Tech Transfer Manager - San Diego

PolyPeptide US; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

PolyPeptide US is seeking a Tech Transfer Manager in San Diego to lead early‑phase manufacturing operations, drive rapid RFP execution, and onboard new client projects. You will collaborate with Business Development, Project Management, QA, QC, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to ensure fast, compliant execution.

The role requires a strong background in peptide development and manufacturing within a regulated CDMO environment, with emphasis on speed, quality, and scalable processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Chemistry, or related field.
• 10+ years in technical operations, manufacturing, process development, or related function within peptide CDMO/pharma.
• Experience in peptide CDMO environment strongly preferred.
• Proven experience supporting RFPs, client proposals, technical evaluations, or early‑phase project planning.
• Experience leading technical teams, cross-functional initiatives, or manufacturing/process development activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical evaluation and response process for incoming RFPs, ensuring timely, accurate, and high-quality responses.
• Partner with Business Development and Project Management to support client proposals, technical scoping, and project onboarding.
• Oversee early-phase process development activities, including process design, technology transfer, scale-up support, and initial production runs.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with QA, QC, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and other teams to support project readiness and execution.
• Provide hands‑on technical support for process challenges, deviations, troubleshooting, and client‑specific requirements.
• Lead and support timely documentation of developed processes, protocols, batch records, and related technical materials.
• Ensure activities are performed in alignment with GMP, regulatory requirements, internal procedures, and quality expectations.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase speed, quality, cost‑efficiency, and scalability.
• Mentor technical staff and promote a culture of accountability, responsiveness, innovation, and operational excellence.
• Support collaboration across the broader PolyPeptide network to ensure alignment and successful project execution.

Skills

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Process development

Regulatory compliance understanding

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Chemistry, or related field

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

Job description

Tech Transfer Manager

Location: San Diego, CA | Employment Type: Full-Time

Lead Fast-Moving Early-Phase Manufacturing in a Peptide CDMO Environment

At PolyPeptide, we partner with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to support the development and manufacturing of peptide-based therapies. We are looking for a Tech Transfer Manager to lead early-phase manufacturing operations, drive rapid RFP execution, and support the successful onboarding of new client projects.

This role is a strong fit for an experienced technical operations or manufacturing leader who understands peptide development, thrives in a fast-paced CDMO environment, and enjoys turning complex client and technical requirements into clear, executable plans.

About the Role

The Tech Transfer Manager will play a key role in supporting early-phase development and manufacturing activities, with a focus on speed, quality, and technical execution. This position will lead the technical evaluation and response process for incoming RFPs, support early-phase process development, and help ensure new projects are launched efficiently and successfully.

In this role, you will work closely with Business Development, Project Management, QA, QC, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and other teams across the PolyPeptide network. You will serve as a technical and operational leader, helping ensure client expectations are understood, project requirements are clearly defined, and manufacturing activities are positioned for successful execution and future scale-up.

What You Will Do

• Lead the technical evaluation and response process for incoming RFPs, ensuring timely, accurate, and high-quality responses.

• Partner with Business Development and Project Management to support client proposals, technical scoping, and project onboarding.

• Oversee early-phase process development activities, including process design, technology transfer, scale-up support, and initial production runs.

• Coordinate cross-functionally with QA, QC, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and other teams to support project readiness and execution.

• Provide hands‑on technical support for process challenges, deviations, troubleshooting, and client‑specific requirements.

• Lead and support timely documentation of developed processes, protocols, batch records, and related technical materials.

• Ensure activities are performed in alignment with GMP, regulatory requirements, internal procedures, and quality expectations.

• Identify and implement process improvements to increase speed, quality, cost‑efficiency, and scalability.

• Mentor technical staff and promote a culture of accountability, responsiveness, innovation, and operational excellence.

• Support collaboration across the broader PolyPeptide network to ensure alignment and successful project execution.

What We Are Looking For

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Chemistry, or a related field.

• 10+ years of experience in technical operations, manufacturing, process development, or a related function within a peptide CDMO, pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated manufacturing environment.

• Experience in a peptide CDMO environment is strongly preferred.

• Proven experience supporting RFPs, client proposals, technical evaluations, or early‑phase project planning.

• Experience leading technical teams, cross-functional initiatives, or manufacturing/process development activities.

Technical Skills

• Strong technical understanding of peptide manufacturing, process development, and early‑phase production activities.

• Experience with technology transfer, process scale‑up, initial production runs, and manufacturing readiness.

• Strong understanding of GMP, regulatory expectations, documentation practices, and quality systems.

• Ability to evaluate technical requirements and translate them into practical project plans and client-facing responses.

• Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies preferred.

• Strong ability to assess process risks, identify bottlenecks, and support solutions that improve speed, quality, and scalability.

Skills and Competencies

• Technical and process expertise.

• Operational agility and strong execution speed.

• Cross-functional collaboration.

• Leadership and team development.

• Problem-solving and continuous improvement.

• Strong communication, organization, and project management skills.

• Ability to prioritize effectively in a dynamic, fast-moving environment.

• High attention to detail with a strong commitment to quality and client service.

Why Join PolyPeptide?

This is an opportunity to step into a highly visible technical leadership role that directly supports client growth, project execution, and early‑phase manufacturing success. You will help shape how new projects move from proposal to execution while working closely with teams across development, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and business development.

As a TechTransfer Manager, your work will directly impact how quickly and effectively we respond to client needs, onboard new projects, and prepare processes for successful manufacturing. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys leading through complexity, solving technical challenges, and driving execution in a CDMO environment where speed, quality, and precision matter.

Salary

$130k-$145k

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.