Lead Upstream Biotech Manufacturing Associate

Planet Pharma; Pennington (NJ); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership development

Job summary

Planet Pharma is seeking an Upstream Manufacturing Associate III (Lead) to provide technical leadership and operational coordination for upstream manufacturing in a cGMP environment. You will lead batch execution, troubleshoot complex issues, and coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure readiness and continuous improvement.

The role requires 5+ years in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, strong mammalian cell culture expertise, and hands-on operation with fed-batch and perfusion bioreactor

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of relevant biopharmaceutical manufacturing experience.
• Experience in leadership, lead operator, or project coordination roles preferred.
• Strong GMP knowledge and manufacturing documentation experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily upstream manufacturing operations and provide shop-floor technical support.
• Coordinate production campaigns and manufacturing schedules.
• Ensure manufacturing readiness for batch execution.
• Serve as the primary technical resource during manufacturing operations.
• Oversee cell culture expansion, harvest, and filtration steps.
• Monitor process parameters and implement corrective actions.
• Troubleshoot process and equipment issues to maintain operations.
• Lead documentation updates: SOPs, MBRs, forms and templates.
• Support deviations, CAPAs, and change controls, and audits.
• Coordinate with QA, QC, MSAT, and other functions; drive improvements.
• Coach and develop Associate I/II personnel and onboarding.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Upstream operations

Fed-batch bioreactors

Perfusion bioreactors

Cedex Cell Analyzer

Blood Gas Analyzer

Osmometers

GMP documentation

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related discipline

Job description

Planet Pharma is seeking an Upstream Manufacturing Associate III (Lead) to provide technical leadership and operational coordination for upstream manufacturing in a cGMP environment. You will lead batch execution, troubleshoot complex issues, and coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure readiness and continuous improvement.

The role requires 5+ years in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, strong mammalian cell culture expertise, and hands-on operation with fed-batch and perfusion bioreactor