Service · Interim plant leadership
Steady the plant. Then make it better.
Experienced, hands-on plant leadership for FDA-regulated consumer products manufacturers, part-time or interim, from someone who has run a plant himself.
When to call
Signs the plant needs senior leadership now.
Most clients call when the gap is already costing them. A full-time search takes months; interim leadership can start once the scope is agreed.
- The plant or operations leader has left, and a permanent search will take months
- Firefighting has become the daily rhythm: missed schedules, overtime, rework
- A new owner or board wants an honest read on the operation, quickly
- The founder is still running the floor and needs to step back to grow the business
- Quality events or audit findings keep coming back after they were “closed”
- Budgets for operations and capital spending aren’t tied to clear priorities
How it runs
The first 90 days, in plain terms.
Every plant is different; the scope is agreed in writing before work starts. This is the usual shape.
- Weeks 1–2
Stabilize and listen
Walk the floor on every shift, meet the people closest to the work, review safety, quality and delivery data, and stop the most urgent losses.
- Weeks 3–4
Agree the few priorities
A short written read-out for owners and leadership: what is really driving performance, the three to five priorities that matter, and who owns each one.
- Months 2–3
Build the operating rhythm
Daily tier meetings, a weekly scorecard and clear escalation, so problems surface early and get solved by the people who own them.
- Handover
Leave it stronger
Coach the team, support the permanent hire if there is one, and hand over routines that keep working after Claraxis steps back.
Why Kobe
He has run the plant.
Relevant experience
- Plant Manager, global R&D pilot manufacturing center (2021–2025). Directed operations supporting 350+ scientists.
- $25M+ in annual operating and capital budgets managed.
- Primary FDA contact for the site; hosted inspections and quality audits.
- Led a USP purified water system modernization and built an operational dashboard for performance visibility.
- Process engineering, EHS and GMP background, so improvements go through change control, not around it.
Roles held before founding Claraxis Group. See the full experience timeline.
Questions
Interim leadership, answered
Is this full-time or part-time?
Either. Some plants need a few days a week of senior leadership; others need an interim leader on site while a permanent hire is found. The commitment is agreed up front and reviewed as the plant improves.
Will you work alongside our quality unit?
Yes. In a regulated plant, operational changes go through your quality system and change control. Kobe’s background in GMP, validation and FDA inspections means quality is part of the plan from day one.
Can you help us hire the permanent leader?
Kobe can help define the role, take part in interviews and onboard the new leader, so the handover is smooth.
Related
Start with the real challenge
What’s happening on your floor?
A short call, then a written scope before any commitment. Kobe replies personally within one business day.