Production Manager

Prinston Laboratories; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Prinston Laboratories seeks a Production Manager to lead manufacturing and packaging in our pharmaceutical oral solid dosage plant. The role emphasizes shop-floor leadership, ongoing problem-solving, and strict GMP compliance to sustain daily goals.

The candidate will coach operators, manage deviations and CAPAs, and drive continuous improvement while maintaining safety and quality across all shifts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or engineering field.
• 12+ years total experience, 8+ years in pharmaceutical solid dosage leadership.
• Proven track record advancing through roles (lead/supervisor).
• Deep expertise in solid dosage processes; practical Lean/6 Sigma knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Direct frontline leadership of Manufacturing and Packaging staff across all shifts; spend significant time on the production floor (Gemba).
• Validate production schedules, ensure schedule adherence, monitor hourly output, and address bottlenecks on the floor.

Skills

Lean / Six Sigma

Leadership

Communication

Analytical

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP

TrackWise

MasterControl

ERP

Job description

Production Manager - Pharmaceutical Oral Solid Dosage

Job Summary:

The Production Manager is a high-presence, hands-on role that leads the manufacturing and packaging operations in our pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, with a focus on Shop-Floor Leadership & Execution Excellence. This is a "Shop-Floor Commander" role responsible for translating production plans into reality while maintaining a zero-compromise approach to GMP compliance, safety, and continuous improvement. We value leaders who spend their time on the floor, solving problems at the source and mentoring the next generation of supervisors.

Key Responsibilities

1. Front-Line Leadership & Coaching
   • Directly oversee and actively coach Manufacturing and Packaging employees across all shifts; spend at least 50% of daily time on the production floor (Gemba).
   • Foster a culture of trust and high engagement; resolve personnel or technical hurdles through direct presence and "coaching in the moment."
2. Schedule Execution & Adherence
   • Validate the technical feasibility of production schedules; ensure Schedule Adherence.
   • Implement hourly output tracking; immediately intervene on the floor to mitigate bottlenecks in Granulation, Compression, or Packaging to ensure "Daily Goals for Daily Completion."
3. Deviation Management & CAPA Execution
   • Lead the investigation of manufacturing and packaging deviations. Ensure investigations are initiated immediately upon discovery on the floor.
   • Conduct Gemba-based Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to identify the true drivers of failures (Human, Machine, Method, or Material).
   • Design and implement effective CAPAs (Corrective and Preventive Actions). Ensure CAPAs are practical, thoroughly trained to operators, and sustained to prevent recurrence.
4. Operational Excellence & GMP Stewardship
   • Drive Changeover Optimization (SMED) to maximize equipment uptime.
   • Enforce strict adherence to GMP guidelines and SOPs through direct site inspections and real-time corrections.
   • Lead the site’s Continuous Improvement (Kaizen) initiatives to reduce waste and improve "Right First Time" (RFT) rates.
5. Safety & Compliance
   • Maintain a 100% compliant safety environment per OSHA and Company standards for all staff and visitors.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a Scientific or Engineering field.
• Experience: 12+ years total, with 8+ years in pharmaceutical solid dosage leadership.
• Background: Must have a proven track record of "Rising through the ranks" (e.g., Lead/Supervisor experience).
• Technical Skills: Deep expertise in solid dosage processes; practical knowledge of Lean/6 Sigma.
• Leadership: Proven ability to manage cross-functional projects and lead teams through complex problem-solving. Can lead projects to deliver tactical results that support strategic initiatives.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Analytical Mindset: High attention to detail with sharp critical-thinking and risk-based decision-making skills.
• Manage and prioritize workloads and projects to ensure effective and efficient completion of departmental objectives. Experience working in both a team setting and independently. Work well with manager guidance while able to manage own time.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office and automated platforms (e.g., TrackWise, MasterControl), and SAP or similar ERP.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent walking, standing, and moving across the manufacturing floor to monitor operations.
• Fine motor skills required to operate computers, handle paper documentation, and inspection tools
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to wear PPE/gowning for extended periods of time