Associate Director, Manufacturing

Job Description

Date

2026:

Location

1300 Airport Road, North Brunswick NJ

Title

Associate Director, Manufacturing

Department

Manufacturing

• Reports to

Director, Manufacturing

FLSA (Exempt or Non-Exempt)

Exempt

Role Overview

The Associate Director of Manufacturing supports the Manufacturing Director in overseeing daily manufacturing operations to ensure the efficient, safe, and compliant production of high-quality products. This role focuses on operational execution, team leadership, process optimization, and quality compliance while helping implement manufacturing strategies aligned with company goals. The Associate Director acts as a key liaison across departments to maintain production schedules, improve performance, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Areas of Responsibility

Manufacturing Operations

• Operational Support & Execution: Assist in managing day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure production targets, timelines, and quality standards are consistently met. Support production planning and scheduling to ensure optimal utilization of labor, materials, and equipment.
• Process Optimization: Identify inefficiencies in manufacturing processes and support continuous improvement initiatives to increase productivity, reduce waste, and improve cost effectiveness. Assist in implementing new processes, technologies, or equipment to enhance operational performance.
• Production Monitoring: Track production performance, KPIs, and output metrics. Escalate risks or delays and recommend corrective actions to maintain on-time delivery.
• Resource Coordination: Ensure availability of raw materials, equipment readiness, and staffing levels to meet production demands.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervisory Leadership: Provide direct oversight and guidance to manufacturing supervisors, leads, and staff across production, maintenance, and quality-related functions.
• Coaching & Mentorship: Support employee development through coaching, on-the-job training, and performance feedback to improve skills, engagement, and accountability.
• Performance Management: Participate in performance evaluations, corrective actions, and recognition initiatives to drive high performance and consistent standards.
• Workplace Culture: Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and safety-focused work environment that encourages accountability and continuous improvement.
• Recruits, trains, develops, retains, rewards, and recognizes personnel to achieve targeted strategies and goals.

Safety & Compliance

Safety Leadership: Support the enforcement of health and safety programs to ensure a safe, incident-free work environment. Participate in safety audits, inspections, and investigations.

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local regulations, as well as internal policies and procedures.
• Training Compliance: Ensure employees complete required safety, GMP, and job-related training in a timely manner.

Quality & GMP

• Deviation Support: Assist in deviation investigations related to batch records and manufacturing processes. Support root cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
• cGMP Compliance: Ensure compliance with cGMP requirements including gowning, hygiene, documentation, and manufacturing controls.
• Documentation Accuracy: Oversee accurate and timely completion of batch records, logbooks, SOPs, and other controlled documents.
• Quality Collaboration: Work closely with Quality Assurance and Quality Control teams to ensure manufacturing processes meet product specifications and regulatory requirements.

Cost & Efficiency Management

• Cost Control: Support monitoring of manufacturing costs and assist in identifying opportunities for cost reduction without compromising quality or safety.
• Waste Reduction: Help implement initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, and inefficiencies across manufacturing operations.

Collaboration & Communication

• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with engineering, supply chain, quality, and senior leadership to align manufacturing activities with business priorities.
• Reporting: Assist in preparing and communicating production updates, performance metrics, and operational issues to the Manufacturing Director and leadership team.

People & Organizational Support

• Talent Development: Support hiring, onboarding, training, and retention of manufacturing personnel.
• Policy Adherence: Ensure consistent application and communication of company policies, procedures, and ethical business practices.
• Employee Engagement: Address employee concerns and feedback to support morale, productivity, and retention.

Other Responsibilities

• Work extended hours or weekends as required to support operations.
• Maintain open communication with management regarding operational status and issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Education & Qualification:

• BS Degree in Engineering, Pharmacy, Science, or Chemistry
• 7–10 years of experience in a manufacturing environment, with at least 4–6 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Minimum of six (6) years of work experience in nutritionals, supplements, food, or pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.

Certifications, Licenses, Credentials:

• Certifications such as CPE, CPMM, OSHA training, or similar are preferred.

Skills & Ability:

• Certifications such as CPE, CPMM, OSHA training, or similar are preferred..

Physical Requirements (lifting, etc.):

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.; occasionally lift and move up to 75 pounds.
• Must stand and walk on the production floor for a minimum of 6 hours per shift
• Uses hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects or controls, lifting to waist height and/or above shoulder height, frequent bending from the waist, or squatting, walking short distances.
• Occasionally works from a rolling ladder or step stool, must be to lean over equipment as well as kneeling on the floor to clean under the equipment.
• Must be able to wear all PPE including a lab coat, face mask, booties, gloves, safety glasses/goggles, and respirators.

Work Environment (Office, Warehouse, temperature extremes, etc.):

• Work is regularly performed inside a manufacturing environment where temperatures can be moderate, exposure to dust, odors, noise, and fumes. The noise level is usually moderate. Employees can be exposed daily to chemicals and cleaning agents.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the job responsibilities, duties, skill, or working conditions. In addition, this document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

USPL is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

Benefits And Compensation: Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of USPL. From health and wellness benefit options including medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan. Employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, sick time, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 10 days of vacation in the first year, which grows to 12 days starting the second year of employment.:

Job Description Acknowledgement

I have read and understand the job requirements, responsibilities, and expectations set forth in the job description provided for my position. I attest that I can perform the essential job functions as outlined with or without any reasonable accommodation.

1st shift 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM