Associate Director - Cell Production

Eurofins USA Discovery Services • Fremont, CA

23h • Onsite

About The Position

This role leads the Eurofins DiscoverX Cell Production team in delivering world-class cell-based products while advancing operational excellence and continuous improvement. The Associate Director will be a key driver of performance, optimizing processes, improving scalability, and delivering strong operational results in a collaborative environment. Key responsibilities include the day-to-day operation of the bioassay and cell line manufacturing group, process improvement to drive quality, efficiency, and capacity, and applying GMP/GLP. The role involves assisting the Head of Operations by managing the production team, preparing and implementing operating plans and strategies consistent with business objectives such as improved TAT, on-time delivery, and achieving revenue and EBITA targets. The position ensures the cell-based production organization is prepared for volume, product transfer, and product development initiatives, including supporting Tech Transfer for new product introduction (NPI), the Critical Reagent program, and collaborating with R&D for smooth product transfer. The Associate Director will implement activities to minimize back order issues for all cell-based assay products, develop cost improvement plans, improve product delivery performance, efficiency, throughput, and implement Lean program strategies. Expertise in troubleshooting and optimizing cell growth to maximize viability and recovery of cryopreserved cell productions, especially for assay-ready applications, is critical. The role also involves tracking TAT metrics, managing inventory, optimizing cryo-storage, monitoring margin, backorder, safety stocks, and adherence to key performance indices. Furthermore, it includes continuing the implementation of quality programs, managing departmental records (SOPs, inventory), ensuring quality management program implementation, working with the QA department, and ensuring employee qualification. Finally, the role supports hiring, retaining, and developing staff.

Requirements

• B.Sc. Masters or Ph.D or equivalent industrial experience in the life sciences, cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of cell-based cell production in an industrial or academic laboratory setting.
• Expertise in culturing various cell lines, preferably in the bioassay arena.
• Experience with various aspects of cell production, troubleshooting cell culture issues and challenges, including managing inventory levels, timelines and product quality and documentation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with GLP or GMP.
• Previous experience supervising diverse laboratory scientific personnel.
• Experience in scale up approaches for both adherent and suspension cultures.
• Experience with automated cryopreservation methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Eurofins DiscoverX Cell Production team in delivering world-class cell-based products.
• Advance operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Optimize processes, improve scalability, and deliver strong operational results.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of bioassay and cell line manufacturing group.
• Drive process improvement to enhance quality, efficiency and capacity.
• Apply GMP/GLP in all areas of responsibility, as appropriate.
• Assist the Head of Operations by managing the bioassay and cell line production team and their team members.
• Prepare and implement operating plans and strategies consistent with business objectives such as improved TAT, on-time delivery and achieving pre-set revenue and EBITA targets.
• Ensure the cell-based production organization is prepared to execute on volume, product transfer, and product development initiatives.
• Support the Tech Transfer group for new product introduction (NPI) and the Critical Reagent program.
• Work closely with R&D to ensure smooth and efficient product transfer.
• Improve workflows and efficiencies such as implementation of Lean program strategies.
• Implement activities for the team to minimize to eliminate back order issues for all cell based assay products include assay ready products, cell lines and bioassay cells.
• Develop cost improvement plans.
• Improve product delivery performance, efficiency, throughput, and implementing process changes.
• Troubleshoot and optimize cell growth to maximize viability and recovery of cryopreserved cell productions, especially for assay ready applications.
• Provide tracking of TAT metrics for new product transfers, historical cell culture metrics, inventory, cryo-storage optimization, margin, backorder, managing safety stocks, and adherence to key performance indices.
• Continue implementation of quality program for Eurofins DiscoverX products.
• Manage departmental records, including Standard Operating Procedures, inventory and all other department files, records and documents.
• Ensure implementation of quality management program including published training objectives and records as well as product documentation.
• Work with company's QA department that ensure data meet internal QA/QC criteria and are completed on time.
• Ensure that all employees within group are correctly qualified for assigned activities at all times.
• Support activities for hiring and retaining a diverse, highly qualified staff.
• Provide career coaching, growth and personal development for direct report employees.
• Perform daily duties including: Day to day management of Fremont Bioassay and cell line manufacturing team, data analysis and supporting QA/QC where required; product inventory levels; cell production needs for screening group; maintenance of new and existing software applications and tools; method development to support cell-based production.

Benefits

• Excellent full time benefits including comprehensive medical coverage, dental, and vision options
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation and holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees