Operations Manager

Application Deadline: 23 February 2026

Department: Network Planning and Operational Structure

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hayward, CA

Reporting To: Pilot Facility Manager

Compensation: $130,000 - $160,000 / year

Description

Key Responsibilities

• Safety:  
  • Work closely with EHS Manager and Facility Manager to develop and implement site safety policies and permits, ensuring operations personnel receive and understand required training.
  • Advocate a Zero Harm safety culture
  • Openly discuss and understand team members safety concerns and develop plans to address the concerns in a timely manner.  
  • Strongly advocate Job Safety Analysis and Pre-task briefs with clear stop work criteria
• Lead the development of SOPs, batch records, checklists, troubleshooting guides, data displays, DCS displays, etc. that will serve as tools to equip and empower personnel to consistently succeed in a technically demanding environment.
• Training:
  • Lead the development of training documents and programs for all unit operations, building on fundamental principles towards a more advanced understanding of the equipment as well as integrated process design. 
  • Lead the development of training documents on design and operational strategies used to achieve aseptic operation in the fermentation area, ensuring team members understand these strategies.
  • Ensure personnel are trained on process flows and protocols for each specific client, with clear expectations for support if deviations occur which could impact meeting client objectives.
• The Hayward Pilot plant facility is currently in a construction phase with completion in early 2027. While the initial focus will be on generating safety and training documentation, at Start-Up, the Operations Manager will lead a team of shift supervisors. The Operations Manager will establish clear roles/responsibilities/expectations for shift supervisors.  
• Operations Manager will be responsible for establishing the daily/weekly production schedule, ensuring the team and plant equipment are ready to execute against said schedule.  The Operations Manager will also be involved in troubleshooting efforts when equipment and processes deviate from normal conditions.  
• Maintenance and Reliability:  The Operations Manager will manage the execution of the preventive maintenance plan and reactive maintenance for the Hayward facility and will be responsible for the maintenance budget.  A Maintenance Technician will report to the Operations Manager and assist with planning and coordinating maintenance activities with external contractors.  Operations Team members will be trained on using the maintenance software to generate work requests in accordance with established protocols.  
• Logistics:  The Operations Manager will communicate the production forecast with the Logistics team ensuring raw material inventories are adequately maintained to support the production schedule.  
• Environmental:  Ensure Operations team remains compliant with all site environmental and waste water permits.
• Food Safety:  The Hayward site could produce food grade products to support client applications testing.  The Operations Manager will support the Quality Assurance systems by implementing the required plant sanitation programs, food safety and food defense programs, and to ensure the pilot plant is prepared for all food safety audits.
• Other duties as assigned by Facility Manager.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Minimum of 3 years in one of the following roles for a biotechnology-based organization (pilot scale, commercial scale, or CDMO)
  • Shift supervisor or operations manager, supervising a team of at least 4
  • Upstream or Downstream process engineer closely tied to supporting operations or process development supporting technology transfer 
  • Education.  B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering preferred.  If candidate is not degreed, will consider candidate who has demonstrated a strong work history in biotechnology-based organizations (pilot, commercial, or CDMO) in either operations or process development
• Clearly demonstrate a strong working knowledge of fermentation and downstream separation processes commonly utilized in biotechnology and industrial fermentation

Job Benefits

• 100% employer-paid options for medical, dental, and vision  
• Paid time off that accrues from your hire date
• 13 paid holidays, including a winter closure between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
• Hybrid work policy for most positions; 
• Stipend for internet and personal phone use 
• 401(k) retirement plan with up to 6% match on compensation (no vesting period!) 
• Discretionary Incentive Plan based on organizational and individual performance 
• 100% employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance 
• Paid parental leave 
• Section 125 Flexible Spending Plan for medical and dependent care 
• Commuter pre-tax benefit 
• Full access to LinkedIn Learning’s suite for professional development 
• Free parking, casual dress code, free snacks and beverages, and on-site gym access at both offices
• Fun on and off-site employee activities sponsored by the Employee Engagement Committee 
• And much more