leadership & Development
- Hire, train, coach, and develop Production Supervisors and floor staff.
- Set clear performance expectations and conduct regular one-on-ones and performance reviews.
- Identify training needs and ensure staff are cross-trained to maintain flexible, resilient production coverage.
- Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement across the production team.
Continuous Improvement & Reporting
- Track and report key production metrics, including throughput, labor efficiency, downtime, and job-costing accuracy.
- Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and improve on-time delivery.
- Partner with R&D and Quality on scale-up and technology transfer of new products into full production.
- Manage production equipment maintenance schedules in partnership with Maintenance to minimize downtime.
Safety & Facility
- Ensure compliance with OSHA and other workplace safety requirements across the production floor.
- Promote a safety-first culture, including proper use of PPE and adherence to safety protocols.
- Support facility cleanliness, organization, and GMP-compliant housekeeping standards.
General & Administrative
- Manage production department budgets, labor costs, and overtime in coordination with senior leadership.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Quality, R&D, Purchasing, Warehouse, and Customer Services to support company objectives.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the Production department and company objectives.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
Throughput & Efficiency
- Production schedules are met consistently, with minimal downtime or missed deadlines.
- Labor and capacity planning keep pace with client demand without excessive overtime.
Quality & Compliance
- Batch records and production documentation are accurate, complete, and audit-ready.
- Deviations and non-conformances trend downward, with root causes addressed effectively.
Team & Safety
- Production Supervisors and floor staff are well-trained, engaged, and held to consistent standards.
- The production floor maintains a strong safety record with minimal incidents.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
EDUCATION
- Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred; equivalent manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.
SKILLS REQUIRED
- 5+ years of experience in a production or manufacturing leadership role, preferably within nutraceutical, dietary supplement, food, or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Strong working knowledge of GMP requirements (21 CFR Part 111 and/or Part 117) and manufacturing compliance standards.
- Proven ability to manage production schedules, labor planning, and capacity across multiple lines or departments.
- Strong leadership skills with experience supervising supervisors or multi-level teams.
- Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and ERP/production scheduling systems.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly across all levels of the organization.
- Maintain a regular and dependable attendance record with the ability to commit to at least 40 hours weekly, including flexibility to support production needs.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE (NOT REQUIRED)
- Experience in a contract manufacturing environment serving multiple clients or brands.
- Experience with technology transfer or new product scale-up.
- Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement certification or experience.
Pay: From $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- What are your pay expectations for this position?
Work Location: In person
