Manufacturing & Engineering Manager

At Amyris, we believe every career journey is unique and authentic to the individual. If this role excites you, we encourage you to apply and grow alongside us—you may be exactly the right person for this role or future opportunities.

Are you a technically grounded manufacturing leader who enjoys being the go‑to engineering resource for complex production and process challenges? Do you thrive in environments where safety, quality, and productivity are non‑negotiable—and where future growth depends on disciplined execution today? If so, we’d love to meet you.

We’re seeking a Manufacturing & Engineering Manager to serve as the technical and operational leader for manufacturing and process development at our Leland, NC site. This role provides strong engineering knowledge and troubleshooting support while owning manufacturing performance, process scale‑up, and capital planning.

This is a fully onsite role based in Leland, NC, supporting a 24/7 manufacturing operation.

Responsibilities

Safety, Compliance & GMP

• Provide and maintain a safe work environment by actively participating in site safety programs, committees, and audits.
• Ensure full compliance with all company policies and procedures, including ISO 22716 – Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) for cosmetics manufacturing.
• Proactively identify, suspend, or correct any activity that poses a risk to employees, the community, the environment, or plant equipment.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) regulatory requirements.

Manufacturing & Site Operations Leadership

• Manage all plant operations in alignment with company policies and in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Be accountable for achieving site safety, productivity, quality, cost, and delivery objectives.
• Collaborate with department managers to track, manage, and maintain operational budgets.
• Ensure consistent application of standard site processes across all departments to support reliable and efficient operations.

Process Development & Engineering Support

• Serve as the primary technical and engineering resource for manufacturing and process development at the Leland site.
• Provide engineering support for new products, as well as established products requiring new equipment, process modifications, or engineering studies to maintain or improve production and quality.
• Provide economic analysis and budgetary review to support new product introductions and process changes.
• Support troubleshooting of process upsets and operational challenges to maintain safe and reliable production.

Capital Projects & Engineering Execution (CAPEX)

• Oversee all engineering functions using Planning, Organizing, Implementing, and Controlling (POIC) principles.
• Plan and implement capital projects within approved budgets and timelines.
• Track and report progress of capital projects, providing monthly updates to the Global Director of Engineering.
• Collaborate with internal teams, external contractors, and vendors to ensure successful execution of engineering and construction activities.

Performance Management, Reporting & KPIs

• Track, analyze, and report on operational objectives, production targets, and process improvement initiatives.
• Develop, maintain, and routinely publish key performance indicators (KPIs) to communicate performance against site goals to leadership and stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment between operational strategy, production execution, and business objectives.

People Leadership & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Directly manage salaried and hourly employees in accordance with company policies, procedures, training requirements, and performance expectations.
• Conduct performance reviews and address performance or disciplinary matters as needed.
• Collaborate closely with plant personnel across all departments to ensure clear communication and effective implementation of change.
• Partner with business teams, customers, and key stakeholders across Amyris to support business objectives.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.
• Minimum of 8+ years of engineering experience in chemical manufacturing, including reaction, hydrogenation, distillation, or related process engineering areas.
• Demonstrated ability to provide hands‑on technical troubleshooting support in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed to meet operational objectives and respond to plant emergencies.
• Experience writing technical documentation and presenting information to varied audiences.
• Ability to communicate effectively across all levels of an organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing and/or process engineering in the chemical or specialty ingredients industry
• Experience leading plant operations or manufacturing teams, ideally in the chemical industry
• Demonstrated ownership of CAPEX projects, including planning, budgeting, and execution
• Experience working in regulated, GMP, or high-hazard manufacturing environments

Physical Requirements

• This position requires the employee to work on-site.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; climb, bend and stoop; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. 
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 65 pounds. 
• While working in this job the employee is frequently exposed to weather conditions including occasional extreme heat and cold.
• Must possess the ability to wear a respirator.

The salary range for this role is: $106,000 to $138,000.

Amyris is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. Salary offers are made based on internal equity and market analysis, and will vary based on the candidate’s skills, depth of experience and specific work location. 

Amyris is committed to providing a diverse array of inclusive benefits and perks to support employees and their families’ wellbeing including access to robust healthcare, mental wellness benefits, family leave, discounted fitness memberships, education reimbursement, flexible paid time off, 17 paid holidays, 10 paid sick days, and additional paid time off including 3 volunteer days, and bereavement.

What may Candidates Expect from Amyris?

At Amyris, we strive to provide a transparent and professional hiring experience. Our interview process typically includes a combination of in-person meetings and phone conversations. Genuine job offers are always communicated by an authorized member of our Human Resources team before being sent via email. Please note that all official communication from Amyris employees will come from an email address ending in “@amyris.com” or from "no-reply@greenhouse.io".

1. Fraudulent Employment Offers: Amyris has experienced a recent increase in fraudulent Amyris job listings on third-party sites, as well as fraudulent interview requests and job offers sent to candidates. In addition, people impersonating employees of Amyris have been sending fraudulent job screening or new-hire screening communications requesting candidates to provide personal information. Please be advised that these offers, communications, and impersonations are illegitimate and fraudulent. If You Receive a Suspicious or Fraudulent Communication or Employment Offer, please contact hr@amyris.com
2. We hold deep regard in the power of representation and cultivation of a diverse work environment. Join us at Amyris, where you can find a sense of belonging and know that your voice is centered. At Amyris, we believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) is essential to our core values. We embrace and encourage an equity-minded work culture, knowing that it is the driving force of innovation that positively impacts our employees, consumers, and communities. For Amyris, a sense of belonging is what drives our mission forward and is the foundation of everything we do, ensuring a healthier, more sustainable future for us all.
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