Manager, Manufacturing & Distribution

Bloodworks Northwest is backed by more than 70 years of Northwest history and 250,000 donors. A national leader in transfusion medicine, Bloodworks has been chosen to serve more than 90 hospitals in Washington, Oregon and Alaska – partnering closely with local hospitals to deliver the highest level of patient care. Patients with traumatic injuries, undergoing surgeries or organ transplantation, or receiving treatment for cancer and blood disorders all depend on our services, expertise, laboratories and research. We are local, nonprofit, independent, volunteer-supported and community-based.

We have a fantastic new job opportunity for a Manager in our Product Manufacturing and Hospital Services Departments. As a member of the Leadership Team, you will oversee the organization's day-to-day activities that support short- and long-term organizational goals.

The Manager of Manufacturing & Distribution executes departmental strategies and oversees day-to-day operations for the Product Manufacturing and Hospital Services departments across the Bloodworks footprint. This role ensures products and services are delivered effectively and efficiently, in compliance with regulatory standards. This role coordinates staff and resources to meet inventory and hospital customer needs, supports continuous improvement initiatives, and leads supervisors and staff. The Manager serves as a key liaison between strategic planning and operational execution, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and customer requirements.

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following as a Bloodworks Manager and Leadership Team Member.

As a member of the Leadership Team (LT)

• Participate as a collaborative member of the LT to support leadership across the organization, and provide leadership to the teams and functions that report to you.
• Appropriately and responsibly serve as a representative of Bloodworks / The Organization in your interactions with employees, volunteers, vendors, donors, and others.

As a leader of Bloodworks

• Provide timely and honest feedback to fellow managers regarding how the team functions
• Challenge and offer support to fellow managers to ensure each department is contributing to the success of the organization
• Ensure workforce safety by implementing safety policies and monitoring safety incidents.
• Maintain confidentiality

Within the department

• In partnership with senior department leaders, help set the department's direction, vision, values, goals, and objectives consistent with Bloodworks' mission and strategic plan; consistently model these values and coach and mentor to the same expectations. Contribute to and build on current practices and procedures to support values, mission, and goals.
• Personally demonstrate and inspire a commitment to quality by complying with laws, regulations, standards, policies, procedures, and practices; ensure department actions align with this commitment.
• Hire, develop, and retain a successful supervisor team and direct reports
• Ensure all department employees have relevant goals and that evaluation is ongoing
• Monitor the successes and challenges of direct and indirect reports
• Ensure the department supports a balance of employees' personal and business goals
• Ensure customer needs and expectations are met
• Manage the department budget and forecasting
• Understand the current state and best practices of our industry; know what the competition is doing
• Recommend and maintain proper staffing levels to carry out department objectives

• Recommend and provide systems, resources, and procedures as appropriate to achieve the department’s success
• Drive for continuous process improvement and standard work

• Maintain visibility to and presence in the department that results in performance assessment through dialogue and visual management

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to: As the Manufacturing & Distribution Manager:

• Contribute to the management team in setting the vision, direction, and execution for the Product Manufacturing and Hospital Services departments:
• Lead departmental goal-setting and execution.
• Support strategic and long-term planning initiatives.
• Monitor and evaluate service delivery to ensure quality customer service.
• Recommend, prioritize, and ensure the successful implementation of production workflow, cost-saving, quality, and efficiency improvements to support departmental goals. Identify, evaluate, and propose opportunities to expand services and products.
• Collaborate with Donor Services, Logistical Services, and other departments to develop effective collection and delivery strategies that maximize inventory and manage cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborate and partner with Hospital Services Senior Leaders to manage customer relations and ensure service agreement (contract) requirements are met:
• Schedule and host periodic, formal service reviews.
• Manage, report on, and influence customer activity to optimize inventory.
• Assist with contract compliance review.
• Triage customer complaints, concerns, and billing issues appropriately.
• Assist with customer service recovery efforts (e.g., root cause investigations, development of corrective actions) following customer loss or significant customer concerns.
• Monitor and maintain an optimal inventory through blood component imports and exports.
• Evaluate, analyze, and implement new and existing instrumentation and techniques to enhance component processing, storage, and distribution.
• Ensure departmental operations comply with Bloodworks NW, AABB, OSHA/WISHA, CLIA, FDA, and other applicable regulations.
• Oversee key department metrics, including quality indicators and customer feedback.
• Oversee the development, revision, and accuracy of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and validations.
• Oversee workforce planning and resource assignments to ensure optimal utilization, productivity, and cost-effectiveness. Partner with Supervisors to address resource challenges and identify solutions.
• Coach, mentor, and hold Supervisors accountable for effective employee relations, performance management, scheduling practices, communication, and consistent application of policies and procedures.
• Work with Supervisors to promptly respond to inter- and intra-departmental issues and resolve operational challenges.
• Interpret and execute departmental policies, implement corrective actions and process improvements to support quality, compliance, and efficiency.
• Serve as liaison between Quality Assurance and Medical to ensure product and patient safety.
• Maintain oversight of training, competency, and proficiency requirements for all staff, including Supervisors.
• Communicate and collaborate with other leaders on key programs, projects, and product-related issues. Support the Director in developing, managing, and reporting on the department budget.
• Plan and coordinate departmental readiness for business continuity, emergency operations, and supply-disruption scenarios, including staffing coverage, inventory contingency planning, communication protocols, and escalation pathways.
• Promote high standards of customer service within the department, across the organization, and with external customers and business partners.
• Serve as or designate the primary contact for internal and external audits, inspections, and assessments.
• Represent the department and Bloodworks in internal and external forums, committees, and professional events, building and maintaining strong relationships with hospital customers, suppliers, vendors, and other key stakeholders.
• Comply with all applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as written.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Sciences - Chemical, Physical, Biological, Clinical Laboratory, Health Administration, or equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in blood banking or laboratory operations.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory/management experience.
• Proficiency in technical, leadership, and team-building skills.
• Strong knowledge of transfusion medicine, component preparation, and regulatory compliance is preferred.
• Leadership experience in a fast-paced, manufacturing-oriented industry is preferred.

Specific job skills include, but are not limited to:

• Ability to understand the criticality of testing results as they relate to the blood components being prepared for transfusion. Includes a fundamental understanding of the financial value of the testing and blood components being prepared. This includes knowledge of applicable regulatory and industry regulations and standards, and the necessity to follow all regulatory rules and regulations (AABB, CFR, EU, CLIA, HIPAA, and State), including FDA’s “Good Manufacturing Practices”.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively in a team-oriented environment with staff from other departments.
• Demonstrated written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Understanding of interactions among multiple computer systems serving the department, including data entry and extensive review steps.

• Ability to perform multiple tasks concurrently while addressing periodic interruptions, computer downtime, etc. The ability to react quickly and effectively, prioritize workload, and continuously reprioritize to accommodate tight deadlines and a varying production workload.
• Ability to follow complex process steps involving multiple computer systems and physical inventory handling, ensuring component safety, purity, and potency across a wide range of repetitive tasks in a moderately noisy, high-volume production environment.
• Must model a high level of professionalism and teamwork.
• Required mental activities include continuous decision-making; customer service and interpersonal skills; teamwork; problem analysis; independent judgment and/or action; mentoring; giving presentations/teaching; using discretion and negotiation; and reading, writing, speaking, and comprehending English. Other required mental activities include creativity and basic math.
• Required physical activities include continuous, repetitive hand/wrist motions. Other required physical activities used less often include standing, walking, and talking (used frequently); reaching and sitting (used occasionally); and stooping, bending, and kneeling (used rarely).
• The job requires lifting and carrying 20 pounds throughout a normal day, as well as occasionally lifting 50 pounds.

LEADERSHIP TEAM CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Values-based Leadership
• Fact-based Management
• Teamwork

• Strategy
• Operational Excellence
• Talent Development

• Communications
• Community Presence
• Personal Development

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• This is a highly regulated position and is subject to the rules and regulations of various regulatory agencies and accrediting bodies. These may include, but are not limited to, FDA, AABB, CLIA, and CAP. This position requires the incumbent to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays, and extra time, and to take on on-call responsibilities as assigned.
• Work is primarily conducted in an office environment; telecommuting is permitted on a frequency basis that may vary depending on the nature of the work and other factors.
• Extensive computer work, including viewing computer displays, is a continuous condition of this job.
• Sitting is a frequent condition encountered in performing this job.
• This incumbent is expected to support staff across various shifts and locations. As a result, after-hours work will be required as appropriate. The incumbent will also be required to travel to other locations at least once per quarter.
• As a member of the Bloodworks Leadership team, and as this is an essential position with direct responsibility to patients, the incumbent should be prepared to work extended and/or consecutive shifts and/or possibly at a different location during periods of inclement weather or emergency operations. Refer to the Human Resources policy or department supervisors for more information. In certain client facilities, the incumbent may be required to apply for and obtain clearance to enter the client's property. This clearance process may require the incumbent to undergo additional levels of screening beyond Bloodworks’ standard pre-employment screening.
• Bloodworks is a community-supported nonprofit organization. As a result, the incumbent will work with volunteers. occasionally
• This position has indirect exposure to blood products.

Benefits and Perks:

Employees regularly scheduled for 24+ hours per week are covered by medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, with family coverage also available. Employees are also eligible to participate in retirement plans (401a & 401b), a consolidated paid leave program (4.8–6.8 weeks of time off accrued per year, based on length of service), a subsidized transit program, and educational reimbursement. Candidates hired from outside of our service area may be eligible for a relocation assistance bonus*

*Conditions apply

Bloodworks Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.