​​Director/Vice President, R&D and Manufacturing​

$150,000 - $200,000/Yr

Acrobiosystems - Newark, DE

Full-time - Senior

Newark, DE

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing

About the position

ACROBiosystems is a worldwide leader in developing and manufacturing recombinant proteins and critical reagents/assays to support drug development and clinical applications. The Director/Vice President of R&D and Manufacturing will play a crucial role in the strategic planning, leadership, and operational management of our upcoming R&D, manufacturing, and demo center. This position is designed for a visionary leader who is passionate about building operations from the ground up, with a clear path toward establishing a full-scale manufacturing facility. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of our operations in the Greater Philadelphia or Boston area. In this role, you will lead the development and implementation of strategic plans for site selection, facility design, and operational setup in alignment with corporate goals. You will collaborate with executive leadership to define the growth trajectory and expansion plans, targeting a transition from an R&D hub to a manufacturing scale-up. You will oversee the development of the R&D and demo center, ensuring the project is completed on time, within budget, and according to requisite specifications. This includes coordinating with local authorities, construction firms, and suppliers for the smooth execution of site development plans. As the Director/Vice President, you will build and maintain a high-performance operational team capable of managing R&D operations initially and manufacturing operations at scale. You will implement operational best practices, lean principles, and continuous improvement methodologies to optimize performance and quality. Compliance and regulatory affairs will also be a key focus, ensuring that the site's operations comply with all regulatory standards and environmental, health, and safety requirements. You will work with the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs teams to establish a compliant operational framework for product development and manufacturing. Financial management is another critical aspect of this role, as you will manage the site's budget and resources effectively, ensuring cost-efficiency and optimal utilization of resources. You will provide periodic financial reporting to executive leadership and work with finance teams to adjust plans as required. Collaboration and leadership are essential, as you will work with cross-functional leaders in R&D, Sales, and Marketing to ensure seamless operation and promotion of the demonstration facility. Additionally, you will represent the company in the greater Philadelphia or Boston biotech communities and establish a network of partnerships with academic, industry, and governmental organizations. Finally, you will develop talent acquisition strategies to attract top-tier scientists, engineers, and support staff, implementing training and development programs to build capabilities and support career progression within the team. Other projects or responsibilities may be required as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of strategic plans for site selection, facility design, and operational setup.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to define growth trajectory and expansion plans.
• Oversee the development of the R&D and demo center, ensuring timely and budget-compliant project completion.
• Coordinate with local authorities, construction firms, and suppliers for site development execution.
• Build and maintain a high-performance operational team for R&D and manufacturing operations.
• Implement operational best practices, lean principles, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and environmental, health, and safety requirements.
• Manage the site's budget and resources effectively, ensuring cost-efficiency.
• Provide periodic financial reporting to executive leadership and adjust plans as required.
• Work with cross-functional leaders in R&D, Sales, and Marketing for seamless operations.
• Represent the company in the biotech communities and establish partnerships with academic, industry, and governmental organizations.
• Develop talent acquisition strategies and implement training and development programs.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry.
• At least 5 years in a senior operational management role.
• Proven track record in the establishment and scale-up of R&D and/or manufacturing facilities.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills with the ability to drive and manage change.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Financial acumen with experience in budgeting and resource allocation.
• Familiarity with the regulatory landscape in the biotechnology sector, including FDA regulations and GMP practices.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $150,000 to $200,000 DOE plus bonus.