Department Manager - Product & Process Development US

Novonesis; West Allis (WI); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with up to 9% company

Vacation time + holidays + Wellness

Health, Dental, Vision & Life

HSA option

Employee assistance program

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Benefits start day one

Job summary

Novonesis in West Allis, WI seeks a Manager, Process Optimization US to lead a team of 5-10 scientists and drive LAB culture process improvements across Dairy, Human Health, Meat, Yeast and Animal Health. You will partner with Product Development, Operations and Quality to deliver measurable outcomes.

The role is based primarily in West Allis with a hybrid model, and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bioprocessing or related field.
• 5+ years of LAB culture-related experience.
• Strong knowledge of LAB production processes and optimization techniques.
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams effectively.
• Strong project management, planning and time management.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with cross-functional teams across global sites is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and support a team of 5-10 scientists, specialists and/or project managers, creating clarity, focus and strong team development.
• Own and drive the optimization portfolio in close collaboration with the team and leadership team, ensuring progress and measurable results.
• Drive process optimization initiatives and support production processes across laboratory and production site environments.
• Collaborate with CMO Business Management, Product Management Team, local Production and Product and Process Development on product portfolio and performance.
• Provide scientific direction and support to site scientists in process optimization-related projects.
• Build strong cross-functional cooperation across Novonesis, including interfaces such as Commercial Development, Innovation, QC IT, Global Engineering and Corporate Quality Management.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

Lab culture processes

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Microbiology/Biotechnology/Bioprocessing

PhD in Microbiology/Biotechnology/Bioprocessing

Tools

Process optimization tools

Lean or Six Sigma

Job description

Interested in a career that matters?

Are you ready to lead process optimization work with global impact across cultures and biosolutions? In this role, you will join the center of excellence for process technology in Process and Product Development (PPD), supporting product and process optimizations for Living Active Bacteria cultures across Dairy, Human Health, Meat, Yeast and Animal Health.

Are you ready to lead process optimization work with global impact across cultures and biosolutions? In this role, you will join the center of excellence for process technology in Process and Product Development (PPD), supporting product and process optimizations for Living Active Bacteria cultures across Dairy, Human Health, Meat, Yeast and Animal Health.

As Manager, Process Optimization US, you will help connect Product and Process Development, Operations, manufacturing sites and key cross-functional partners to deliver measurable improvements across the culture value chain.

The role & your impact

As Manager, Process Optimization US, you will lead a team of 5 to 10 scientists, specialists and/or project managers focused on process optimization, production support and continued development of LAB culture-related processes.

This is a global role with responsibility for Culture LABs in the US, based primarily in the West Allis/Milwaukee office, and with close collaboration across Product and Process Development, Operations and commercial and quality interfaces.

Your Key Responsibilities In This Role

• Lead, develop and support a team of 5-10 scientists, specialists and/or project managers, creating clarity, focus and strong team development.
• Own and drive the optimization portfolio in close collaboration with the team and leadership team, ensuring progress and measurable results.
• Drive process optimization initiatives and support production processes across laboratory and production site environments.
• Collaborate with CMO Business Management, Product Management Team, local Production and Product and Process Development on product portfolio and performance.
• Provide scientific direction and support to site scientists in process optimization-related projects.
• Build strong cross-functional cooperation across Novonesis, including interfaces such as Commercial Development, Innovation, QC IT, Global Engineering and Corporate Quality Management.

What you’ll need to be successful in this role

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bioprocessing or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in LAB culture-related roles.
• Strong knowledge of LAB production processes and optimization techniques.
• Proven ability to lead and manage diverse teams effectively.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, organization and time management.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.

Additional Skills & Interests We Value

• A Ph.D. in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bioprocessing or a related field.
• Proficiency in process optimization tools or software.
• Familiarity with Lean or Six Sigma principles.
• Experience working across global teams, manufacturing sites and cross-functional stakeholder groups.

What We Offer You

You will be part of a global function with significant business impact across Product and Process Development and Operations.

You will work in a collaborative environment that connects PPD, manufacturing sites, Operations and key partners across the culture value chain, giving you the opportunity to influence optimization work across multiple LAB culture areas.

You will also have the opportunity to lead and develop a team of scientific experts while contributing to solutions rooted in biology that support Novonesis’ purpose.

Working conditions

• Role is based in West Allis, WI (Hybrid)
• Travel is expected approximately twice per year

Compensation & Benefits

• Expected base salary: $130,000 – 150,000, dependent on experience
• 401(k) with up to a 9% company contribution
• Minimum of 3 weeks of vacation plus 12 holidays and 2 weeks of Wellness Time
• Health, Dental, Vision & Life insurance
• Healthcare savings account option
• Employee assistance program
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• All benefits begin on your first day

Application deadline: November 10, 2026

Our purpose guides the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.

Opportunities for everyone

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Explore Other Openings

If this position isn’t the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You’re welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities at novonesis.com/Career