Technical Operations Manager

MegaFood, a Certified B Corporation and 1% for the Planet member, leverages 50+ years of scientific experience to thoughtfully craft quality supplements made with real food & nutrients that your body knows how to absorb. Since our founding in 1973, MegaFood has been committed to providing people safe, high quality supplements and takes food safety and quality seriously. MegaFood products are tested for 150+ pesticides are NSF GMP certified and are made without the top 9 food allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, and sesame.)  MegaFood is also Certified Plastic Neutral through its partnership with rePurpose Global and has enabled recovery of over 740,000 pounds of nature-bound plastic since it became certified in 2023. Learn more at megafood.com or follow @megafood on Instagram, @realmegafood on TikTok and @MegaFood on LinkedIn.

This role is not available for any form of immigration sponsorship or support, including completion of the Form I-983 training plan required for STEM OPT. 

The MegaFood Technical Operations Manager is responsible for developing and leading the Technical Operations Department through strong managerial and collaboration efforts in a working Manager and Engineering role. Fosters highly collaborative relationships with other leaders throughout the organization and within Pharmavite's partner companies. Responsible for developing, optimizing, and scaling manufacturing processes that enable the successful transfer of R&D innovations into repeatable commercial production practices. Provides technical expertise in evaluating and optimizing processes to reduce operating costs, improve product quality, and increase production efficiency as a means of implementing industry-leading scale-up and production standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides direction and mentorship to team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment while ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Creates and delivers on initiatives to improve processes. Leads team in support of problem-solving efforts through fact-finding, resulting in short-term corrective action and permanent long-term solutions. Supports cross-functional initiatives to improve product throughput and quality. Reports results in an accurate and timely fashion
• Independently owns, leads, and operates Laboratory, Pilot Plant, Manufacturing instruments and equipment. This includes cleaning, set-up, troubleshooting, running, and all in-process measurements associated with the assigned dosage form.
• Leads collaboration efforts with key business partners, including R&D, Pilot Lab, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Strategic Sourcing, Production, Supply Planning, and outside Equipment Manufacturers to support initiatives within Technical Operations.
• Takes a leadership role in investigating manufacturing challenges by defining problem statements and looking at inputs and outputs of processes to make recommendations on causes and potential corrective actions.
• Owns the role of preparing pilot trials, feasibility studies, manufacturing scale-up, and process verification batches by coordinating with appropriate groups and ensuring preplanning and coordination activities are complete prior to execution.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills. Capable of communicating at multiple levels in the organization.
• Responsible for maintaining and championing the team on good documentation practices. Responsible for facilitating, leading team execution, and owning the following documents: Technical Reports, SOPs, Master Batch Records (MBRs), Change Controls, Cost Quotes, and Process Verification/Validation Protocols, P&PV Summary Reports, IOQ (Installation Qualification, Operations Qualification, Performance Qualification, Technical Transfer Documentation, and other similar technical documents.
• Demonstrates a strong communication and collaboration skillset, bringing ideas and information together from a host of disciplines, departments, and data generators.
• Makes recommendations and owns the implementation of approved solutions related to and/or process, equipment improvements, improved Laboratory, Pilot Plant, and Manufacturing operations.
• Owner in the technical space for providing support in developing product and process improvements related to all dosage forms and/or delivery systems.
• Authors, reviews, approves, and implements technical documents to include, but not limited to: technical reports, CAPA (corrective action and preventive action), SOPs (standard operating procedures), MBRs (master batch records), change controls, cost quotes, IOP/Q’s (Installation/Operational/Performance Qualifications) summary reports, and stability protocols.
• Ensures efficient operations in assigned project spaces in accordance with MegaFood safety requirements, SOP’s, and GMPs. Ensures functional operation and preventative maintenance of equipment to reduce and eliminate accidental injury.
• Trains Technical Operations, Product Development, and Manufacturing staff on new processes and equipment technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree or equivalent work experience Technical field - Required
• 4-6 years related experience Industry experience (pharmaceutical, nutritional, food, or other consumer packaged goods) in manufacturing, technical support, process/product development, or Quality testing.  - Required
• 1-3 years related experience Supervisory Experience - Preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Strong Demonstrated ability in problem-solving skills, PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act), and lean mentality, courage to question processes and procedures to achieve best-in-class/breakthrough operational improvements.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and successfully communicate with a diverse workgroup and with other internal departments and teams.
• Proven ability to effectively and tactfully communicate with others.
• Comprehensive knowledge of product and process development, manufacturing equipment, processing/testing laboratory techniques, and regulatory requirements.
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills.
• Math skills required to calculate averages, percentages, and process times.
• Basic to intermediate computer skills in MS Word and Excel. PowerPoint preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a small team leader as well as support SME cross-departmentally

Physical or Work Requirements
Splits time between office-based work and manufacturing or operational environments. Employees are required to use computers and attend meetings while also regularly walking in production areas, climbing stairs or platforms, wearing PPE in operational spaces, and occasionally lifting or moving light materials or equipment. Work may occur in environments with manufacturing noise, moving equipment, temperature variation, or other operational conditions requiring safety precautions.

Travel
20% Support educational opportunities, trade and equipment shows, FATs (factory acceptance tests), and other projects necessary for success in the role.​

Compensation and Benefits

We are committed to meeting the needs of our employees and their families with a Total Rewards package that's as comprehensive as the vitamins and supplements we deliver to consumers. With competitive compensation programs and standout benefits, we provide employees with optimal health and well-being -- as well as peace of mind. These rewards -- plus our new recognition program -- ensure employees feel supported both at work and home.

National Target Base Pay Range: (min) $100,000 - (mid) $133,000 - (max) $166,000. The salary range for this position is based on national standards.

For candidates in California and New York metro the Target Base Pay Range is (min) $110,000 - (mid) $147,000 - (max) $184,000 to reflect the cost of living and market conditions in those areas.

Actual compensation will take into account a wide range of factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to geographic location, education, experience, qualifications, and job-related skills. It is not typical for an individual to be hired above the midpoint of the range for their role, and compensation decisions depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. This information is provided to applicants in accordance with state and local laws. 

Base pay is only one component of our total rewards offerings, and we will take the full offering into consideration when presenting an offer of employment.  Our total rewards package for this position may also include an annual performance bonus, Medical, dental, and vision benefits, 401K match, and other wellness benefits.  

Pharmavite provides compensation for all overtime hours worked by non-exempt (hourly) employees in accordance with state and federal law. The need to work overtime hours will be determined by management, based on customer and business necessity, to meet the needs of our business. MegaFood may require employees to work overtime. 

MegaFood is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, inclusion and belonging. The collective sum of our individual differences, knowledge, life experiences, and unique talents, represents a significant part of our culture and is the foundation for our accomplishments and impact.

MegaFood is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit employment discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, and any other basis protected by state and federal law. MegaFood recruits, hires, employs, trains, promotes, and compensates individuals solely based on job-related qualifications and abilities.

MegaFood also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities or based on a sincerely held religious belief, in accordance with applicable laws. If you need to inquire about an accommodation to complete the application process, please email [email protected].

CALIFORNIA FAIR CHANCE ACT:
Qualified Applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

JOB ALERT FRAUD:
We have become aware of scams from individuals, organizations, and internet sites claiming to represent MegaFood in recruitment activities in return for disclosing financial information.
Our hiring process does not include text-based conversations or interviews and never requires payment or fees from job applicants. All of our career opportunities are regularly published and updated on MegaFood.com’s Careers section.
If you have already provided your personal information, please report it to your local authorities. Any fraudulent activity should be reported to: [email protected].

DISCLOSURE:

Any misrepresentations or false statements during the application process, including regarding U.S. work authorization and/or the need for immigration sponsorship or support, may result in the rejection of candidacy or the termination of employment.