Blending Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate with the Product Development team to transition lab or pilot formulas into plant-ready batch instructions and operating procedures.
• Manage engineering and first-time production runs, capturing process data and adjusting blend times and operating procedures to ensure “right-first-time” success.
• Oversee blend studies (mix time, order of addition, equipment settings) to enhance homogeneity, yield, and throughput.
• Analyze production run data to identify sources of variation and implement improvements that minimize scrap, rework, and downtime.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation—SOPs, change controls, and deviation reports—to support internal audits and meet customer requirements.
• Evaluate and lead the commissioning of new mixing, sifting, and automation equipment as production needs evolve.
• Partner with Maintenance teams to introduce real-time monitoring or data-collection tools to improve process visibility, employee safety, and efficiency.
• Act as the technical liaison between R&D, Planning, Purchasing, and Production to coordinate launch timelines and blend capacity planning.
• Train production technicians and supervisors on new procedures and best practices to ensure operational excellence and safety.

Process Optimization

Oversee blend studies (mix time, order of addition, equipment settings) to enhance homogeneity, yield, and throughput. Analyze production run data to identify sources of variation and implement improvements that minimize scrap, rework, and downtime.

Stability & Quality Support

Maintain comprehensive documentation—SOPs, change controls, and deviation reports—to support internal audits and meet customer requirements.

Technology & Equipment Integration

Evaluate and lead the commissioning of new mixing, sifting, and automation equipment as production needs evolve. Partner with Maintenance teams to introduce real-time monitoring or data-collection tools to improve process visibility, employee safety, and efficiency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Act as the technical liaison between R&D, Planning, Purchasing, and Production to coordinate launch timelines and blend capacity planning. Train production technicians and supervisors on new procedures and best practices to ensure operational excellence and safety.

Background

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Food or Pharmaceutical Science, or a related field. 5+ years of experience in a managerial role within blending/compounding or process engineering in food, dietary supplements, pharmaceutical, or similar manufacturing environments.
• Technical Skills: In-depth understanding of powder-mixing fundamentals and common blending equipment. Proficiency in statistical tools (e.g., Excel, Minitab/JMP) for data-driven problem solving. Proven experience writing or revising SOPs and batch records in a regulated manufacturing setting (GMP, ISO, or equivalent). Strong analytical mindset with exceptional problem-solving and critical thinking abilities. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of conveying technical information to both scientific and non-scientific audiences. Detail-oriented with outstanding documentation and organizational skills. Ability to manage multiple projects independently or collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• Soft Skills: Curious, analytical mindset with strong troubleshooting instincts. Clear communicator who can translate technical details to multidisciplinary teams. Organized self-starter comfortable juggling multiple projects in a dynamic environment. Nice-to-have: Lean or Six Sigma certification. Experience with Design of Experiments (DoE) for process optimization. Prior involvement in equipment commissioning or scale-up of new production lines.

Join Somafina

This role offers a unique opportunity to lead and innovate in our batching and blending processes, ensuring the successful transition of products from concept to market while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.