Job Description
Full Time | On-Site
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Job Summary
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Key Responsibilities
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- 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 escalate 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.
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Qualifications
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Required:
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• BS in Food Science, Chemical Engineering or related
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• 5+ years food/nutraceutical manufacturing
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• 2+ years in a technical, process or supervisory role
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• Hands-on pilot plant, scale-up or technical transfer experience.
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Preferred:
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• Gummy/confectionery experience
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• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
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• cGMP (21 CFR Part 111) batch record documentation experience
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Core Competencies
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• Process Engineering
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• Hands-on Troubleshooting
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• Technical Documentation
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• Project Execution
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• Continuous Improvement
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• Statistical process control, DOE and data analysis
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• Communication and Team Leadership
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Key Performance Indicators
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• 95% of pilot trials completed on schedule
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• 95% of technical data transfer package documents submitted complete and on time for gate review
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• 95% on-time launches
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• 90% first-pass commercialization
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• Root cause investigations and CAPAs closed within target timelines
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• Improved yield and reduced startup waste
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• Reduced production downtime from process-related issues
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Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: GummyWorks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.