Technical Operations Manager

GummyWorks; West Palm Beach (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

GummyWorks seeks a Technical Operations Manager to oversee the pilot manufacturing line, drive scale-up activities, and support process validation for new and existing products. You will collaborate with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure timely launches and consistent production on commercial equipment.

The role emphasizes turning approved formulas into robust, repeatable processes with high yields, throughput, and quality, while drafting data transfer

Qualifications

• BS in Food Science, Chemical Engineering or related.
• 5+ years food/nutraceutical manufacturing.
• 2+ years in a technical, process or supervisory role.
• Hands-on pilot plant, scale-up or technical transfer experience.

Responsibilities

• Execute commercialization activities from pilot through first production runs.
• Coordinate Pilot Line scheduling, trials and validation runs.
• Run pilot and scale-up trials with batch preparation and data collection.
• Optimize processing parameters on pilot and commercial equipment.
• Draft and maintain master batch records and process parameters for tech transfer.
• Provide first-line technical support for formulation- and process-related issues on the floor.
• Lead or support root cause investigations and CAPAs.
• Prepare formula change requests and route through approval path.
• Execute process validation protocols and compile validation reports.
• Prepare stage-gate review documentation and verify acceptance criteria.
• Supervise and train pilot line technicians and staff.
• Support Lean, Six Sigma, OEE and waste reduction projects with data.
• Partner with R&D, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain and Production on daily execution.

Skills

Process engineering

Statistical analysis

Team leadership

Education

BS in Food Science or Chemical Engineering

Job description

The Technical Operations Manager is responsible for executing the day-to-day technical activities that move new products from the R&D laboratory through pilot manufacturing and into commercial production at GummyWorks.

Reporting to the Senior Technical Operations Manager, this position runs pilot trials, scale-up batches, and process optimization work on the floor, working hands‑on with R&D, Quality, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure every product launches on time and runs consistently on commercial equipment.

The role manages daily operation of the Pilot Manufacturing Line, executes Process Development and Scale-Up activities, and supports Process Validation for new and existing products.

This manager is expected to turn approved formulas into robust, repeatable processes with strong yields, throughput, and quality. This role drafts and maintains technical data transfer package documents for review and approval by the Senior Technical Operations Manager, prepares formula change recommendations through the documented approval path, and serves as first‑line technical support for formulation- and process‑related production line issues. This role does not hold final formula approval authority and does not own production scheduling.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute commercialization activities from pilot through first production runs.
• Coordinate Pilot Line scheduling, trials and validation runs.
• Run pilot and scale‑up trials, including batch preparation, in‑process data collection and trial reports.
• Optimize processing parameters (cook, deposit, cure, conditioning and coating) on pilot and commercial equipment.
• Draft and maintain master batch records, specifications, process parameters and control limits for the technical data transfer package.
• Provide first‑line technical support for formulation- and process‑related production issues: lead on‑floor troubleshooting and elevate to the Senior Technical Operations Manager when issues exceed defined limits.
• Lead or support root cause investigations and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Prepare formula change requests with supporting data and route them through the documented approval path.
• Execute process validation protocols and batches, and compile validation reports.
• Prepare stage‑gate review documentation and verify technical acceptance criteria are met before each gate.
• Supervise and train pilot line technicians and assigned technical staff.
• Support Lean, Six Sigma, OEE and waste reduction projects with data collection and analysis.
• Partner with R&D, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain and Production on daily execution.

Qualifications

Required:

• BS in Food Science, Chemical Engineering or related
• 5+ years food/nutraceutical manufacturing
• 2+ years in a technical, process or supervisory role
• Hands‑on pilot plant, scale‑up or technical transfer experience.

Preferred:

• Gummy/confectionery experience
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt

Core Competencies

• Process Engineering
• Statistical process control, DOE and data analysis
• Communication and Team Leadership

Key Performance Indicators

• 95% of pilot trials completed on schedule
• 95% of technical data transfer package documents submitted complete and on time for gate review
• 95% on‑time launches
• Root cause investigations and CAPAs closed within target timelines
• Improved yield and reduced startup waste
• Reduced production downtime from process‑related issues

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: GummyWorks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.