Operations Leadership Development Associate (On-site)

Purpose and Scope

The Operations Leadership Development Program (OLDP) at Tolmar is a two-year, immersive development experience designed for motivated recent college graduates who have demonstrated strong achievement, curiosity, initiative, and the desire to build a meaningful career in operations and manufacturing leadership. Through four distinct six-month rotations, Associates gain hands-on exposure to manufacturing and supporting operational functions and work alongside experienced leaders across Manufacturing, Engineering, Manufacturing Science & Technology (MS&T), Operational Excellence, and Quality Systems.

The program is intentionally structured to challenge high-potential Associates, accelerate learning, strengthen technical and leadership capability, and provide meaningful opportunities to contribute to projects that improve safety, quality, efficiency, and business performance. Associates are expected to take ownership of their development, seek feedback, learn quickly, and stretch beyond assigned responsibilities. By the end of the program, OLDP Associates will be prepared for potential progression into operations leadership roles at Tolmar, with a primary focus on opportunities within Manufacturing.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Proactively identify opportunities for process improvement and propose practical, actionable solutions that demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, and ownership.
• Seek out and volunteer for challenging tasks or projects beyond assigned responsibilities, consistently following through to achieve goals and deliver strong results.

• Support and implement process improvements and optimization in manufacturing and operational procedures.

• Participate in leadership training, technical lead assignments, and stretch experiences across departments to develop confidence, adaptability, and leadership skills.

• Enhance technical writing skills by preparing deviation reports, change controls, validation protocols, standard operating procedures, and other documentation.
• Learn and support technical troubleshooting activities within Engineering and Maintenance as needed.

• Work closely with cross-departmental project teams to contribute fresh perspective, strong execution, and disciplined follow-through in support of new or improved

• Apply Lean operational concepts by executing key improvement projects, utilizing specialized training provided.
• Use basic statistical methods to support data trending, technical problem solving, process evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with regulations for drugs and medical devices, including USP, ICH, and FDA requirements.
• Complete a supervisory rotation supporting the day-to-day leadership of a team of manufacturing operators under the guidance of an experienced leader, with emphasis on employee safety, quality, compliance, production requirements, and applicable HR policies.

• Model high ethical standards, initiative, integrity, reliability, accountability, and trustworthiness in all work activities.

• Promote and sustain a positive, respectful, and harassment-free workplace environment for all employees.
• Operate in accordance with Tolmar’s Code of Conduct, Business Ethics, and all established regulatory, compliance, and safety requirements.
• Participate in and follow all required Tolmar training programs.
• Demonstrate adaptability, eagerness to learn, and willingness to take on additional related duties or stretch assignments as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Ability and eagerness to quickly develop proficiency in the operational systems that support Tolmar’s Operations.

• Demonstrated skill in effective technical writing.

• Capacity and motivation to grow leadership abilities through supervisory exposure, coaching, feedback, and hands-on operational experience.

• Basic understanding of Lean Concepts such as 5S, leader standard work, line balancing, poka yoke, and centerlining.
• Introductory knowledge of FDA regulations, USP, NF, ICH, EP, and their application to manufacturing processes.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Capacity to gain experience in equipment troubleshooting, maintenance, repairs, and escalation.
• Strong written, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with other departments to achieve significant business outcomes.

• Critical thinking, sound judgment, and a bias for action in timely problem-solving.
• Mindset of curiosity, eagerness to learn, continuous improvement, and openness to coaching and feedback.
• Demonstrated record of high achievement, ownership, and follow-through in academic, internship, co-op, work, leadership, or extracurricular experiences.
• Strong drive to learn quickly, take initiative, seek feedback, and stretch beyond assigned responsibilities in pursuit of personal growth and business results.
• Ability to communicate project updates, recommendations, and opportunities to executive leadership with clarity, confidence, humility, and openness to feedback.

Core Values

This position is expected to operate within the framework of Tolmar’s Core Values:

• Center on People: We commit to support the well‑being of our patients and treat our employees and those we serve as valued partners. By placing people at the heart of our actions, we actively engage, invigorate, acquire knowledge, and grow together with an enterprise‑wide mindset that lifts the whole organization.
• Are Proactive & Agile: We embody a culture of engagement and action. With a hands-on approach, we fearlessly adapt to change. We anticipate, respond swiftly and efficiently to ignite a spirit that propels us towards extraordinary outcomes.​
• Act Ethically: We are committed to consistently conducting our business in an ethical, compliant, and socially aware manner, in line with our purpose of positively impacting lives. We actively cultivate diversity, equity, inclusion & sustainability in our workplace.
• ​Constantly Improve: We are committed to a proactive, collaborative effort to enhance our products, systems, processes, and services by reducing waste, increasing efficiency, and improving quality. We strive to be innovative, embracing calculated risk‑taking that drives better ways of working.
• Are Accountable: We think, act, and communicate with honesty, transparency, and clarity in alignment with our core values. We don't compromise our values for near term gain. We take accountability & ownership of our work, actions, successes, and setbacks. We strive to deliver our best as we shape the future.​

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related technical or scientific field required; master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• Previous internship, co-op, project, leadership, supervision, manufacturing, quality, or engineering experience preferred, particularly where the candidate demonstrated initiative, ownership, and measurable results.
• Strong academic performance, demonstrated leadership involvement, internship or project experience, and evidence of initiative, resilience, and eagerness to take on increasing responsibility preferred.

Working Conditions

The role is based in both manufacturing and office environments. Associates are expected to actively engage with cross-functional teams in operational settings, demonstrate professionalism on the manufacturing floor, and approach new environments with curiosity, flexibility, and a strong willingness to learn. Availability outside core business hours may occasionally be required.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual pay range $65,000 - $72,000
• Benefits information: https://www.tolmar.com/careers/employee-benefits 

Tolmar compensation programs are focused on equitable, fair pay practices including market-based base pay and a strong benefits package. The final compensation offered may vary from the posted range based on the selected candidates qualifications and experience. 

Tolmar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.