Upstream Manufacturing Manager

Job Description

About the Role:

We are looking for an experienced Upstream Manufacturing Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations for a chemical reference standards business producing organic and inorganic chemical standards, reagents, and related products.

 

In this role, you will lead a manufacturing team, drive safe and efficient production, and ensure we consistently meet quality, delivery, productivity, and customer requirements. You will work closely with Quality, Planning, Procurement, Logistics, Engineering, Technical Support, and Commercial teams to improve manufacturing performance and build a strong culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

 

This is a great opportunity for a hands-on manufacturing leader who enjoys developing people, solving operational challenges, improving processes, and using data to drive decisions.

 

This is a 100% onsite position based in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Candidates must currently reside locally or within a reasonable commuting distance. Relocation assistance is not provided.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead Manufacturing Operations: Oversee daily manufacturing activities and production priorities to meet safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity goals.
• Lead and Develop Teams: Coach, develop, and engage production employees and frontline leaders by setting clear expectations, providing feedback, supporting training, and creating opportunities for growth.
• Oversee Chemical Manufacturing: Ensure production involving organic and inorganic chemistry is performed safely and in accordance with approved procedures, specifications, and applicable requirements.
• Drive Safety and Quality: Promote a strong safety culture and partner with Quality and technical teams to address issues, support investigations, and maintain process integrity.
• Improve Processes: Identify opportunities to improve production flow, reduce waste, increase productivity, strengthen standard work, and improve schedule adherence through Lean, root cause analysis, and structured problem solving.
• Use Data to Drive Decisions: Monitor production, quality, inventory, labor, and scheduling data to identify trends, address issues, and improve operational performance.
• Partner Across the Business: Collaborate with Planning, Procurement, Quality, Logistics, Engineering, Technical Support, Customer Service, Product Data Management, and Commercial teams to align manufacturing priorities with customer and business needs.
• Plan Resources and Capacity: Evaluate staffing, equipment, materials, and process constraints to support current production needs and future capacity.
• Maintain Manufacturing Systems: Ensure accurate use of manufacturing systems, batch records, work instructions, production schedules, inventory transactions, and other required documentation.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Experience leading manufacturing, production, laboratory operations, or technical operations, ideally within a chemical or regulated manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of organic and inorganic chemistry, chemical formulation, solution preparation, raw material control, and safe chemical handling.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing teams and working effectively with cross-functional partners.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to identify trends, solve problems, and make operational decisions.
• Ability to balance safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer needs in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication, organization, and decision-making skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with SAP or another ERP/manufacturing system, including production orders, inventory, material availability, scheduling, or manufacturing execution.
• Experience working in ISO 9001, ISO 17025, ISO 17034, GMP, DEA-regulated, or other regulated environments.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, root cause analysis, visual management, standard work, or operational excellence.
• Experience leading supervisors, team leads, chemists, technicians, operators, or cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with analytical chemistry, chemical standards, certified reference materials, traceability, stability, or quality control testing.
• Knowledge of dangerous goods shipping, regulations, and transportation requirements.
• Experience with Excel, Power BI, SQL, or other data analytics and reporting tools.

Additional Details

This job has a full time weekly schedule. Applications for this job will be accepted until at least October 14, 2026 or until the job is no longer posted.

The full-time equivalent pay range for this position is $84,160.00 - $131,500.00/yr plus eligibility for bonus, stock and benefits. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. During the hiring process, a recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for a preferred location. Pay and benefit information by country are available at: https://careers.agilent.com/locations

Agilent Technologies, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity and merit-based employer that values individuals of all backgrounds at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation and will not be discriminated against on these bases. Agilent Technologies, Inc., is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive in the workplace where everyone is welcome, and strives to support candidates with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance with any part of the application or interview process or have questions about workplace accessibility, please email job_posting@agilent.com or contact +1-262-754-5030. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please visit www.agilent.com/en/accessibility.

Travel Required:

No

Shift:

Day

Duration:

No End Date

Job Function:

Manufacturing