Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations
Kansas Ag Connection · Topeka, KS
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Production
- Degree
- Required
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level production role at Kansas Ag Connection (industrial) in Topeka, KS. In this role, you will be accountable for delivering a safe, compliant, and reliable supply while building organizational capability, driving operational excellence, and shaping long-term manufacturing strategy.
- They ask for
- degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, FDA / GMP, Automation
- Day to day
- relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Production Engineer roles in Kansas: typical posted base $93k–$154k.
Median of the low and high ends of 5 live postings that list pay, out of 15 production engineer openings in Kansas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Kansas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 14 other live production postings in Kansas.
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Team leadership 67%
- EHS / safety 40%
- ✓ Lean 40%
- ✓ FDA / GMP 33%
- ✓ Six Sigma 27%
- SAP 20%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Automation, 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 Kansas Ag Connection
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 Kansas Ag ConnectionAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
and internal standards* Lead and develop a high-performing organization by building leadership capability, strengthening technical depth, and driving engagement and succession planning* Drive continuous improvement through Lean, Six Sigma, and digital manufacturing to improve right-first-time performance, cycle time, yield, and cost efficiency* Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Technical Operations, Supply Chain, R&D, and Commercial teams to enable successful product launches, tech transfers, and lifecycle management* Oversee capital strategy and execution, including facility expansions, automation, and equipment upgrades to support long-term growth* Proactively manage operational risk and resilience, including deviations, capacity constraints, and business continuity planning* Represent manufacturing at the enterprise level, contributing to global strategy, network decisions, and senior leadership forums ****What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):**** * **Education:** Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred* **Required Experience:** Significant leadership experience in biopharmaceutical, biologics, or vaccine manufacturing with accountability for site-level performance* **Top Skills:** Proven ability to lead large, complex organizations; deep knowledge of GMP manufacturing and regulatory environments; strong business and operational acumen ****What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (preferred qualifications):**** * Experience in monoclonal antibody (mAb) or biologics manufacturing* Demonstrated success leading multi-functional manufacturing organizations* Strong experience with regulatory inspections and compliance (FDA, USDA, global agencies)* Track record of driving Lean, Six Sigma, and digital transformation initiatives* Experience leading capital projects, facility expansions, and automation programs ****Additional Information:**** * **Travel:** Occasional travel required* **Schedule:** Monday-Friday with flexibility based on business needs* **Location:** Elwood, Kansas Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification. You may be the right candidate for this role or others. ****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 for eligible roles* 8-week parental leave* 9 Employee Resource Groups* Annual bonus offering* 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 expressi
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Minimum Education Completed: \* | || Education Major / Discipline Category: \* | | Most Recent / Current Occupation: \* | |**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!** ****Your Role: Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations**** As **Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations**, you will lead end-to-end manufacturing operations for monoclonal antibody (mAb) vaccine production, including upstream, downstream, fill/finish, and site support functions.
In this role, you will be accountable for delivering a safe, compliant, and reliable supply while building organizational capability, driving operational excellence, and shaping long-term manufacturing strategy.
You will serve as a key member of the site leadership team and a critical link to enterprise manufacturing priorities. ****Your Responsibilities:**** * Provide strategic and operational leadership for all manufacturing functions, ensuring alignment with business goals and portfolio needs* Own site manufacturing performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity, with full accountability for results* Ensure consistent, compliant, and reliable supply through strong production planning, capacity management, and disciplined execution* Embed a culture of quality, compliance, and inspection readiness in alignment with global regulatory