General Chemistry Operations Manager
Cardinal Health · Mansfield-West Building, MA
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Production
- Base pay
- $140k–$180k
- Experience asked
- 12+ years
- Industry
- Pharma & life sciences
- Posted
- 10 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management production role at Cardinal Health (pharma & life sciences) in Mansfield-West Building, MA. Additionally, the Manager establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics related to safety, compliance, turnaround times, laboratory utilization, instrument uptime, right-first-time performance, deviations, CAPAs.
- They ask for
- 12+ years
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, CAPA, FDA / GMP, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Automation
- Base pay
- $140k–$180k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Production Engineer roles in Massachusetts: typical posted base $155k–$205k. This one lists $140k–$180k.
Median of the low and high ends of 9 live postings that list pay, out of 26 production engineer openings in Massachusetts, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Massachusetts plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 25 other live production postings in Massachusetts.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (12+ vs 8+)
Similar roles usually ask 8+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Root cause 31%
- ✓ Automation 31%
- ✓ Lean 31%
- New product launch 27%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for CAPA, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Cardinal Health
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from Cardinal HealthAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
The incumbent is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for the QC Chemistry laboratory, ensuring the highest standards of compliance, quality, safety, and operational excellence. This role oversees all laboratory operations, including facility and equipment maintenance, instrument lifecycle management, computer system validation (CSV), commissioning, qualification and validation (CQV), Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), laboratory Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) programs, and Quality Management System (QMS) processes to maintain continuous GMP readiness and inspection preparedness.
The incumbent leads laboratory activities supporting routine and non-routine testing, extractables and leachables (E&L) studies, analytical extractions, USP compendial testing, method lifecycle management, and laboratory investigations. The role is accountable for ensuring regulatory compliance, data integrity, operational reliability, and effective execution of testing programs while driving continuous improvement initiatives across laboratory operations.
Additionally, the Manager establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics related to safety, compliance, turnaround times, laboratory utilization, instrument uptime, right-first-time performance, deviations, CAPAs, training compliance, and customer service. Working closely with Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Engineering, Validation, EHS, IT, and Scientific Services teams, this position drives a culture of operational excellence, risk management, innovation, and continuous improvement while ensuring the laboratory consistently delivers high-quality, compliant, and business-critical analytical support.
What Chemistry contributes to Cardinal Health
Quality develops and implements quality policies, procedures, and processes to ensure products and services comply with regulatory standards and specifications.
Chemistry performs laboratory testing to characterize the chemical properties of our medical device and pharmaceutical products. This job family develops and executes test protocols using specialized instrumentation and analytical techniques to assess chemical properties of finished drug products, medical devices, materials, processing aids, and the chemical constituents which may be released when a device is used in a clinical setting as well as the stability of pharmaceutical products.
Laboratory Operations Leadership
- •Lead all operational aspects of the Chemistry Center laboratory to ensure efficient, compliant, and cost-effective execution of laboratory activities.
- •Develop and implement strategic plans to support laboratory growth, capability expansion, and business objectives.
- •Manage laboratory capacity, workflow prioritization, staffing, and resource allocation.
- •Foster a culture of safety, compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Quality and Compliance
- •Ensure continuous GMP compliance and maintain a state of audit and inspection readiness.
- •Oversee implementation and maintenance of QMS processes, including deviations, CAPAs, change controls, investigations, and risk assessments.
- •Ensure compliance with FDA, USP, ICH, EMA, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
- •Promote and sustain data integrity principles across laboratory systems and processes.
Extractables & Leachables and USP Testing
- •Provide operational oversight for extractables and leachables (E&L) studies supporting product and packaging qualification.
- •Ensure effective execution of extraction studies, method development, method validation, and routine E&L testing activities.
- •Oversee USP compendial testing programs and ensure compliance with current pharmacopeial requirements.
- •Maintain laboratory capabilities to support product lifecycle, regulatory submissions, and customer requirements.
Laboratory Systems and Validation
- •Lead governance and compliance of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
- •Oversee Computer System Validation (CSV) activities for laboratory software and computerized systems.
- •Direct Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) activities for laboratory instruments, utilities, and equipment.
- •Ensure instrument qualification, calibration, preventive maintenance, and lifecycle management programs are executed effectively.
Facility and EHS Management
- •Oversee facility maintenance activities to ensure laboratory infrastructure supports business and compliance requirements.
- •Partner with EHS teams to maintain a safe working environment and ensure compliance with applicable environmental, health, and safety regulations.
- •Lead laboratory risk assessments and implementation of corrective actions to mitigate operational risks.
Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement
- •Identify opportunities to optimize laboratory processes, increase efficiency, and reduce operational risks.
- •Implement Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies where appropriate.
- •Support digital transformation initiatives, automation, and modern laboratory technologies.
- •Drive standardization of laboratory practices and operational procedures.
Performance Management and Metrics
- •Establish, monitor, and communicate departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics.
- •Utilize performance data to identify trends, mitigate risks, and drive informed decision-making.
- •Develop action plans to improve operational performance and customer satisfaction.
Key metrics may include
- •Testing turnaround time (TAT)
- •On-time testing completion
- •Instrument uptime and utilization
- •Right-first-time performance
- •Laboratory productivity
- •Training compliance
- •Deviation and CAPA closure rates
- •Audit and inspection observations
- •Safety performance metrics
- •Sample throughput
- •Customer satisfaction metrics
- •Cost management and budget adherence
People Leadership
- •Lead,