Global Director of Manufacturing

Reports to Chief Operating Officer (COO)

The Global Director of Manufacturing is responsible for leading and optimizing manufacturing operations across all ABEC production facilities worldwide.  This role drives operational excellence, safety, quality, productivity, capacity planning, workforce development, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure consistent execution of business objectives and customer commitments.

The position provides strategic leadership to site manufacturing leaders, standardizes processes across facilities, and partners with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, and Project Management to improve performance, reduce costs, and support the organization's long-term growth objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Manufacturing Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to Manufacturing Managers and Operations Leaders across all global sites.
• Develop and deploy global manufacturing strategies aligned with company objectives.
• Establish standardized manufacturing processes, procedures, and performance metrics.
• Drive accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity targets.

Operational Excellence

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives across all facilities.
• Implement best practices to improve efficiency, throughput, and cost performance.
• Identify and eliminate waste, bottlenecks, and non-value-added activities.
• Benchmark manufacturing performance across sites and share best practices globally.

Capacity and Resource Management

• Support long-range capacity planning and manufacturing footprint strategy.
• Ensure effective utilization of labor, equipment, and facilities.
• Coordinate with Planning and Project Management to meet customer delivery commitments.
• Evaluate staffing requirements and workforce development needs.

Quality and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable quality, regulatory, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Partner with Quality leadership to drive a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
• Support implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and root cause investigations.
• Maintain focus on GMP, ASME, customer, and internal quality standards where applicable.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, and Project Management to support project execution.
• Drive manufacturing input into design reviews, process improvements, and new product introductions.
• Support strategic sourcing and make-versus-buy decisions.

People Leadership

• Develop, mentor, and coach manufacturing leaders across all sites.
• Build succession plans and leadership development programs.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, teamwork, and employee development.
• Promote servant leadership and continuous learning throughout the organization.

Financial Performance

• Develop and manage manufacturing budgets and capital expenditure plans.
• Monitor and improve manufacturing cost performance.
• Support annual business planning and operational forecasting activities.
• Drive initiatives that improve profitability and operational scalability.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field required.
• Master's degree or MBA preferred.

Experience

• 15+ years of manufacturing experience.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience managing multi-site manufacturing operations.
• Proven experience leading large manufacturing teams in a global environment.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence programs.
• Experience in engineered-to-order, capital equipment, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or highly regulated manufacturing environments preferred.

Leadership and Business Skills

• Strong strategic planning and execution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change in complex organizations.
• Excellent financial and business acumen.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. Proven ability to build and develop high-performing teams.
• Experience managing global operations and cross-cultural teams.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel globally up to 30-40% as required. 

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Company Background: 

For over 50 years, ABEC has been a leading supplier to the biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry. ABEC’s unique value is based on combining long experience with the ability to engineer, design, manufacture, commission, qualify, and service the entire bioprocess to reduce overall cost, shorten time to market, and maximize productivity. ABEC’s products include process and equipment engineering/consulting services, comprehensive site services, and stainless steel and single use bioprocess equipment, including bioreactors and fermenters, filtration and chromatography systems, prep and hold systems, and cleaning/sterilization systems.  

 Benefits include:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance (Day 1)
• 3 weeks Paid vacation
• Industry leading 401K plan (40% match!)
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Company paid life insurance
• College tuition benefit program
• Employee Referral Program