Upstream Production Manager – Small Molecule Manufacturing

Location: Onsite, Southern California

Metric Bio are partnering with a leading small molecule CDMO seeking a hands-on, strategic leader to oversee upstream GMP manufacturing. This role focuses on synthesis, process development, and ensuring high-quality small molecule APIs and intermediates.

You Will:

Lead Production: Manage upstream operations, including synthesis, purification, concentration, and final product handling. Guide and mentor production managers, chemists, and technicians.
Plan & Execute: Develop and adjust production schedules based on customer requirements, batch strategies, synthesis cycles, and purification capacity to ensure on-time delivery.
Drive Operational Excellence: Implement process improvements, optimize yields, reduce cycle times, and enhance process robustness using Lean manufacturing principles.
Manage & Develop Your Team: Hire, train, coach, and evaluate team members. Foster a high-performing, accountable, and GMP-compliant culture.
Ensure Quality & Compliance: Oversee batch records, cleaning procedures, logbooks, analytical data, and deviation responses to meet regulatory and client expectations.
Champion Safety: Maintain a safe working environment handling solvents, strong acids/bases, and other hazardous materials. Promote EHS standards and safe work practices.
Collaborate Across Sites: Share best practices with other manufacturing sites. Partner with downstream production, process development, quality, engineering, supply chain, and project management.
Manage Projects & Metrics: Track production KPIs, yields, throughput, and efficiency. Communicate risks and propose corrective actions.

What We’re Looking For:

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field (Master’s or PhD preferred).
5+ years in leadership roles in small molecule or related API manufacturing.
Extensive GMP experience in upstream production.
Experience implementing operational excellence and lean methodologies (Green or Black Belt preferred).
Strong leadership, analytical, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Metric Bio

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