Production and Planning Manager – Bioprocess Systems

Production And Planning Manager – Bioprocess SystemsWe are currently seeking applications to fill the following job opening at Asahi Kasei Bioprocess where we sell Planova® virus removal filters and develops and manufactures related bioprocess equipment.Company: Asahi Kasei Bioprocess America, Inc.Job Description: The Production and Planning Manager – Bioprocess Systems is responsible for leading and coordinating the assembly and wiring of fluid management process equipment for the biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical market. This role is focused on production leadership, planning, and cross-functional alignment, ensuring systems are delivered safely, on time, at quality, and at cost.Rather than being a primary "doer" of assembly work, the Production Manager drives execution through the team consisting of welders, assembly technicians, and electrical technicians by establishing clear priorities, aligning resources, and removing barriers. A critical component of this role is maintaining tight integration with Project Management to align production capacity with the project pipeline, proactively manage constraints, and optimize throughput.The Production Manager collaborates closely with Project Management, Engineering, Quality, and Design to ensure project timelines are achieved while also identifying opportunities to utilize available capacity for building standard products to stock.

This role establishes and drives a culture of continuous improvement, safety, accountability, and effective communication across all levels of the organization.Location: Glenview, ILPrimary Duties and Responsibilities:Production Leadership & Direction Lead, coach, and develop the systems assembly team, ensuring clear accountability, role clarity, and performance expectationsDrive execution through leads and technicians rather than direct hands-on assembly workEstablish a structured, organized production environment, including 5S standards and effective use of tools and workspacePromote a strong culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvementProduction Planning & Execution Own production planning and scheduling for systems builds based on project demand and available capacityTranslate engineering designs (2D/3D) into executable production plans through the teamIdentify and proactively mitigate risks to schedule, labor constraints, or material availabilityPartner with Supply Chain, Project Management, Engineering, and Quality to remove bottlenecks and maintain flowProject Management Integration Partner closely with Project Management to: Align production schedules with the project pipeline and customer delivery commitmentsForecast departmental turnaround of expected tasks and deliverables for project plan creation and updatingPrioritize work and assign resources across active projectsIdentify gaps in capacity and secure temporary or contract labor as neededProvide clear, real-time communication on production status, risks, and constraintsAct as the primary operations interface for execution planning and fulfillment alignmentCapacity Management & Inventory Strategy Continuously assess production capacity and forecast future resource needs based on backlog and pipeline visibilityCommunicate when excess capacity exists and proactively recommend building standard systems or subassemblies to stockReplace hands-on inventory management with system-level planning and coordination to ensure materials support production schedulesCommunication & Cross-Functional Leadership Serve as a key communication bridge between production, Project Management, Engineering, Quality, and LeadershipEffectively communicate with all levels of the organization—from shop floor technicians to executive leadershipLead daily/weekly production reviews, planning meetings, and escalation discussionsTranslate complex and shifting priorities into clear, actionable direction for the teamTeam Management, Quality, and Safety Manage and develop a growing team of skilled technicians and/or leads across multiple disciplinesEstablish individual development plans and support skill progression within the teamDrive engagement and ownership through clear connection of daily work to company goalsEnsure accurate and transparent reporting of quality and safety issuesApply company policies, support performance management processes, and maintain positive employee relationsPromote company values (Challenge, Creativity, Sincerity, Wisdom, Curiosity, Growth, Passion, Responsibility)Additional Duties and Responsibilities Support standardization efforts for system builds where applicableContribute to operational strategy discussions related to capacity, footprint, in-house vs. sub-contracted capabilities and scalabilityLead or participate in continuous improvement initiatives across OperationsMinimum Requirements:Technical certificate, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree10+ years of experience in manufacturing, equipment assembly, or similar production environments, with strong preference for electro-mechanical integrated systems manufacturing5+ years of leadership experience with direct team responsibilityDemonstrated experience in production planning, scheduling, and resource allocationUtilize existing data to make decisionsStrong cross-functional collaboration experience, preferably with Project Management teamsFamiliarity with Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001:2015 preferred) and cGMP environmentsSafety-oriented mindsetCritical Skills & Attributes: Exceptional communicator with the ability to engage effectively across all levels of the organizationStrong leadership and team development capabilityHighly organized with the ability to manage competing prioritiesProactive problem solver with a focus on execution and resultsAdaptable and capable of managing regularly shifting production demands and prioritiesCustomer-focused and team-oriented mindsetExperience in engineered-to-order or capital equipment manufacturing (Preferred)Lean manufacturing / continuous improvement experience (Preferred)Project management software experience (Preferred)Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions:Regular presence in a production environmentTemperature controlled environment, nice working environmentRegular exposure to welding, assembly, wiring, and testing activities requiring proper PPEHours will be 6am to 3pm, one shift, M-FAbility to lift 45 lbs as neededThe base compensation range for this role is $90,000-$120,000. Base Compensation is influenced by many factors including, but not limited to: time in the role, previous experience, skills, knowledge, performance, work requirements, internal equity, and business / economic conditions.As an equal opportunity employer, Asahi Kasei believes a diverse workforce will provide us with the ability to continuously support the changes in the economy, society, and environment.