Technical Operations Manager CMC

Cerus; Concord (CA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Domestic partner benefits

RSUs

401(k) matching

Job summary

Cerus is seeking an experienced Technical Operations Manager for Concord, CA, with strong CMC and regulatory expertise. The role covers development through lifecycle management of medical device and drug products, with collaboration across internal labs, CMOs, and regulatory partners.

The position is hybrid, requiring in-office presence twice a week. The ideal candidate has deep experience in manufacturing analytics, process validation, technology transfer, and regulatory filings to support

Qualifications

• 10 years in pharma/biotech/medical device or combination products with at least 5 years in CMC development, process validation, analytical development and regulatory submissions.
• Experience managing CMOs and cross-functional project teams.
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and project management skills.
• AI-enabled process and analytical development and manufacturing optimization is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise for development and commercial products.
• Support process development, characterization, scale-up, analytical development and commercialization with internal teams and CMOs.
• Support manufacturing and analytical testing-related investigations.
• Manage change controls, deviations, CAPAs, and risk assessments.
• Lead stability programs for API and combination drug product.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, EMA, ICH, USP, ISO, and ASTM requirements.
• Author and review technical documentation, specifications, protocols, and reports.
• Collaborate with RA, QA, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and R&D teams.
• Coordinate shipping and receiving activities and manage inventory.

Skills

CMC development

Process validation

Tech transfer

Analytical development

Regulatory submissions

Technical writing

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

AI optimization

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Job description

Cerus aims to be the global leader and trusted partner of blood centers and hospitals whose technology, services, and commitment are the lifeblood of safe and accessible blood for patients around the world.

About Cerus:

Cerus aims to be the global leader and trusted partner of blood centers and hospitals whose technology, services, and commitment are the lifeblood of safe and accessible blood for patients around the world.

This is a hybrid opportunity based out of Concord, CA where you'll work twice a week in the office.

Position Summary

Cerus is seeking an experienced Technical Operations Manager with expertise across Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) activities supporting commercial and development-stage products. This role will serve as a key technical resource responsible for driving process development, process validation, technology transfer, manufacturing and analytical support, regulatory submissions, and lifecycle management activities across medical device, pharmaceutical, small and large molecule combination products. The role will work closely with internal cross-functional teams, Cerus internal development and analytical laboratories, contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) contract testing laboratories (CTLs), and regulatory partners to ensure successful execution of CMC programs. The individual will leverage internal laboratory capabilities where appropriate while coordinating and overseeing external partners to execute analytical development and testing, process development, technology transfer, validation, and manufacturing activities. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in pharmaceutical and/or medical device manufacturing, analytical sciences, regulatory compliance, process validation, and commercialization activities, with demonstrated success supporting global regulatory filings and product lifecycle management. In addition, the role will provide operational oversight for site activities including material management, shipping and receiving, inventory control, and equipment maintenance and coordination of internal and external technical resources to ensure efficient execution of development and manufacturing programs.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise for development and commercial products.
• Support process development, characterization, scale-up, analytical (development, release and stability testing) and commercialization activities internally and at CMOs.
• Support manufacturing and analytical testing-related investigations
• Manage change controls, deviations, CAPAs, and risk assessments.
• Lead stability programs for API and combination drug product.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, EMA, ICH, USP, ISO, and ASTM requirements.
• Author and review technical documentation, specifications, protocols, and reports.
• Author, review, interpret data for CMC sections for global regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate with RA, QA, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and R&D teams.
• Manage shipping and receiving activities for clinical and development materials, ensuring compliance with applicable quality and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate inventory management activities, including tracking of raw materials, components, consumables, reference standards, and development samples.

Qualifications

• B.S or M.S. in, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, or related scientific discipline preferred.
• 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or combination product industries with a minimum of 5 years experience with CMC development, process validation, analytical development and validation, stability management, tech transfer, change controls, and regulatory submissions preferred
• Demonstrated success managing CMOs and cross-functional project teams.
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and project management skills.
• AI-enabled process and analytical development and manufacturing optimization is a plus.

Travel

Up to 15% domestic and international travel as required.

We understand that our people are essential to our success. This philosophy is revealed in our competitive benefits package, designed to improve employees’ lives both on and off the job.

Benefits plans: medical, dental, vision, domestic partner benefits, paid maternity and paternity leaves, healthcare and dependent care flexible spending, life and accidental death insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, matching 401(k), RSUs

Work and family: EAP, legal and financial services, health club membership discounts, tuition reimbursement

Compensation: The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $160,000-$175,000 annually . Base pay is one part of the total package to compensate and recognize employees for their work.