Operations Engineering Manager

Thorne; Summerville (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Company-paid health coverage

Disability insurance

Life insurance

401k with employer match

Gym membership reimbursement

Supplements allowance

Paid time off

Job summary

Thorne in Summerville, SC seeks an Operations Engineering Manager to lead a team of engineering technicians and manufacturing engineers on the shop floor. You will drive data-driven improvements, ensure rapid resolution of technical issues, and oversee CAPAs, PFMEAs, and project timelines to support production goals.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate across departments, and advance OpEx initiatives to maximize yield and efficiency while maintaining strict regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial Engineering.
• 15+ years’ experience in Pharma manufacturing or similar regulated industry.
• 5+ years’ experience in a management position.
• 3+ years’ experience in an FDA-regulated environment.
• Experience with ISO and/or cGMP standards.

Responsibilities

• Attend production stand-up meetings and provide daily presence on the shop floor to monitor processes and help lead troubleshooting of urgent technical issues and production down situations.
• Conduct daily review of production pass downs for equipment & process related issues and use data driven and proactive approach in targeting long term and permanent corrective actions.
• Develop and drive OpEx initiatives to ensure efficiency, reduce labor costs and maximize product yield.
• Create partnerships with peers from other departments and generate an overall collaborative structure to anticipate and permanently resolve chronic production & technical issues to help improve OEE.
• Utilize data generated as part of Engineering floor support to fully understand and document the current capabilities of all Thorne production equipment and provide executable improvement recommendations to leadership.
• Collaborate with department peers on new manufacturing equipment specifications, URS’s, acceptance testing (SAT & FAT), reviewing Operation SOP’s and Qualifications, including travel to vendor locations, both within & outside US in support of such qualifications.
• Build and lead a high-performing Engineering team, secure the best talent, develop & strengthen staff and build future leaders by providing ongoing coaching and honest feedback.

Skills

Leadership

Team leadership

Problem solving

Data-driven decisions

Process optimization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

Operations Engineering Manager

Department: Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Summerville, SC

Description

At Thorne, we work to deliver high-quality, science-backed solutions to empower individuals to take a proactive approach to their well-being. Each day begins with a mission to help others discover and achieve their best health. We count on our team members to challenge and push the boundaries to make that happen. At Thorne, you’ll be joining a team of more than 750 passionate individuals committed to our cause of providing superior health solutions at every age and life stage. The Operations Engineering Manager reports to Director, Engineering and is responsible for managing team of Engineering Technicians, Controls Technicians and Manufacturing Engineers to ensure prompt resolution to technical issues on the production floor and using data driven approach for long term & permanent corrective actions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend production stand-up meetings and provide daily presence on the shop floor to monitor processes and help lead troubleshooting of urgent technical issues and production down situations.


• Conduct daily review of production pass downs for equipment & process related issues and use data driven and proactive approach in targeting long term and permanent corrective actions.


• Develop and drive OpEx initiatives to ensure efficiency, reduce labor costs and maximize product yield. Working with Continuous Improvement Group, participate or provide resources in support of Kaizen & RCA events.


• Create partnerships with peers from other departments and generate an overall collaborative structure to anticipate and permanently resolve chronic production & technical issues to help improve OEE.


• Utilize data generated as part of Engineering floor support to fully understand and document the current capabilities of all Thorne production equipment and provide executable improvement recommendations to leadership.


• Collaborate with department peers on new manufacturing equipment specifications, URS’s, acceptance testing (SAT & FAT), reviewing Operation SOP’s and Qualifications, including travel to vendor locations, both within & outside US in support of such qualifications.


• Build and lead a high-performing Engineering team, secure the best talent, develop & strengthen staff and build future leaders by providing ongoing coaching and honest feedback.


• Create a high energy and positive environment where the technical team feels empowered to make decisions without fear and can be held accountable for timely completion of tasks & duties as well as the quality of workmanship.


• Provide technical oversight & guidance in support of equipment qualifications and re-qualifications (resource assignment, review & approval of related engineering studies, protocols, reports and documentation).


• Review and/or approve (or assign trained designee) the following documents including, but not limited to: Production Equipment SOP’s, Forms and Work Instructions, and OCM specifications.


• Support manufacturing-related Corrective and Preventative Actions (CAPAs) as required.


• Ensure regular, accurate Engineering status reports (project status, issues, schedule adherence, and other items as deemed necessary) are submitted to Director of Engineering.


• Conduct formal and informal performance assessments of staff, including performance versus expectations and goals, behaviors and leadership potential, and seek the same for self.


• Conduct periodic assessment of technical skill set of the team and provide training recommendations to close gaps or in upgrading skill set to be at par with state-of-the-art.

WHAT YOU NEED

• BS in Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial Engineering is required.


• 15+ years’ experience in Pharmaceutical, Dietary Supplement Manufacturing or similar regulated industry.


• 5+ years’ experience in a management position.


• 3+ years’ experience in an FDA-regulated environment.


• Experience with ISO and/or cGMP standards required.


• Must be capable of writing detailed technical procedures, documents, training procedures to further apply the new methods and programs that lead to production and systems improvements.


• Ability to acquire the necessary knowledge in all areas of Thorne manufacturing including Mixing, High Speed Encapsulation, Bottling Lines (Capsule and Powder), Labeling, as well as production components, raw materials and product powders.


• Working knowledge of SolidWorks and AutoCAD is required in order to participate in technical drawing reviews.


• Must have working knowledge of and be able to understand mechanical systems, equipment controls, instrumentation, sensors, vision systems and to guide technicians and engineers in effective technical problem solving.


• Must be able to compile detailed project timelines and actively manage resource allocation.


• Must be able to guide and lead cross-functional teams in developing PFMEAs at an SME level.


• Prior experience in working with and mentoring junior engineers or engineering interns is required.


• Comfort with and extensive experience interacting with senior management, company staff and third parties.


• Supervise and manage others, delegate appropriately, and follow-up on work assignments.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive compensation


• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for employees


• Company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance


• Company- paid life insurance


• 401k plan with employer matching contributions up to 4%


• Gym membership reimbursement


• Monthly allowance of Thorne supplements


• Paid time off, volunteer time off and holiday leave


• Training, professional development, and career growth opportunities