Production and Planning Manager – Bioprocess Systems

Production And Planning Manager – Bioprocess Systems

We 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, IL

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Production Leadership & Direction
  • Lead, coach, and develop the systems assembly team, ensuring clear accountability, role clarity, and performance expectations
  • Drive execution through leads and technicians rather than direct hands-on assembly work
  • Establish a structured, organized production environment, including 5S standards and effective use of tools and workspace
  • Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement
• Production Planning & Execution
  • Own production planning and scheduling for systems builds based on project demand and available capacity
  • Translate engineering designs (2D/3D) into executable production plans through the team
  • Identify and proactively mitigate risks to schedule, labor constraints, or material availability
  • Partner with Supply Chain, Project Management, Engineering, and Quality to remove bottlenecks and maintain flow
• Project Management Integration
  • Partner closely with Project Management to:
    • Align production schedules with the project pipeline and customer delivery commitments
    • Forecast departmental turnaround of expected tasks and deliverables for project plan creation and updating
    • Prioritize work and assign resources across active projects
    • Identify gaps in capacity and secure temporary or contract labor as needed
    • Provide clear, real-time communication on production status, risks, and constraints
  • Act as the primary operations interface for execution planning and fulfillment alignment
• Capacity Management & Inventory Strategy
  • Continuously assess production capacity and forecast future resource needs based on backlog and pipeline visibility
  • Communicate when excess capacity exists and proactively recommend building standard systems or subassemblies to stock
  • Replace hands-on inventory management with system-level planning and coordination to ensure materials support production schedules
• Communication & Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Serve as a key communication bridge between production, Project Management, Engineering, Quality, and Leadership
  • Effectively communicate with all levels of the organization—from shop floor technicians to executive leadership
  • Lead daily/weekly production reviews, planning meetings, and escalation discussions
  • Translate complex and shifting priorities into clear, actionable direction for the team
• Team Management, Quality, and Safety
  • Manage and develop a growing team of skilled technicians and/or leads across multiple disciplines
  • Establish individual development plans and support skill progression within the team
  • Drive engagement and ownership through clear…