Operations Manager
Franklin, WI
Full Time
Manager/Supervisor
About Us:
Microbial Discovery Group (MDG) is an R&D-driven product development and Bacillus fermentation company. We apply Real Science to a Trusted Process, yielding Proven Success for our partners. At MDG, we recognize the need for sustainable solutions to the world’s largest problems, and we work to solve them as part of our mission to Feed, Clean, Save the World. As a member of our team, your ideas and innovations are integral to who we are. Come grow with us!
Position Summary:
The Operations Manager leads all daily operations and strategic initiatives within the Fermentation Department, ensuring alignment with the organization’s broader goals. This role oversees supervisors in fermenter operations, spray drying and freeze drying. Acting as the primary point of contact for key customer accounts, the Operations Manager ensures production performance meets client expectations. By driving performance monitoring, team development, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement, this role fosters operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Oversight
Strategic Planning & Execution
Customer-Facing Leadership
Performance Monitoring
Team Leadership & Development
Inventory & Material Control
Budget and Resource Management
Compliance & Quality Assurance
Continuous Improvement
Qualifications:
Education & Experience
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Work Environment and Physical Requirements:
Safety Requirements:
Microbial Discovery Group (MDG) is an R&D-driven product development and Bacillus fermentation company. We apply Real Science to a Trusted Process, yielding Proven Success for our partners. At MDG, we recognize the need for sustainable solutions to the world’s largest problems, and we work to solve them as part of our mission to Feed, Clean, Save the World. As a member of our team, your ideas and innovations are integral to who we are. Come grow with us!
Position Summary:
The Operations Manager leads all daily operations and strategic initiatives within the Fermentation Department, ensuring alignment with the organization’s broader goals. This role oversees supervisors in fermenter operations, spray drying and freeze drying. Acting as the primary point of contact for key customer accounts, the Operations Manager ensures production performance meets client expectations. By driving performance monitoring, team development, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement, this role fosters operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Oversight
- Manage the Fermentation Department, overseeing production scheduling, operational product quality, safety, and day-to-day execution.
- Provide direct supervision and support to fermentor operations, spray dring and freeze drying.
- Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration with engineering, maintenance, process development, logistics, and quality teams (QA/QC).
- Partner with QA/QC to maintain compliance with standards; ensure operational ownership of process performance and product consistency.
Strategic Planning & Execution
- Contribute to and execute the plant’s strategic operational goals with a focus on capacity planning, production scalability, and technology adoption.
- Align departmental objectives with company-wide initiatives and KPIs.
Customer-Facing Leadership
- Serve as the operational point of contact for key customers regarding production timelines, performance, and issue resolution.
- Lead regular meetings with customer-facing teams (Sales, Customer Service) to align production capabilities with client expectations.
- Translate customer requirements into actionable operational plans and ensure successful execution
Performance Monitoring
- Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate efficiency, operational quality, and cost-effectiveness.
- Use data-driven decision-making to identify trends, mitigate risk, and improve overall plant performance.
- Ensure that product output meets internal quality expectations and customer requirements from an operational standpoint.
Team Leadership & Development
- Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous learning.
- Provide mentorship, coaching, and growth opportunities for all direct reports and frontline teams.
- Lead employee development plans and succession planning within the department.
Inventory & Material Control
- Oversee inventory management processes to ensure raw material availability aligns with production schedules.
- Ensure teams are maintaining accurate inventory logs, batch records, and material usage documentation.
- Collaborate with Procurement, Warehouse, and Planning teams to monitor supply levels and anticipate material needs.
- Ensure timely ordering and reconciliation of materials while minimizing production downtime and overstocking.
Budget and Resource Management
- Develop and manage departmental budgets in alignment with financial goals.
- Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or safety.
- Optimize utilization of raw materials, labor, and equipment to maximize output and minimize waste.
Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Ensure all operations comply with regulatory requirements, including GMP, OSHA, FSMA, and other applicable standards.
- Collaborate with the QA/QC departments to uphold product safety, process control, and documentation practices.
- Lead the operations team’s ownership of process quality and corrective actions to meet compliance and internal standards.
Continuous Improvement
- Champion Lean Six Sigma practices to drive operational improvements, reduce inefficiencies, and eliminate waste.
- Lead structured problem-solving initiatives and root cause analysis for deviations, quality issues, or production delays.
- Instill a mindset of continuous improvement and proactive problem-solving within the operations team.
Qualifications:
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Operations Management, or a related field required.
- 6–10 years of progressive experience in a regulated manufacturing environment (biotech, food, fermentation, pharmaceutical, or chemical).
- Minimum 4 years of experience managing people leaders and cross-functional teams.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to lead both strategic initiatives and daily operations effectively.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact with customers and cross-functional teams.
- Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with Lean Six Sigma methodology; Black Belt certification preferred.
- Proven ability to drive change, improve team performance, and meet aggressive goals.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements:
- Majority of work is conducted in a temperature-controlled office environment and may require extended periods of sitting.
- Work regularly occurs on the production floor and includes site visits across three facilities.
- Requires hands-on engagement with equipment, materials, and operations.
- May include occasional lifting (up to 50 lbs).
- May be exposed to airborne particles and chemicals used in fermentation production facilities.
Safety Requirements:
- Adherence to all company safety procedures and regulations to maintain a safe working environment.
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