Director, Production Operations
Curia
Summary
The Director, Production Operations is a key member of the Springfield leadership team, responsible for managing, planning, directing, and coordinating manufacturing processes across our large scale, pilot plant, and technical services organizations. This leader ensures our operations are safe, compliant, cost-effective, and positioned for growth.
Job description
Essential Responsibilities
Strategy and Planning
- Develop and implement short and long range goals and objectives that align with business growth and profitability targets.
- Set strategic leadership goals for key section heads within the large scale, pilot plant, and technical services organizations.
- Review operational plans to assess manufacturing capacity requirements and make recommendations to improve capacity utilization and support business development planning.
- Develop, implement, and maintain Key Performance Indicators and monitoring systems to drive high levels of performance within the department and across the organization.
Operations and Compliance
- Oversee manufacturing operations to ensure safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency, working collaboratively with the management team to prevent and resolve operational, quality, financial, and facility issues.
- Partner with Quality and Regulatory departments to drive high performance in cGMP compliance and ensure operations meet organizational requirements for quality management, health and safety, legal, and environmental standards.
- Ensure proper planning and effective execution of production activities to minimize downtime and maximize output per the production schedule, working closely with supporting departments to maintain schedule adherence.
- Proactively lead local efforts to prepare for and execute productive customer visits.
- Analyze activities, costs, operations, and forecast data to assess progress toward goals and initiate corrective action as needed to meet business and financial objectives.
- Perform other related duties as may be reasonably assigned in the course of business.
Good Manufacturing & Documentation Practices
- Perform all documentation in compliance with ALCOA++ principles and site SOPs.
- Adhere to applicable cGMP documents including SOPs, batch records, protocols, change controls, and controlled forms.
- Keep all required cGMP training current and escalate quality concerns along with proposed solutions to the Quality department.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
- Minimum 5–10 years of mid to senior management experience in a manufacturing or process environment
- Demonstrated understanding of the responsibilities and functions of key departments within a pharmaceutical or industrial manufacturing facility
- Strong knowledge of cGMP compliance, technical operations, and quality systems within a manufacturing environment
- Proven ability to identify, develop, and inspire leaders at multiple levels of the organization
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present strategy and performance clearly to site and functional leadership
Preferred
- Experience with API development and manufacturing processes
- Certification in Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
- Minimum 5–10 years of mid to senior management experience in a manufacturing or process environment
- Demonstrated understanding of the responsibilities and functions of key departments within a pharmaceutical or industrial manufacturing facility
- Strong knowledge of cGMP compliance, technical operations, and quality systems within a manufacturing environment
- Proven ability to identify, develop, and inspire leaders at multiple levels of the organization
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present strategy and performance clearly to site and functional leadership
- Experience with API development and manufacturing processes
- Certification in Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma
Benefits
- Generous benefit options
- Paid training
- Paid vacation
- Paid holidays
- Career advancement opportunities
- Education reimbursement
- 401(k) Matching
- Learning platform
Company overview
Curia is a leading global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Headquartered in Albany, New York, the company operates an integrated network of 25 global sites across North America, Europe, and Asia, employing approximately 3,500 professionals. Curia provides comprehensive end-to-end solutions spanning drug discovery, development, and manufacturing services for both small molecules and biologics. Their expertise covers active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing, sterile drug product development, analytical testing, and regulatory support. The company specializes in complex areas including high-potency compounds, controlled substances, sterile APIs, and mRNA manufacturing. With state-of-the-art GMP facilities and a strong focus on innovation, Curia partners with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to accelerate the development and commercialization of life-changing therapeutics, from early-stage discovery through commercial-scale production.