Manager, Production; Manufacturing

Curia • Springfield, MO

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Production Operations Manager is a key driver of safety, quality, compliance, and operational excellence within Curia’s cGMP manufacturing environment. Partnering closely with the Associate Director of Production, this role oversees Production Supervisors and helps ensure consistent execution of manufacturing activities across shifts. The Production Operations Manager establishes clear expectations, develops leaders, addresses performance and operational challenges, and promotes accountability throughout the Production organization. From strengthening procedures and implementing best practices to developing employees and monitoring meaningful performance metrics, this position helps build a Production department that performs at a high standard every day. Through strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration, the Production Operations Manager helps ensure every batch is manufactured safely, compliantly, efficiently, and with the quality our customers and patients depend on.
The ideal candidate is a collaborative and visible leader who enjoys developing people, improving systems, and solving complex operational problems. This individual uses data, practical cGMP knowledge, and effective communication to identify root causes and implement sustainable improvements in safety, quality, compliance, and operational performance.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 to 8 years of manufacturing experience within a cGMP-regulated environment.
• Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing supervisors, team leads, or manufacturing employees, including coaching, performance management, and employee development.
• Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to continuous improvement, procedural development, operational excellence, or compliance initiatives.
• Thorough knowledge and practical understanding of current Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Documentation Practices.
• Ability to foster a culture of safety, quality ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to perform root cause analysis and interpret and present operational data.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical or regulatory information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, facilitate change, and build effective working relationships across organizational levels and functions.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives and respond effectively to changing operational needs.
• Must pass a background check
• Must pass a drug screen
• May be required to pass Occupational Health Screening

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific, engineering, manufacturing, business, or operations-related field.
• Leadership experience within pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Familiarity with FDA, DEA, and other regulatory requirements applicable to pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections, customer audits, investigations, CAPAs, and validation activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop Production Supervisors, establishing clear expectations and consistent practices across shifts and operating areas.
• Hold supervisors accountable for safety, quality, compliance, schedule execution, employee performance, training, documentation, and timely escalation of concerns.
• Support supervisors in addressing staffing, attendance, performance, conduct, and employee-relations matters in partnership with Human Resources.
• Evaluate team capabilities, identify development needs, and develop plans to strengthen leadership effectiveness and operational readiness.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, collaboration, continuous learning, and shared ownership of safety and quality.
• Oversee daily Production activities and work with supervisors to ensure appropriate staffing, work assignments, communication, and execution of the production schedule.
• Monitor department performance using safety, quality, compliance, productivity, and schedule-attainment metrics; identify trends and implement improvements.
• Serve as an escalation point for operational, staffing, safety, quality, and compliance issues, ensuring concerns are resolved or elevated promptly.
• Participate in production planning and partner with the Associate Director of Production on department priorities, staffing, resource allocation, and organizational needs.
• Provide backup operational, payroll, and timekeeping support during planned or unplanned Production Supervisor absences.
• Ensure facilities, equipment, processes, and employees operate safely and in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Ensure Production activities and documentation comply with cGMP, GDP, approved procedures, batch records, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Lead or support investigations, root cause analyses, deviations, CAPAs, change controls, and validation activities, ensuring actions are completed thoroughly and on time.
• Author, review, revise, and approve Production SOPs, work instructions, master batch records, and other controlled documents.
• Standardize procedures and operating practices to improve consistency across shifts and strengthen safety, quality, compliance, and operational performance.
• Maintain department readiness for customer visits, audits, and regulatory inspections and represent Production during these activities as needed.
• Oversee hazardous-waste-handling activities in accordance with Curia procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Partner across the site and company with other functions to resolve issues and achieve department objectives.
• Communicate operational risks, performance trends, resource needs, and recommended solutions to the Associate Director of Production and key stakeholders.
• Partner with the Training Manager and Production Supervisors to identify training needs, develop or deliver effective training, and confirm employees are qualified to perform assigned work.
• Reinforce expectations through visible leadership, employee engagement, coaching, and follow-up in Production areas.
• 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.

Benefits

• Generous benefit options (eligible first day of employment)
• Paid training, vacation and holidays (vacation accrual begins on first day of employment)
• Career advancement opportunities
• Education reimbursement
• 401K program with matching contributions
• Learning platform

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED