Back-Up Team Leader

ABF Ingredients; Lewes (DE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k match

Job summary

SPI Pharma is seeking a Back-Up Team Leader to support safe, compliant and efficient manufacturing operations. You will provide frontline leadership when the Production Team Leader is unavailable and stay hands-on in assigned processes.

You will coordinate staffing, respond to operational issues, and reinforce safety, quality and cGMP requirements while coaching operators and supporting cross-training.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of cGMP, SOPs, batch records and safety requirements.
• Ability to lead, train others and make decisions.
• Experience in pharmaceutical or other regulated manufacturing.
• Proficient computer and production math skills.
• Ability to operate and train on powered industrial trucks.
• Ability to coordinate staffing and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Support a safety-first culture and enforce safety requirements.
• Ensure work follows SOPs, batch records, cGMP and documentation practices.
• Operate and monitor manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Execute daily production schedule and adjust priorities as needed.
• Perform equipment setup, cleaning, line clearance, sampling and in-process checks.
• Complete inventory and production transactions using site systems.
• Monitor key process measures and production status.
• Troubleshoot processes and coordinate with Maintenance, Quality, and others.
• Coach and onboard operators and support cross-training.
• Assist with investigations, audits, and continuous improvement.
• Escalate performance or conduct issues to management and HR.

Skills

cGMP knowledge

Leadership skills

Production processes

Computer skills

Communication skills

Forklift training

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Want to start a new career in the exciting field of pharmaceuticals? Are you safety and quality vigilant?Launch a new career with growth opportunities!

SPI Pharma is for you!

SPI Pharma is looking for a Back-Up Team Leader to join their team!

• 401k match of 1:1 for the first 5% contributed plus an additional 5%

Join the small team that is making a big difference!

Who is SPI Pharma?

We are a globally recognized market leader in Pharmaceutical Excipients and Drug Delivery Systems supplying products and formulary solutions to some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers.

SPI Pharma is part of Associated British Foods - a diversified international food, ingredients and retail group with annual sales of $20B, 137,000 employees and operations in 50 countries across Europe, southern Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australia.

Job Title : Back-Up Team Leader

Summary

The Back-Up Team Leader is an experienced production professional who supports safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing operations while providing front-line leadership and direction when the Production Team Leader is unavailable.

The role remains hands‑on in assigned production processes while serving as a technical resource, trainer, and coach for production employees. The position helps execute the daily production plan, coordinates staffing and work priorities, responds to operational issues, supports operator development, and reinforces safety, environmental, quality, cGMP, and documentation requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support a safety-first culture by following and reinforcing all safety, environmental, security, and emergency response requirements.
• Ensure work is completed in accordance with approved SOPs, batch records, cGMP requirements, permits, and Good Documentation Practices.
• Operate and monitor assigned pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and equipment, which may include continuous process reactors, rotary vacuum filters, bulk receiving, packaging support, and wastewater handling and discharge.
• Execute the daily production schedule, adjust work assignments within approved priorities, and communicate barriers that may affect safety, quality, schedule adherence, or staffing coverage.
• Perform equipment setup, cleaning, line clearance, sampling, material handling, process monitoring, and in‑process checks and adjustments as required by procedure.
• Complete required inventory and production transactions using approved scanners, warehouse systems, or other site systems.
• Monitor and communicate key process measures, production status, downtime, OEE, quarantined material, yield, and other assigned performance indicators.
• Use structured troubleshooting to identify process or equipment issues and coordinate with Maintenance, Quality, Warehouse, EHS, and management as appropriate.
• Provide day‑to‑day coaching, mentoring, and feedback to production operators and support onboarding, qualification, and cross‑training of employees.
• Provide support for investigations, audits, validations, and continuous improvement activities.
• Address routine concerns respectfully and **escalate** performance, attendance, conduct, or employee relations issues to management and Human Resources.
• Reinforce company values, policies, behavioral expectations, teamwork, accountability, and a respectful work environment.
• When acting in place of the Production Team Leader, direct shift activities, assign work, coordinate staffing, communicate priorities, **escalate** issues, and help ensure production goals are achieved safely and compliantly.
• Operate a powered industrial truck after completing required training and authorization.
• Maintain good housekeeping and perform other related duties as assigned.

Education, Skills and Experience

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 5 years of manufacturing experience in pharmaceutical, food, chemical, nutraceutical, or another regulated environment. Equivalent internal experience may be considered.
• Proficiency in at least one major production area or process.
• Ability to lead work, train others, communicate priorities, and make sound decisions.
• Working knowledge of cGMP, SOPs, batch records, safety requirements, and Good Documentation Practices.
• Basic computer and production math skills.
• Ability to successfully complete required powered industrial truck training, evaluation, and site authorization and maintain qualification as required.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Organized, dependable, and able to balance production responsibilities with shift leadership duties.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to respond calmly to changing priorities.
• Able to communicate clearly and work effectively with employees at all levels.
• Comfortable providing direction, correction, coaching, and hands‑on training to operators.
• Able to work collaboratively with Production, Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, EHS, and Human Resources.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, email, and production systems.
• Able to support teamwork, accountability, and a respectful work environment.
• Exposure to Lean manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement is preferred but not required.

Physical and Work Requirements

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work 12‑hour rotating shifts, including days, nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.
• Ability to work safely around industrial equipment, chemicals, heat, pressure, noise, and other manufacturing hazards while wearing required PPE.
• Ability to frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform standing, walking, climbing, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling activities.