Sr. Manager - Trait Machine Production

Job description

Title: Sr. Manager - Trait Machine Production

Location: San Diego, California

Position Type: Full-Time, Regular

Required Education: MA/MS or equivalent relevant experience at a similar level required

Area(s) of expertise desired: Plant Cell Biology, Gene Editing, Ag Biotech

Job Description:
We have an immediate opening for a Sr. Manager, Trait Machine Production to help us revolutionize plant breeding. This position will be a part of a team focused on scaling our gene edited trait production pipeline. The position requires an MA/MS degree in Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Plant Biology, or related field with a minimum of 10+ years of experience working in a production and/or research & development environment processing biological materials. Alternatively, a BA/BS degree with 12+ years of experience is required.

The successful applicant will lead a team responsible for Trait Machine Production operations and development of an automated cell culture platform supporting its patented gene-editing technologies. This position will play a central role in building and implementing a vision of an automated and scalable gene editing production platform by overseeing a multi-disciplinary team focused on the generation, identification, and advancement of gene editing candidates through the tissue culture production pipeline.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee a team (15+ direct and indirect reports) and participate in the day-to-day responsibilities of the tissue culture trait production pipeline, including media prep, production run planning, scheduling, logistics, handoffs, and processing of biological materials being advanced in the gene editing pipeline.
• Works closely with the group leader and the project manager to forecast and track resources and budgets, along with the development and maintenance of risk identification and mitigation strategies.
• Works closely with the group leader and the project manager to define and implement team objectives for the development and execution of the cell biology processes.
• Provide leadership, training and coaching of direct and indirect reports within the organizational structure.
• Implement robust quality system controls to ensure minimal production loss and maintain efficient processes.
• Identify ways to improve process efficiency and collaborate with development teams to transfer new technologies to the production pipeline
• Enable success of up- and down- stream activities in gene editing production system through cross-functional, matrixed collaboration.
• Promote communications and ensures that all team members and stakeholders are fully informed, knowledgeable, and current with project development and SOPs.
• Collaborate across department on the development of high-throughput biological processes and integrate with other functional teams to assess project needs, determine systems development direction, and ensure milestone achievement.
• This position offers an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual to broadly influence at all levels of the company from project conception to commercial scale production.

REQUIREMENTS:

• The candidate must have good theoretical and working knowledge of cell biology in a production or manufacturing environment and have the interest to apply that experience to plant cell biology and tissue culture techniques.
• Capable of troubleshooting tissue culture related procedures, identifying process gaps and participation in all steps of standard operating procedure development and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated experience to build, manage and lead a dynamic team across multiple shifts to achieve both technical and professional growth success.
• Proven track record of success in managing teams of 7-10+ reports, with multiple levels of direct and indirect supervising responsibilities.
• Experience establishing and reporting on metrics and Key Performance Indicators, root cause analysis and managing corrective actions to support operations excellence.
• Experience with laboratory information management systems, inventory management and database development.
• Leads by example and willing to work side-by-side with reports while using positive strategies to establish a professional environment of trust, respect, and collaboration.
• Has a strong sense of enablement with a demonstrated ability to achieve success through direct and indirect reporting responsibilities.
• Demonstrated track record of innovation and improvement of production processes.
• Broad scientific capabilities with a demonstrated ability to collaborate across functional teams, providing guidance and direction to achieve success.
• A skilled motivator, capable of influencing at all levels of an organization.
• Strong proactive communicator with demonstrated success using both oral and written strategies to communicate project status, and direction.
• An independent problem solver with a demonstrated ability to identify creative solutions to complex challenges and to improve process efficiency.
• Strong organizational skills and capable of identifying and managing external interactions such as service providers and other collaborations.
• Capable of achieving success in a dynamic and fast-paced Production and/or R&D environment, is a strong promoter and implementer of change.
• Prior experience working in an agricultural biotech and/or plant biology environment is highly desired.

For immediate consideration apply today!

Questions? Please reach out to Jessica at

You should know: Your safety matters! Vaccination against COVID-19 may be a requirement for this job in compliance with current client and governmental policies. A Kelly recruiter will confirm and share more details with you during the interview process.

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