Senior Operations Manager

LHH; Concord (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biotechnology firm is seeking a Senior Manager for Reagent Manufacturing & Planning Operations. This full-time role includes leading the production organization, improving operational excellence, and collaborating across departments to ensure dynamic growth. Candidates should have leadership experience, expertise in GMP/ISO13485 environments, and a background in biotech or medtech. The position offers a competitive salary, bonuses, and the opportunity to drive significant process improvements.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and team development capabilities.
• Proven experience in scaling operations in manufacturing.
• Experience in the biotech or medtech field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale Reagent Manufacturing Operations.
• Architect a robust production planning function.
• Drive operational excellence and systems implementation.
• Partner cross-functionally for operational alignment.

Skills

Leadership

Production planning

Lean/continuous improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

GMP/ISO13485 knowledge

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Contract to hire Position

Base Pay Range

$160,000.00/yr – $175,000.00/yr

Senior Manager, Reagent Manufacturing & Planning Operations

Compensation

$160,000–$175,000 annually + 10–15% bonus after conversion

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Manager to lead and scale Reagent Manufacturing and Planning Operations in a high-growth, highly regulated environment. This role will be responsible for building the manufacturing organization, optimizing production planning, driving operational excellence, and partnering cross‑functionally to enable rapid year‑over‑year growth. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, a scale‑up mindset, and deep experience in GMP/ISO13485 reagent or consumable production.

Essential Functions

1. Build & Scale Reagent Manufacturing Operations

• Develop, expand, and mature reagent production processes to support rapid growth.
• Build a high‑performing manufacturing team through hiring, onboarding, training, and talent development.
• Define long‑term manufacturing strategy, including capacity expansion, automation, and facility/equipment scaling.
• Lead technology transfers from R&D into Manufacturing, ensuring scalable, validated, and repeatable processes.

2. Production Planning for Scale

• Architect a robust end‑to‑end planning function, including demand review, capacity modeling, MPS creation, and scheduling.
• Implement planning systems (MRP, forecasting models, dashboards) for both short‑term execution and long‑term scalability.
• Strengthen inventory strategy across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
• Identify capacity constraints and develop mitigation strategies for labor, equipment, materials, and process bottlenecks.

3. Operational Excellence & Systems Implementation

• Drive a Lean/continuous improvement culture to increase throughput and reduce scrap.
• Establish SOPs, documentation, training programs, and quality systems that support predictable scale‑up.
• Lead site readiness for audits, certifications, and regulatory inspections.
• Collaborate with Engineering on automation, process control systems, and technology adoption.

4. Cross‑Functional Leadership in a High‑Growth Environment

• Partner with R&D, Product Development, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Finance to align operational plans.
• Serve as a key contributor to S&OP with forward‑looking capacity, inventory risk assessments, and cost insights.
• Ensure reagent availability to support commercial launches, new product introductions, and changing field demand.
• Scale‑up mindset with ability to anticipate future operational needs.
• Strong people leadership and team development.
• Operational rigor and process‑driven thinking.
• Effective cross‑functional collaboration and influence.
• Proven experience supporting rapid scale‑up in volume, product mix, facility capacity, or team size.
• Strong understanding of GMP/ISO13485 and reagent manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated success implementing planning systems, MPS, and capacity models.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, evolving environment while building structure for long‑term stability.
• Experience in biotech, diagnostics, medtech consumables, or related fields preferred.
• Experience implementing or redesigning ERP/MRP systems preferred.
• Background in Lean Six Sigma, automation, or continuous improvement initiatives preferred.

Success Measures / KPIs

• Build a scalable reagent production team and organization structure.
• Implement or enhance ERP/MRP planning tools and dashboards.
• Expand reagent manufacturing capacity to meet growth projections.
• Improve throughput, yield, and batch success rates while reducing scrap and variability.
• Establish a stable MPS process with high schedule adherence.
• Enable successful new product launches and technology transfers.
• Strengthen quality, compliance, and documentation for scale.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Management