Process Development Manager

Piramal Pharma Solutions; Riverview (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Piramal Pharma Solutions in Michigan seeks a Manager, Process Development to lead the technical development of robust, scalable routes for API and HPAPI synthesis, ensuring cGMP compliance for clinical trials, toxicology studies, and commercial APIs. You will coordinate cross‑functional teams across QA, QC, Safety, Engineering, and Operations to meet timelines and contract terms.

The role requires hands‑on lab and plant work, oversight of process development activities, and preparation of

Qualifications

• PhD in organic/medicinal chemistry or chemical engineering.
• 5–10 years in drug development and chemical process development.
• Extensive knowledge of cGMP and HPAPIs.
• Experience with DOEs, process characterization, and NMR.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work independently.
• Excellent written and oral communication; client interaction.

Responsibilities

• Assess new projects to identify the best chemical route and resources.
• Organize department work to meet timelines and FDA requirements.
• Conduct literature searches and lab work to identify routes and limitations.
• Develop in-process methods to monitor chemical processes.
• Provide technical opinions to elaborate safe, economical manufacturing processes.
• Work hands-on in the lab or plant as required.
• Generate, verify, and revise development reports and specifications.
• Execute GMP lab-scale processes for APIs including HPAPIs.
• Participate in technical talks to find solutions and consider feedback.
• Represent Process Chemistry on cross-functional teams with QA, QC, and Tech Transfer.
• Promote teamwork and open communication within the department.
• Participate in client meetings to discuss technical aspects of opportunities.
• Collaborate with clients for efficient transfer of information.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Process development

Education

PhD in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering

Job description

The Manager, Process Development, will serve as a member of the technical leadership for the development of new processes for the synthesis of APIs or HPAPIs. The incumbent will be responsible for developing a robust, scalable route to manufacture drug substances, including HPAPIs under GLP and cGMP for clinical trials, toxicology studies, and commercial APIs. The incumbent will help plan and organize all activities in the Chemical Process Development department to ensure that timelines, specifications, cGMP requirements, and the other terms of contracts are fully respected. This position will also provide technical expertise at the request of the Head of Process Development and other departments and employees. You will collaborate and interact with the different departments (Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Safety, Engineering, Operations, etc.) so that all resources required for developing and approving a process are in place. Periodically this role will inform the client of the status of the project. This role will actively participate in potential new project assessments to provide Site Leadership with technical input regarding the feasibility of the project and will also prepare technical reports and participate in the site management meetings/team.

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

• Conduct and oversee API process development and lab‑scale manufacturing of APIs and HPAPIs using containment, isolator technologies and operations, and applicable manufacturing safety requirements.
• Shall adhere to all regulatory requirements, including FDA, EPA, OSHA, related safety, health and environmental procedures, policies, and practices.
• Consistent support and practice of all Ash Stevens’ mission and values.
• Identify and protect the original technical information as part of the company property.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assess new projects with the department to identify the best chemical route and resources to develop a process.
• Organize work within the department to ensure timeliness, specifications, and FDA requirements are respected and resources are used most effectively and economically.
• Conduct literature searches and laboratory work to quickly identify potential and limitations of different routes and propose the optimal solution for development.
• Contribute to the efforts to identify, characterize, and synthesize by‑products and impurities generated in different steps of a process and find conditions to diminish, suppress, or remove them.
• Direct the development of “in‑process methods” to monitor chemical processes.
• Provide technical opinions and recommendations to the members of the Process Development Department to elaborate chemical manufacturing processes that are safe, economical, and in compliance with cGMP requirements.
• Work in the laboratory or plant (hands‑on) as required.
• Generate, verify, approve, and revise BPRs, specifications, deviation reports, and development reports.
• Execute GMP processes for lab‑scale manufacturing of APIs including highly potent APIs for clinical studies and commercial batches.
• Actively participate in technical talks to find solutions to different problems and carefully consider opinions and suggestions for future work.
• Represent Process Chemistry on multifunctional project teams collaborating with scientists from Analytical, QC, QA, and Tech Transfer to ensure all aspects of a project under development and manufacture are considered.
• Identify and protect the original technical information as part of the company property.
• Promote a friendly and cooperative environment for all members of the department to facilitate open communication. Encourage teamwork and consider other people’s opinions.
• Participate in meetings with potential clients and brokers to provide input to senior management about technical aspects of potential business opportunities.
• Work with clients for efficient transfer and implementation of technological/analytical information.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering.
• Five (5) to ten (10) years of experience in research and chemical development of drugs and fine chemicals, including asymmetric synthesis, green chemistry, catalysis, and physical organic chemistry related to reaction mechanisms.
• Wide knowledge of classic and modern synthetic methods (excluding Chemical Engineers) and current Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMP).
• Technical experience handling and manufacturing of High Potent APIs (OEL < 1 µg/m³).
• Technical experience in process characterization, including DOEs and statistical analysis to determine critical/key process parameters and process design space.
• Development of preparative HPLC methods and applications on large‑scale purifications.
• Experience in isolation of process impurities by preparative HPLC and characterization by NMR, techniques to support fate/purge studies, and process understanding.
• Capability to effectively manage multiple projects and work independently as assigned.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, the ability to influence the work of others, and general knowledge of drug development and the pharmaceutical industry.

JOB COMPETENCIES

• Manage and advance multiple projects simultaneously, lead a team, and communicate project updates to clients and upper management.
• Direct and interact with team members.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Develop, perform, evaluate, and troubleshoot within a scientific discipline.
• Self‑motivated, creative, and independent.
• Manage projects covering a variety of chemical compounds.