Manager, Operations
13 days ago
Los Alamitos
Job Description Job Title: Operations Manager – Food Lab Reports To: Chief Operating Officer Job purpose: At Food Allergy Institute (FAI), we help families achieve Food Freedom — the ability to eat without fear of allergic reaction — through our world-class Tolerance Induction Program® (TIP), a data-driven treatment model proven to safely desensitize severe food allergies. FAI combines research, clinical insights, and innovative food technologies to produce the precise, high-quality dosing products required in TIP treatment. The Operations Manager will lead daily operations of the FAI Food Lab — the facility that manufactures, inspects, and distributes precise micro-dose allergen gummy products used in the TIP treatment regimen. This role ensures that production meets rigorous standards for safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and consistency critical to patient outcomes. The ideal candidate combines operational leadership with passion for quality and process improvement, understands regulated food production environments, and thrives in a mission-driven, cross-functional organization advancing clinical results. Duties and Responsibilities: • Lead all Food Lab operations to meet production goals while ensuring safety, quality, and regulatory compliance., • Ensure consistent, accurate production of dosing products — including oversight of FDA adherence and product specifications aligned with TIP protocols., • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Clinical, R&D, Quality, Logistics, and Command Center) to ensure products support patient dosing plans and delivery schedules., • Ensure production meets internal quality standards and external third-party validation requirements for protein content and product integrity; uphold rigorous inspection processes that support patient safety., • Develop, document, and sustain SOPs, process flows, and training programs to support consistent operations., • Supervise and develop Food Lab Supervisors and team members., • Work with Product Development and R&D on new product launches such as maintenance bars and future formulations that support TIP treatment innovations., • Manage departmental budget and operational cost performance., • Champion effective planning, metric reporting, and operational forecasting., • Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) in Food Science, Operations Management, Business, or related field., • Two to four years of progressive experience in operations, manufacturing, or production leadership., • Demonstrated experience leading teams in a regulated production environment., • Strong knowledge of food safety principles. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to walk between multiple office locations that include the use of stairs (elevator is only available in some instances). This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 50 pounds. Direct reports: Food Lab Supervisors The company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. The company is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified applicants, and employees with disabilities to ensure they enjoy equal access to all employment opportunities and benefits of employment as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.