Formulation Production Manager

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc; Irvine, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 121,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Free HSA funds

Fertility offering

401k + profit sharing

Employee stock purchase

Learning opportunities

Education benefits

Parental leave

Pet insurance

Job summary

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. in Irvine, CA seeks a Production Manager to lead the Formulation manufacturing department.

You will ensure safe, reliable, and efficient production aligned with schedules, quality standards and GMP, while driving continuous improvement and staff development. You will partner with Planning, Quality, QA, Manufacturing Eng, Supply Chain, Marketing and R&D to meet objectives, manage budgets and headcount, champion Lean/Six Sigma, and uphold safety and compliance across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Business, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial or related field.
• 8+ years manufacturing production experience in a regulated environment.
• 5-8 years of supervisory/management experience.
• Familiarity with SAP and manufacturing materials systems.
• Effective communication skills.
• PC skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, database software).
• Experience with chemical, instrument or facility production processes and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead all production activities to formulate diagnostic reagents safely and efficiently.
• Maintain batch integrity, process consistency, and manufacturing readiness.
• Direct a team of Production Supervisors, providing coaching and development.
• Ensure GMP, quality systems, and EHS compliance.
• Develop and improve labor standards, processes, and workflows.
• Create and enforce SOPs and work instructions to ensure safe operations.
• Plan and prioritize activities to meet production schedules and inventories.
• Collaborate with Planning, Supply Chain, QA, QC, Mfg Engineering, and R&D.
• Prepare departmental operating budgets, headcount plans, and capacity forecasts.
• Monitor KPIs, investigate issues, and minimize delays and costs.
• Lead Lean and Six Sigma initiatives for productivity and quality.
• Drive cross-functional improvement projects and capital investments.
• Support quality investigations, CAPAs, change control activities.
• Establish KPIs and ensure readiness for audits and inspections.
• Foster teamwork, safety, quality culture, and HR collaboration.
• Support technology transfer and manufacturing readiness for new products.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Change management

Team development

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Business or related field

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

As a Production Manager, you will be responsible for leading the Formulation manufacturing department to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient production of high-quality products in accordance with production schedules, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. This position provides leadership for daily manufacturing operations while driving operational excellence, continuous improvement, and employee development.Working closely with Planning, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Research & Development, the Production Manager ensures production objectives are achieved while maintaining compliance with applicable GMP requirements, company policies, and safety standards.The Production Manager is accountable for production planning and execution, allocation of personnel and equipment resources, schedule adherence, productivity, product quality, and cost performance. This role leads and develops manufacturing personnel, promotes a culture of safety and quality, resolves operational issues, and drives continuous process improvements to meet customer demand and business objectives.

Location: This position must be based in Irvine, Californiaand requires the employee to be located within commuting distance of the office.

How You'll Make An Impact:

• Lead all production activities required to formulate diagnostic reagents for transfer to the Filling department, ensuring products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and in accordance with production schedules, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure consistent and reliable formulation of diagnostic reagents by maintaining batch integrity, process consistency, and manufacturing readiness while supporting uninterrupted downstream filling and finished product production.
• Manage and develop a team of Production Supervisors responsible for direct labor personnel, including assemblers, technicians, and chemists, by providing leadership, coaching, performance management, and employee development.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), quality systems, company policies, and Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) requirements.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve labor standards, manufacturing processes, and production workflows for both new and existing products.
• Develop, revise, and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and manufacturing best practices to support safe, consistent, and compliant operations.
• Plan, coordinate, and prioritize manufacturing activities to achieve production schedules, inventory objectives, and successful new product introductions.
• Partner with Planning, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Manufacturing Engineering, and R&D to optimize production schedules, resolve manufacturing issues, and improve operational performance.
• Prepare and manage departmental operating budgets, headcount plans, salary planning, and capacity forecasts while maintaining cost objectives.
• Monitor production metrics and operating reports to identify trends, resolve manufacturing and equipment issues, and minimize production delays and operating costs.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to improve productivity, quality, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Serve as a change leader by driving cross-functional improvement projects and supporting strategic operational initiatives.
• Improve manufacturing cost structure through increased labor productivity, process optimization, waste reduction, and efficient utilization of personnel and equipment.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to investigate manufacturing deviations, support root cause analysis, implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), and participate in change control activities as appropriate.
• Recommend and support capital equipment investments and facility improvements that increase manufacturing capacity, quality, efficiency, and reliability.
• Establish, monitor, and report departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including schedule attainment, labor efficiency, productivity, yield, quality, and on-time delivery.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and regulatory inspections by ensuring manufacturing operations remain inspection-ready.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, continuous improvement, quality, and safety while addressing employee relations issues in partnership with Human Resources.
• Support technology transfer, process validation, and manufacturing readiness activities for new product launches and process improvements.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Business, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial or related field.
• 8+ years manufacturing production experience, preferably in a regulated environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Proven leadership skills in a Production or Manufacturing environment. Demonstrated change management experiences.
• 5-8 years of supervisory/management experience. Preferably with demonstrated coaching and mentoring experience.
• Familiarity with SAP and other manufacturing materials systems.
• Effective communication skills.
• PC skills (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, database software, internet software, manufacturing software).
• Experience with chemical, instrument or facility production processes, and process equipment.

Total Rewards Package: At Bio-Rad, we’re empowered by our purpose and recognize that our employees are as well. That’s why we offer a competitive and comprehensive Total Rewards Program that provides value, quality, and inclusivity while satisfying the diverse needs of our evolving workforce. Bio-Rad's robust offerings serve to enrich the overall health, wealth, and wellbeing of our employees and their families through the various stages of an employee’s work and life cycle.

Benefits: We’re proud to offer a variety of options, including competitive medical plans for you and your family, free HSA funds, a new fertility offering with stipend, group life and disability, paid parental leave, 401k plus profit sharing, an employee stock purchase program, a new upgraded and streamlined mental health platform, extensive learning and development opportunities, education benefits, student debt relief program, pet insurance, wellness challenges and support, paid time off, Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s), and more!

Compensation: The estimated base salary range for this position is $121,200 - $166,700 at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be provided in writing at the time of offer, if applicable, and is based on several factors we believe fairly and accurately impact compensation, including geographic location, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other job permitted factors. This position is also eligible for a variable annual bonus, which is dependent upon achievement of your individual objectives and Company performance.

Who We Are: For 70 years, Bio-Rad has focused on advancing the discovery process and transforming the fields of science and healthcare. As one of the top five life science companies, we are a global leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing a broad range of high-quality research and clinical diagnostic products. We help people everywhere live longer, healthier lives. Bio-Rad offers a unique employee experience with collaborative teams that span the globe. Here, you are supported by leadership to build your career and are empowered to drive change that makes an impact you can see.

EEO Statement: Bio-Rad is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and we welcome candidates of all backgrounds. Veterans, people with physical or mental disabilities, and people of all race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin and citizenship status are encouraged to apply.

Agency Non-Solicitation: Bio-Rad does not accept agency resumes, unless the agency has been authorized by a Bio-Rad Recruiting Representative. Please do not submit resumes unless authorized to do so. Bio-Rad will not pay for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Legal Entity: (USA_1000)Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.