Senior Manager, Manufacturing Programs

Role Summary

The Senior Manager, Manufacturing Programs plays a critical role in ensuring facility readiness and equipment reliability for CAR-T manufacturing operations. This role leads key strategic programs focused on maintaining the facility in a state of GMP readiness, ensuring equipment availability, and supporting operational scalability. It requires strong cross-functional leadership, program ownership, and the ability to influence teams across engineering, facilities, maintenance, and operations. It also provides program and operations leadership to drive reliability improvements and ensures seamless execution of manufacturing priorities, including project and change management for readiness of new products, processes, and site expansion.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional programs to support facility design, equipment lifecycle management, and ramp readiness for current and future CAR-T operations.
• Champion reliability initiatives to reduce equipment downtime and improve turnaround time in support of manufacturing needs.
• Drive continuous improvement projects that enhance equipment performance, process robustness, and overall operational reliability.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Manufacturing and partner groups (Engineering, Facilities, Maintenance, MS&T, QA) to remove barriers to equipment and facility readiness.
• Represent Manufacturing's priorities in site-wide forums and influence alignment across partner functions to enable operational success.
• Develop and manage clear, actionable project plans; track milestones and deliverables, and provide regular updates to key stakeholders and site leadership.
• Participate in strategic planning for site growth and support readiness activities for new product introductions, tech transfers, and expansion initiatives.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor's or Graduate degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field.
• Experience: 7+ years in a GMP-regulated environment, preferably biologics or cell therapy manufacturing.
• Proven success in leading complex programs or projects across multiple departments.
• Strong understanding of equipment qualification, maintenance practices, and GMP facility operations.
• Experience in facility startup, technology transfer, or large-scale program execution preferred.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills, with ability to present clear, concise project plans and updates to leadership and stakeholders.
• Ability to influence without authority and drive cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Education

• Bachelor's or Graduate degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field.