About the role
Production Manager (Primary Assembly) Production Manager (Primary Assembly) Elegen is blazing a path towards a biology-based economy with a highly innovative approach to DNA synthesis that delivers an industry leading length of 7kb in 7 business days with a 99.999% per base accuracy. Our multidisciplinary team of best-in-class biologists, chemists, hardware, and software engineers apply cutting-edge technologies and methods to solve critical bottlenecks in synthetic biology workflows to help our customers in pharma, biotech, agbio, and biomanufacturing streamline their work and realize the full potential of programmable biology. We are seeking a dynamic Production Manager to champion the efficiency and scalability of our Primary Assembly processes. In this role, you will lead the existing assembly process and support its scale-up through new technologies currently in development. The primary objectives for this position include managing and executing manufacturing batches, overseeing personnel, and conducting synthesis forecasting. You will drive cross-functional communication within the manufacturing team to predict readiness for downstream use while providing strong leadership to our production associates. Additionally, you will collaborate cross-functionally to introduce innovations that enhance the product’s robustness and scalability to meet increasing demand. Your contributions will directly impact the productivity and resilience of our production operations. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated team leader looking to join a uniquely innovative, rapidly moving, high-impact start-up. Beyond managing production, you will help build a culture of respect, integrity, and collaboration while working alongside leading scientists, engineers, and professionals. Essential
Responsibilities: Lead and Manage Primary Assembly Process: Provide technical expertise and support to the existing assembly process, ensuring reliable day-to-day operations. Identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to enhance performance and reliability. Timely Manufacturing: Manage and execute batch and personnel schedules to ensure on-time manufacturing output. Support lab execution as needed and coordinate with downstream teams to ensure product readiness. Forecasting and KPIs: Support production forecasting and track KPIs related to volume, quality, and efficiency. Analyze performance data to identify and drive improvements. Collaboration: Work closely with the Product Development and Continuous Improvements (PDI) and Research and Development (RD) teams to drive process improvements and support technology transfer into production. Team Management: Manage a small team of production associates, providing guidance, training, and support as needed. Ensure effective communication, teamwork, and adherence to safety and quality standards. Automation Support: Partner with the Automation Team to optimize instrument performance and provide feedback for process enhancements. Troubleshooting and Weekend Support: Provide troubleshooting assistance to address production issues. Offer on-call support as needed to maintain production continuity. Essential Candidate Profile: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (such as Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or a related discipline) 2+ years of experience in a lead production or manufacturing role in life sciences Strong knowledge and working experience in oligo synthesis, cloning, and gene synthesis processes Strong knowledge and working experience of different/integrated liquid handlers like Bravo, Tecan, Hamilton, Multiflow, and analytical instruments, especially Zag, DNA quantification devices, etc Proven ability to manage production batches and personnel schedules effectively Experience supporting daily lab execution, including batch records, SOP maintenance, and manufacturing documentation Experience working with LIMS, Jira, and Confluence Experience in forecasting and maintaining KPIs Excellent collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams Experience with new product implementation, operational scaling, and training operators Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills Availability to provide support over the weekend as needed Preferred Candidate