Director, Technical Services/Manufacturing Science
Elanco · Fort Dodge, IA
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Travel
- 10%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Pharma & life sciences
- Posted
- 3 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level manufacturing role at Elanco (pharma & life sciences) in Fort Dodge, IA. You will lead a high-performing team of scientists and engineers responsible for the technical stewardship of all manufacturing processes at the Fort Dodge site.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- FDA / GMP, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
- Day to day
- about 10% travel · relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Iowa: typical posted base $100k–$121k.
Median of the low and high ends of 5 live postings that list pay, out of 11 manufacturing engineer openings in Iowa, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Iowa plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 10 other live manufacturing postings in Iowa.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
Typical $100k–$121k, from 5 postings that list pay.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Lean 55%
- Six Sigma 36%
- Team leadership 27%
- New product launch 27%
- EHS / safety 27%
- SolidWorks 27%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for FDA / GMP, 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 Manufacturing team at Elanco
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?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- The posting says about 10% travel. Between which sites?
- 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.
This plant: Elanco in Fort Dodge
1 other open role at this site.
- Sr. Director - Site Quality Lead · Quality · Director+
Full description from ElancoAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Your Role: Director – Technical Service/Manufacturing Science (TSMS)
As the TSMS Director, you will lead a high-performing team of scientists and engineers responsible for the technical stewardship of all manufacturing processes at the Fort Dodge site. In this role, you will drive technical strategy, ensure GMP compliance, and foster a culture of innovation to support current production and future growth.
Your
Responsibilities
- ◆Provide strategic technical leadership for manufacturing processes including biological antigen production, aseptic processing, vaccine formulation, and filling.
- ◆Ensure regulatory compliance and operational excellence through robust application of GMP, periodic product reviews, and process validation activities.
- ◆Lead, coach, and develop a technical team of scientists, engineers, and statisticians to create a high-performance culture of accountability.
- ◆Champion site safety and environmental stewardship by ensuring safe laboratory and pilot plant operations and participating in hazard assessments.
- ◆Drive continuous process improvement and technical problem-solving by leveraging data analytics and collaborating across the Elanco network.
to Succeed (minimum qualifications)
- ✓Education: Bachelor’s in engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Bioprocess), Chemistry, Microbiology, or a related scientific or technical discipline.
- ✓Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, animal health, or biotechnology manufacturing with progressive leadership in technical services or process engineering.
- ✓Top 2 skills: Deep understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and proven ability to lead and develop high-performing technical teams through complex problem-solving.
What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications)
- ✓Master’s degree in related discipline
- ✓Direct experience with vaccine manufacturing, viral or bacterial antigen production, aseptic processing, or lyophilization.
- ✓Experience managing process validation, technology transfers, and investigations in a regulated environment.
- ✓Demonstrated ability to interface effectively with Quality, Engineering, and Regulatory teams to influence business outcomes.
- ✓Experience working within a matrixed, global technical organization with a strong professional network.
- ✓Track record of mentoring and developing early-career technical talent for leadership pipelines.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!
Additional Information
Travel: 10%
Location: Fort Dodge, IA - Site-Based
Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco Benefits and Perks
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
- •Multiple relocation packages
- •Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
- •8-week parental leave
- •9 Employee Resource Groups
- •Annual bonus offering
- •Flexible work arrangements
- •Up to 6% 401K matching
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.