Pilot Plant Manager of the Biotechnology Resource Center
The Biotechnology Resource Center (BRC) harnesses the power of microorganisms — such as bacteria, fungi, and algae – to fuel growth of biotechnology projects both in the University of Minnesota (University) community and beyond.
The BRC’s facilities, located on the University’s St. Paul campus, offer a pilot-scale biomanufacturing plant unique in the state that provides state-of-the-art microbial cell and recombinant protein production and process development services.
The BRC serves academic partners and industry clients from the fields of agriculture, biofuels, human therapeutics, industrial biotechnology, and veterinary medicine. Partners and clients come to BRC with promising ideas that have been tested in the laboratory. Then the BRC assists partners and clients in developing and expanding the scale of their work to make further progress, aid in testing, and further science, with the goal of product commercialization. BRC services are designed to provide partners and clients with process development expertise as well as a larger supply of either their desired microorganisms or the products (e.g., proteins or chemicals) those microorganisms make.
More than providing facilities, machinery, and instrumentation, the BRC offers expertise. BRC staff members are knowledgeable in process development, fermentation, and production and ready to help researchers and organizations take the next step toward optimizing and scaling biomanufacturing processes, producing novel drugs, and more.
BRC will be moving to a new facility on the St. Paul campus beginning in December 2023. The Microbial Cell Production Facility (MCPF) is currently under construction and will house an expanded BRC on the 2nd floor. It is located in the Northeast Biotechnology Partnership District, a 15-acre parcel of land earmarked in UMN’s 20 year strategic plan for growth and development in biotechnology and related science/engineering disciplines. MCPF will provide a nucleus for commercial innovation and growth in the District. The District already houses the Cargill Building, home to research faculty from the College of Biological Sciences and the College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences studying microbial and plant genomics.
Summary of Position: The Biotechnology Resource Center (BRC) plant manager provides technical leadership and support for the BRC. The manager is responsible for overseeing all BRC plant operations including but not limited to: planning, scheduling, and implementing client fermentation and/or downstream processing projects; customer/vendor interactions; writing project reports, production Standard Operation Procedures, and quality system documents; equipment maintenance; laboratory safety and compliance; procurement and shipping; hiring, training and managing BRC staff; and conducting lab courses and demonstrations. The incumbent will also participate in ordering capital equipment for the new Microbial Cell Production Facility (MCPF) and managing vendor relations during equipment procurement and commissioning.
Provide technical leadership for all BRC operational activities, including project and personnel scheduling, execution of client production runs, generation of production documentation, and equipment and plant maintenance as needed
Direct the execution of fermentation, purification, and other projects in the BRC based on partner and customer needs and research
20% Client and Customer Relations
Serve as the main point of contact between clients and BRC employees
Collaborate with clients and BRC employees to define, plan and schedule projects
Facilitate communication to ensure transparency with the process and the timeliness of projects
15% Budget
Identify and specify capital and other start-up equipment purchases for the MCPF
Provide accurate cost and time estimates for client projects
10% Project Management
Ensure client projects are performed to the BRC’s quality system Standard Operating Procedures, applicable external quality system guidance, and compliance with the University’s Institutional Biosafety Committee and University Health and Safety requirements
Foster an environment that adheres to University standards and regulations regarding safety, environmental protection, and labor laws
5% Employee Relations
Supervise hiring of key personnel for the MCPF and train personnel on plant operations and systems
Lead the development of a team to ensure high performance, talent succession planning, optimal staffing, and employee engagement
Essential Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science degree in biotechnology, microbiology, chemical engineering or related field required
8+ years industry experience in microbial fermentation and protein downstream process development and manufacturing technical operations
Demonstrated project management and supervisory expertise
Strong analytical problem-solving and strategic thinking skills
Able to sit, stand, walk regularly and lift up to 50 lbs
Preferred Qualifications:
Advanced degree
Expertise in microbial physiology and biochemical engineering fundamentals as applied to fermentation process design, optimization and scale-up
Practical experience and expertise with a broad range of fermentation processes and organisms
Familiarity with multiple biotechnology industry sectors (e.g. biopharma; veterinary; agriculture)
Experience in a regulated manufacturing environment (e.g. cGMP; USDA; ISO)
Experience in project scope management and outcomes
Ability to negotiate, resolve conflicts, and influence decision-making both internally and externally
Experience in hiring technical personnel and developing personnel training programs
Understanding of general business and accounting operations and principles
The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.
