Production Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Supervisory Responsibility
Aseptic production supervisors, shift leads, operators, compounding technicians, filling line staff, and support personnel in classified cleanroom environments

Role Purpose
To lead and manage sterile injectable manufacturing operations, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient aseptic processing in accordance with cGMP, regulatory requirements, and contamination control strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Aseptic Production Operations
• Plan and execute sterile manufacturing activities including compounding, filtration, aseptic filling, lyophilization (if applicable), and packaging.
• Ensure all operations are performed in accordance with approved batch records, SOPs, and validated aseptic processes.
• Oversee cleanroom operations (ISO 5–8 environments), ensuring strict adherence to gowning, environmental controls, and aseptic techniques.
• Monitor production schedules and resolve operational issues to ensure uninterrupted manufacturing.

• Contamination Control & cGMP Compliance
• Ensure compliance with cGMP (21 CFR Parts 210/211), EU Annex 1, and other global regulatory standards for sterile products.
• Implement and maintain a robust Contamination Control Strategy (CCS) covering personnel, equipment, utilities, and environment.
• Oversee environmental monitoring (EM), cleanroom behavior, and aseptic practices to minimize contamination risks.
• Partner with QA to investigate deviations, sterility failures, and microbiological excursions, ensuring timely CAPA implementation.

• Aseptic Process Validation & Media Fills
• Lead and support aseptic process simulations (media fills) to demonstrate process sterility assurance.
• Support process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), sterilization validation (autoclaves, dry heat, filtration), and cleaning validation.
• Ensure continued process verification and lifecycle management of sterile processes.

• Technology Transfer & Scale-Up
• Lead technology transfer of sterile products from R&D to commercial manufacturing.
• Ensure successful scale-up while maintaining sterility assurance and product quality.
• Collaborate with development and validation teams on process design and improvements.

• Equipment, Utilities & Facility Oversight
• Ensure proper operation and qualification of critical utilities (HVAC, HEPA filtration, WFI, clean steam, compressed gases).
• Oversee maintenance, calibration, and qualification of aseptic filling lines, isolators/RABS, and sterilization equipment.
• Collaborate with Engineering for equipment upgrades and troubleshooting.

• Team Leadership & Aseptic Training
• Lead, coach, and develop aseptic manufacturing teams, ensuring high performance and compliance.
• Ensure all personnel are trained and qualified in aseptic gowning, behavior, and cleanroom practices.
• Promote a strong culture of contamination control, quality, and safety.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with QA, QC Microbiology, Validation, Engineering, and Regulatory Affairs teams.
• Coordinate with supply chain for availability of sterile components, filters, and raw materials.
• Support regulatory submissions and responses related to sterile manufacturing processes.

• Documentation & Data Integrity
• Ensure accurate and contemporaneous documentation in compliance with ALCOA+ principles.
• Review and approve batch records, environmental monitoring data, and deviation reports.
• Ensure compliance with electronic systems (MES/EBR) and data integrity requirements.

• Metrics, Trends & Reporting
• Monitor KPIs such as batch success rate, media fill success, EM trends, deviations, and right-first-time performance.
• Provide regular reports to leadership and implement improvements based on trend analysis.

Education/Training
• BS/MS in Pharmacy, Microbiology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific discipline

Experience & Skills
• Minimum Experience: 10 years in sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Preferred Experience: 15+ years in aseptic processing, injectable products, or biologics
• Strong expertise in aseptic processing, contamination control, and sterile manufacturing regulations
• In-depth knowledge of EU Annex 1, FDA aseptic guidance, and microbiological control
• Experience with media fills, sterilization processes, and cleanroom operations
• Familiarity with isolators, RABS, and advanced aseptic technologies
• Strong understanding of EM programs, utilities (WFI, HVAC), and microbiological risks
• Experience with deviation management, CAPA, and regulatory inspections
• Strong leadership, communication, and decision-making skills

Scope of Authority
Authority to manage sterile manufacturing operations, approve production activities, and ensure compliance with aseptic processing and cGMP requirements

GMP Readiness Responsibilities
Ensure aseptic manufacturing areas, personnel, utilities, and processes are continuously compliant and inspection-ready

Inspection Posture
Maintain a constant state of readiness for regulatory inspections (FDA, EMA, MHRA); ensure sterile operations and documentation meet the highest compliance standards

Growth Expectations
Demonstrate excellence in sterile operations, contamination control, and leadership to advance into Senior Production Manager, Aseptic Operations Head, or Site Leadership roles

• BS, MS or Ph.D.

• Minimum Experience:10 years
• Preferred Experience: 20 years
• Required Credentials: Chemistry, Biochemistry
• Required Training: Quality /Quality Control, Clinical studies, System Deployment, Regulatory Affairs, Auditing, Validation including system validation
• Interactions with Clients, Regulatory agencies (FDA EMA, PMDA, TGA HC, ICH)
• Product design, Drug development and commercialization. 
• Metrics, KPIs and system development knowledge.