Production Manager

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

Job summary

Prinston Laboratories in Charlotte, NC seeks a Production Manager for Pharmaceutical Oral Solid Dosage, a hands‑on role leading manufacturing and packaging operations on the floor with a strong focus on GMP compliance and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate has 12+ years in pharma solid dosage leadership, 8+ years in leadership, and deep Lean/Six Sigma expertise to drive safety, quality and efficiency across shifts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a Scientific or Engineering field.
• 12+ years total experience with 8+ years in pharmaceutical solid dosage leadership.
• Proven track record of rising through the ranks (lead/supervisor).
• Deep expertise in solid dosage processes; Lean/6 Sigma expertise.
• Strong leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; risk-based decision making.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and workloads; works well independently and with guidance.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems such as SAP.

Responsibilities

• Directly oversee and coach Manufacturing and Packaging staff across shifts; 50% floor time.
• Validate production schedules and intervene to mitigate bottlenecks on the floor.
• Lead investigations of deviations; perform RCA and implement CAPAs.
• Drive GMP stewardship, SOP adherence, and site-wide Kaizen efforts.
• Maintain a safe, compliant environment and focus on Right First Time outcomes.

Skills

Leadership & people management

Lean / Six Sigma

GMP compliance

Problem solving

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Project management

MS Office

ERP familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering

Tools

TrackWise

MasterControl

SAP or 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