Gowan USA Operations & Regulatory Manager

The manager will be responsible for our third-party toll manufacturing network throughout the US. This is comprised of 5-6 toll manufacturing companies with different sizes in terms of business volume (and number of SKU’s). The role is responsible for site evaluation and selection (including technology with the support from Yuma management), price and conditions negotiation and execution overseeing.

They will also oversee and manage a team of operations-related professionals (Customer Service, Demand & Production Planning, and Logistics) as well as Regulatory Staff (Registration and Labeling Specialists) at the Yuma, AZ site, where the company HQ is located.

As a key member of the S&OP forum, delivery of supply against market demand and the ability to maintain focus on cost control, strategic direction, continuous improvement, and process simplification is paramount. The manager will be the point of contact for the established network of external manufacturers, as well as a diverse group of internal stakeholders, including all organization levels up to, and including, the Gowan USA senior leadership team. This position reports to the Gowan USA President.

• Oversee and provide technical support to the production processes at all Gowan Company contracted sites.
• Establish strategic direction and lead toll site selection and change management processes to ensure fail safe, timely, and cost-effective supply of the product portfolio.
• Recruit, train, develop, build, and manage an outstanding operations team with focus on succession planning and progression of internal talent.
• Take responsibility for the development and execution of local manufacturing strategy, as well as team and personnel management within the Yuma office (5-7 direct reports) to include Customer Service, Logistics, Procurement and Planning functions.
• Negotiate contracts to maximize savings over multiple years of spending, including performance and delivery clauses and other relevant supply terms and conditions.
• Evaluate production history and network capabilities to promote enhancement of supply contracts, identifying areas of opportunity and potential improvement.

• Manage team of buyers with responsibilities of procuring packaging, adjuvants, surfactants (wetting agents, dispersants, emulsifiers), amines, anti-foams, functional granules and powders, etc., in support of customer and production requirements.
• Work with Global Procurement team to ensure on-time delivery of key active ingredients.
• Lead the budgeting process, justification, implementation, and monthly variance evaluation for Supply Chain activities under direct responsibility.
• Specific process focus areas will include Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), inventory management, MRP/MPS scheduling, cost reduction, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Support interdepartmental projects with a focus on relationships with Regulatory, Marketing, and Development.
• Take responsibility for the personnel management within the Yuma office (5-7 direct reports) to include Registration and Labeling Specialist functions.
• General Knowledge of US EPA Product Labeling and Registration Requirements.
• Product and Packaging Labeling requirements.
• Be the Lead GUSA contact for Offer To Pay inquiries and Internal Process.

• Excellent analytical and people skills, a team player that leads by example.
• Must be a strong change agent, problem solver, and possess business acumen.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Proven oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively across multicultural levels of the organization.
• Ability to manage simultaneous urgent tasks, and work in fast-paced, seasonal business.
• Knowledge of Crop Life International standards and application of standards.

• Undergraduate Degree in Biological Sciences, Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
• Experience with Oracle, SAP, or other similar ERP systems highly desirable.
• 3 or more years of contract manufacturing experience in the chemical industry, covering formulation and packaging operations in a regulated environment (industrial / pilot / laboratory scale with various technologies; eg. EC, SC, WP, WG).
• Previous experience in supplier selection and contract negotiation
• Previous experience in budgeting, financial review and costing preferred.