Director - Production Operations

Unclassified - Fort Dodge, IA

Full-time - Director

Fort Dodge, IA

About the position

At Elanco, a global leader in animal health, the Director of Production Operations plays a crucial role in providing administrative and technical direction within the assigned production area. This position is pivotal in ensuring that the production of high-quality biological products aligns with company policies and corporate business plans. The Director will be responsible for the proper selection and training of staff, ensuring a safe workplace through comprehensive training programs, and maintaining compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Additionally, the Director will implement strategies aimed at reducing the cost of goods while improving existing production processes. This role also involves representing the interests of the assigned area to various business contacts, including customers and suppliers, both inside and outside of Elanco. The responsibilities of the Director include directing and managing the assigned area to manufacture high-quality biological products, assisting in the transfer of new products from Process Development into Production, and overseeing the manufacturing of qualifying and validation serials. The Director will identify and resolve production problems, document findings, and implement solutions while promoting a LEAN philosophy within the department and introducing innovative solutions. Training department leadership in scientific principles, time management, GMPs, technical requirements, and other relevant policies and regulations is also a key responsibility, ensuring adherence to company policies and safety programs. Effective communication is essential in this role, as the Director will need to relay department progress, problems, employee actions, new ideas, and other pertinent information to management. Interfacing professionally with other department managers to coordinate activities and address issues is also a critical aspect of the position. Furthermore, the Director will prepare and monitor the annual departmental budget, including project resource needs for business planning, departmental expenses, and capital projects, and will conduct an annual review of all production outlines and special outlines.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage assigned area to manufacture high-quality biological products.
• Assist in the transfer of new products from Process Development into Production and manufacturing qualifying/validation serials.
• Identify and resolve production problems, documenting findings and implementing solutions.
• Implement LEAN philosophy in the department and introduce innovative solutions.
• Train department leadership in scientific principles, time management, GMPs, technical requirements, and other relevant policies and regulations.
• Communicate department progress, problems, employee actions, new ideas, and other pertinent information to management.
• Interface professionally with other department managers to coordinate activities and issues.
• Prepare and monitor the annual departmental budget, including project resource needs for business planning, departmental expenses, and capital projects.
• Conduct an annual review of all production outlines and special outlines.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in related discipline.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Technical knowledge of biological production equipment and all biological operations necessary to produce high quality products.
• Ability to coach, develop and lead teams to achieve results.

Nice-to-haves

• Excellent management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Coaching and teamwork skills.

Benefits

• Multiple relocation packages for eligible roles.
• Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO).
• 8-week parental leave.
• 9 Employee Resource Groups.
• Annual bonus offering.
• Up to 6% 401K matching.