Manager, Production

USPL NUTRITIONALS • North Brunswick Township, NJ

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Production Manager is responsible for the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of liquid filling processes, including equipment setup, changeovers, and performance against assigned production schedules. The role plans, coordinates, and manages liquid filling activities across shifts and partners with Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and Warehouse to develop and maintain the production schedule and implement changes needed to ensure schedule adherence. Safety, GMP compliance, equipment reliability, and effective leadership of filler operators and technicians are central to the role.

The position leads daily liquid filling operations, maintains quality and regulatory compliance, coordinates equipment maintenance and continuous improvement, and supervises and develops operators and technicians across a 24/7 operation. Work takes place in a temperature- and humidity-regulated liquid filling area, with exposure to moderate noise, wet surfaces, product, chemicals, sanitizers, and CIP solutions. The role requires standing and walking on the production floor for at least six hours per shift and wearing required PPE.

Requirements

• Minimum of five years of work experience in nutritionals, supplements, food, beverage, or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience operating liquid filling equipment, such as piston, peristaltic, or volumetric fillers, and CIP/SIP systems.
• Ability to work in a team and assist others.
• Ability to follow written instructions precisely and perform basic math calculations as required.
• Knowledge of cGMP, OSHA standards, and liquid filling process parameters.
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical, pneumatic, and PLC/HMI issues on filling equipment.
• Ability to interpret batch records, SOPs, and equipment manuals, and perform fill-volume and dosing calculations.
• Ability to lead, coach, and communicate effectively across shifts and departments.
• Ability to read and write English to understand industry-regulated instruction sheets.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 75 pounds.
• Ability to stand and walk on the production floor for a minimum of six hours per shift.
• Ability to wear required PPE, including gowning, face mask, gloves, safety glasses or goggles, and respirators.

Nice To Haves

• BA/BS degree in engineering, science, or a related field.
• GMP training certification.
• OSHA 10-hour certification or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily operation of liquid filling equipment to meet production schedules, fill targets, and yield goals.
• Plan and oversee filler changeovers, including setup, product and container changes, and start-up verification.
• Confirm fill weight, line speed, and equipment setpoints against the batch record before and during each run.
• Monitor in-process fill checks, seal and cap integrity, and product hold tanks; take corrective action on out-of-specification results.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance, calibration, and repairs of fillers, pumps, valves, and CIP/SIP systems with Maintenance.
• Track filler downtime, scrap, and OEE, and lead continuous improvement projects to reduce losses.
• Evaluate new filling equipment, techniques, and process improvements, and prepare recommendations for management.
• Develop and approve liquid filling batch records to support compliance, consistency, and efficient workflow.
• Ensure liquid filling follows batch records, SOPs, and cGMP guidelines.
• Lead investigations into manufacturing-related deviations and root cause analysis.
• Ensure line clearance and cleaning verifications are completed before product changeovers to prevent cross-contamination.
• Ensure logbooks and batch documentation are complete, signed, and compliant with company standards and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure product meets applicable quality standards, including in-process sampling and testing.
• Lead, schedule, and develop manufacturing operators and technicians across all shifts in the 24/7 operation.
• Ensure employees work safely, follow lockout/tagout procedures, and complete required safety and GMP training.
• Provide clear direction and expectations, set goals and action plans, and conduct performance evaluations, including corrective action where appropriate.
• Develop employees capable of successfully running the liquid fill manufacturing process in the manager's absence.
• Assist with personnel decisions, including hiring, attendance management, wage decisions, transfers, and promotions.
• Foster a collaborative environment that supports continuous process improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Basic and supplemental life insurance.
• AD&D insurance.
• Matched 401(k) savings plan.
• Opportunity to receive premium pay, including overtime, shift differential, and holiday pay.
• Sick time.
• Up to 10 days of vacation during the first year, increasing to 12 days starting in the second year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager