Company Summary: Centor is a Gerresheimer company. Centor/Gerresheimer is an innovative systems and solutions provider and a global partner for the pharma, biotech and cosmetic industries. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of pharmaceutical containment solutions, drug delivery systems and medical devices as well as solutions for the health industry. The product range includes digital solutions for therapy support, medication pumps, syringes, pens, auto-injectors and inhalers as well as vials, ampoules, tablet containers, infusion, dropper and syrup bottles and more. Centor/Gerresheimer ensures the safe delivery and reliable administration of drugs to the patient. With 35 production sites in 16 countries in Europe, America and Asia, Gerresheimer has a global presence and produces locally for regional markets. With around 12,000 employees, the company generated revenues of around €2bn in 2023. Gerresheimer AG is listed in the MDAX on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN: DE000A0LD6E6).
Job Title: Operations Manager
Reports To: Director of Operations
Location: Berlin, Ohio
Industry: Packaging Manufacturing
Position Summary
The Operations Manager is responsible for the overall performance of manufacturing operations within an assigned building, value stream, or business unit. This role is accountable for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people performance while ensuring compliance with regulatory and quality system requirements.
The Operations Manager leads cross-functional execution and drives operational excellence through structured performance management, workforce development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Organizational Context - Reports to: Plant Director / Director of Operations
- Direct Reports:
- Production Supervisors (multi-shift)
- Process Engineer
- Matrix Collaboration:
- Quality Engineer (building owner)
- Maintenance Manager
- Supply Chain / Planning
- HR and EHS
The Operations Manager has
end-to-end accountability for operational execution, while partnering with embedded Quality and Engineering functions.
Core Responsibilities
- Operational Performance Ownership
Accountable for:
- Safety performance (LTIR, near-miss reporting)
- Quality metrics (CNQ, internal scrap/rejects, complaints)
- Delivery performance (OTIF)
- Cost performance (labor efficiency, scrap, overtime)
- Productivity and OEE
Establish daily management systems (tier meetings, KPI dashboards) to monitor performance and drive accountability.
- Safety & Compliance Leadership
- Ensure compliance with EHS regulations and internal safety standards.
- Reinforce safe work practices across all shifts.
- Maintain compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including:
- International Organization for Standardization standards (ISO 9001 / ISO 13485 as applicable)
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations (if applicable)
- Ensure audit readiness and support internal/external audits.
- Production Execution & Capacity Management
- Ensure production plans are executed according to schedule.
- Balance labor and machine capacity across shifts.
- Manage staffing models for multi-shift environment.
- Identify and remove operational bottlenecks.
- Lead escalation during major operational disruptions.
- Leadership & Workforce Development
- Develop Production Supervisors and frontline leaders.
- Drive engagement and accountability culture.
- Conduct performance evaluations and succession planning.
- Foster a high-performance team environment.
- Lead change management initiatives.
- Cross-Functional Alignment
- Partner with Quality Engineer to ensure defect prevention and rapid containment.
- Collaborate with Process Engineer on process improvements and technical upgrades.
- Align with Supply Chain to manage inventory and customer demand variability.
- Coordinate with Maintenance to ensure equipment reliability.
- Continuous Improvement & Cost Control
- Lead Lean manufacturing initiatives.
- Reduce cost of non quality (CNQ).
- Improve labor productivity, OEE and absorption rates.
- Implement structured problem-solving (DMAIC, 8D).
- Drive waste elimination and workflow optimization.
Authority Level
The Operations Manager has authority to:
- Allocate labor resources
- Approve overtime and staffing adjustments
- Escalate production holds (in partnership with Quality)
- Approve operational expenditures within budget
- Initiate improvement projects
Required Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related discipline.
- 3 - 6 years of manufacturing experience.
- 3+ years of leadership experience in multi-shift operations.
- Strong knowledge of:
- Lean manufacturing
- KPI management systems
- Capacity planning
- Financial acumen (cost control, budgeting)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in regulated industries (pharma, medical device, prescription packaging)
- Lean Six Sigma certification
- Experience managing operations in decentralized structures
- Injection Molding process experience
Key Competencies
- Operational execution discipline
- Strategic and tactical balance
- Data-driven leadership
- Decisiveness under pressure
- Financial accountability
- Cross-functional influence
- People development capability
Performance Metrics
- Safety (LTIR, recordables)
- Quality (PPM, complaint rate)
- OTIF delivery
- OEE
- CNQ Scrap % of sales
- Labor productivity
- Employee engagement and retention
Role Impact
In a building-level ownership model, the Operations Manager functions as the
operational general manager, accountable for:
- Daily execution discipline
- Cross-shift performance consistency
- Alignment between production, quality, and engineering
- Financial performance of the building
Pay Range:
95k - 105k
What we offer:
Total rewards package with compensation
Healthcare
Prescription drug coverage
Flexible spending accounts
Wellness
Disability coverage
401k match
EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
Life insurance
PTO (Paid Time off)
Holidays
Gerresheimer/Centor is an Equal Opportunity Employer and affords equal opportunity to all applicants and employees for all positions without regards to race, color, religion, sex national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
