Manager, Manufacturing Operations - 2nd shift

Catalent; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Catalent's Kansas City facility is seeking a Manager, Manufacturing Operations - 2nd shift to lead second-shift cGMP manufacturing, ensuring on-time, right-first-time production and safety compliance.

You will supervise front-line Supervisors, resolve technical and workflow issues, and partner with HR and cross-functional teams to build capability and achieve daily production commitments.

Shift: M-Th 1:30pm-12am; 100% onsite in Kansas City, MO.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and extensive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Minimum of 7 years in regulated manufacturing, including at least 3 years leading people.
• Working knowledge of cGMP, batch records, CAPA, and Quality-Operations partnership.
• Strong problem-solving and independent decision-making during off-shift hours.

Responsibilities

• Lead all second-shift manufacturing activities to meet daily production commitments.
• Serve as senior operations decision-maker on shift and resolve issues promptly.
• Ensure smooth shift handoffs and continuity of issues, deviations, and priorities.
• Support 24/7 operations and weekend coverage as needed.
• Ensure compliance with cGMP, OSHA, environmental and safety standards.
• Oversee training, procedures, and right-first-time batch records.
• Define and execute CAPA in response to deviations and audits.
• Develop front-line Supervisors and succession plans.
• Partner with HR on recruitment, retention and workforce planning.
• Drive Lean and continuous improvement to improve throughput and cost efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Problem-solving

Data-driven decision making

Communication skills

Collaboration across functions

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Business, or a related discipline

Tools

ERP systems

Electronic quality systems

Job description

About Site

Catalent's Kansas City facility is home to our Oral & Specialty Drug Delivery, Biologics Analytical Services and Clinical Supply Services businesses.

Position Summary

We have an opportunity for a Manager, Manufacturing Operations - 2nd shift to join our team. This role leads second-shift cGMP manufacturing at the Kansas City site, ensuring quality products are produced on time and in full compliance with safety and regulatory standards. The position oversees front-line Supervisors and their teams, driving performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and engagement. As the senior leader on site during the second shift, this role makes real-time operational decisions, fosters collaboration across departments, and builds leadership capability for future growth.

Shift: M-Th 1:30pm-12am

Location: Kansas City, MO

100% Onsite

The Role

• Lead all second-shift manufacturing activities, ensuring schedule adherence, effective resource deployment, and achievement of daily production commitments.
• Serve as the senior operations decision-maker on shift; resolve workflow, processing, equipment, and utility issues and escalation significant risks promptly.
• Ensure disciplined shift-to-shift handoff, communication, and continuity of open issues, deviations, and priorities.
• Support 24/7 operations, including flexibility for coverage across shifts and weekends as business needs require.
• Ensure compliance with all cGMP, OSHA, environmental, and Catalent safety standards; proactively identify and correct unsafe conditions and behaviors.
• Ensure Supervisors and operators are trained and executing to approved operating and cleaning procedures and applicable regulations.
• Ensure batch records are complete, accurate, and right first time.
• Define and execute corrective and preventive actions in response to deviations and internal, regulatory, and client audit findings; meet commitments on time.
• Maintain the facility in a tour-ready state at all times; support regulatory agency and client audits and on-site visits.
• Manage and develop front‑line Supervisors and their teams, including selection, onboarding, performance evaluation, coaching, and discipline.
• Build supervisory capability and succession depth; identify high-potential talent and create development plans for growth.
• Partner with Human Resources on recruitment, retention, training, engagement, and workforce planning.
• Foster an inclusive, accountable environment where associates are encouraged to speak up and contribute improvement ideas.
• Track, analyze, and report shift performance metrics; identify trends and drive corrective actions.
• Lead Lean and continuous improvement initiatives to improve throughput, right-first-time performance, and cost efficiency.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Engineering, Facilities, and other support groups to ensure smooth operations and resolve constraints.
• Support technology transfers, new product introductions, equipment commissioning, and validation activities executed on shift.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

The Candidate

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Business, or a related discipline required; equivalent combination of education and progressive manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated experience leading front‑line supervisors or comparable people leaders.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CDMO, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment, including at least 3 years leading people.
• Working knowledge of cGMP requirements, batch record execution, deviation and Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) systems, and the partnership between Operations and Quality.
• Strong operational problem‑solving and decision‑making skills, including the ability to make sound judgments independently during off‑shift hours.
• Demonstrated capability in Lean manufacturing, structured problem solving, and data‑driven performance management.
• Solid business acumen with understanding of labor efficiency, yield, capacity, and cost drivers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with operators, peers, senior leadership, and clients.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and manufacturing business systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and electronic quality systems.
• Operational ownership: Translates site priorities into clear shift objectives and holds the team accountable for results.
• Talent development: Coaches supervisors, gives candid feedback, and builds a pipeline of capable future leaders.
• Decision making: Makes timely, risk‑based decisions, owns outcomes, and escalates appropriately.
• Collaboration and influence: Builds trust across functions and shifts and drives alignment without relying on positional authority.
• Change leadership: Leads teams effectively through changing priorities, new processes, and