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.
