Director of Laboratory Operations - Vital Tears

Saving-SightKcmo, MO
Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Director of Manufacturing & Operations to lead and scale commercial, GMP‑regulated manufacturing operations for Autologous Serum Eye Drops (ASED)-a patient‑specific product that directly improves quality of life. This role offers ownership , broad decision authority , and the opportunity to build scalable, high‑performing operations while influencing patient care at every step. This leadership role oversees commercial-scale aseptic manufacturing of ASED, directing laboratory operations across intake, sterile processing, filling, labeling, packaging, QA/QC coordination, and distribution. The Director ensures operations are compliant, reproducible, efficient, and ready to scale , while fostering a strong quality culture and high-performing teams.

Requirements

  • 5+ years leading teams in GMP-regulated manufacturing environments
  • 3+ years in aseptic or sterile manufacturing (biologics preferred )
  • Hands-on experience with: GMP compliance
  • Environmental monitoring & cleanroom operations
  • Deviations, CAPAs, and change control
  • Validation and audit support
  • Demonstrated ability to scale operations while maintaining quality and delivery performance
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing systems
  • In the last 5 years, the candidate must have 0 major moving violations and less than 3 minor moving violations.

Nice To Haves

  • Biologics, plasma-derived therapies, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, or healthcare laboratory services
  • Patient‑specific, small-batch, or lot‑specific production environments
  • Operations where quality, traceability, and chain of identity are critical

Responsibilities

  • Lead daily laboratory and aseptic manufacturing operations , including workforce planning, scheduling, and performance management
  • Own key performance metrics (OTIF, RFT, scrap/rework, COGS ) and deliver measurable results
  • Scale operations from ~25,000 orders annually to 50,000+ over the next five years
  • Partner closely with Quality on deviations, CAPAs, audits, inspections, and batch release
  • Ensure GMP compliance, audit readiness, and strong aseptic/cleanroom discipline
  • Drive Lean / Continuous Improvement initiatives using data‑driven decision making
  • Build strong leadership pipelines through hiring, coaching, and succession planning
  • Serve as the laboratory SME and operational leader for internal and external stakeholders

Benefits

  • Opportunity for broader scope and faster impact
  • Direct connection between GMP excellence and patient outcomes
  • Leadership role where decisions visibly shape operations and growth
  • Mission-driven organization that values quality, science, and people
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