Manager, Process Performance Qualification

Pfizer; McPherson (KS); Hybrid; USD 106,000 - 177,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Pfizer is seeking a Manager of Process Performance Qualifications to lead validation engineers in sterile injectable manufacturing. You will guide process qualification, cleaning validation, and CPV, while maintaining Validation Master Plans and lifecycle documentation.

The role emphasizes cross-functional leadership, regulatory readiness, and continuous improvement in a hybrid work setting. Responsibilities include coaching reports, coordinating with Operations, Quality, and Engineering, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with relevant experience required, or advanced degree with minimal experience.
• Experience leading validation programs including Process Qualification, Cleaning Validation and CPV.
• Ability to provide technical guidance, coaching, and strategic leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead validation engineers and manage CPV, cleaning validation and process qualification.
• Serve as technical and functional expert for validation programs across teams.
• Develop and maintain Validation Master Plans and lifecycle strategies.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement risk-based solutions.
• Support regulatory inspections, audits, and continuous inspection readiness.

Skills

Leadership

Validation expertise

Statistical analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory inspections

Education

Bachelor's degree in a scientific field

Job description

ROLE SUMMARY

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Validation & Qualification, the Manager, Process Performance Qualifications leads a team of validation engineers responsible for Process Qualification, Cleaning Validation, and Continued Process Verification (CPV) activities supporting sterile injectable manufacturing operations. The role serves as the functional expert for assigned validation programs, providing technical guidance, oversight, and coaching to direct reports and cross-functional partners to ensure compliant and effective execution of validation lifecycle activities.

The incumbent is responsible for the development, evaluation, review, approval, and maintenance of Validation Master Plans, validation protocols, reports, and associated lifecycle documentation within their area of responsibility. The role develops and applies validation standards, quality processes, and system requirements that ensure compliance with Pfizer Quality Standards, current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), and applicable regulatory requirements.

This position provides technical leadership for troubleshooting process validation and cleaning validation issues, evaluating process performance data and statistical analyses, supporting investigations and change management activities, and authoring or approving technical documentation related to manufacturing processes, products, and equipment. The Manager identifies opportunities for process improvement, implements innovative and risk-based solutions, and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance compliance, process robustness, and operational performance.

The role manages people, technological resources, and departmental priorities across multiple projects and ongoing activities of moderate complexity. Working closely with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Technical Services, and Project Management teams, the Manager supports commercial manufacturing, technology transfers, regulatory inspections, and customer audits while ensuring a state of inspection readiness within assigned validation programs. Decisions primarily impact short- to mid-term departmental objectives and require effective collaboration, influence, and communication across functional areas.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of validation engineers responsible for Process Qualification, Cleaning Validation, and Continued Process Verification (CPV) activities supporting sterile injectable manufacturing operations.
• Serve as the technical and functional expert for validation programs by providing guidance, oversight, and coaching to direct reports and cross-functional teams while building expertise across related disciplines.
• Lead and manage people, technology, and financial resources for multiple validation projects and ongoing work activities of moderate complexity involving Operations, Quality, Engineering, Technical Services, and Project Management stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain Validation Master Plans and validation lifecycle strategies that ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, Pfizer Quality Standards, and business objectives.
• Identify opportunities for process, product, and validation program improvements and drive implementation of innovative, science-based, risk-based solutions that improve compliance, efficiency, and operational performance.
• Solve moderately complex technical and operational challenges within validation programs and partner across functions to address issues impacting manufacturing, quality, and compliance objectives.
• Provide technical leadership for investigations, deviations, CAPAs, change controls, and risk assessments to ensure robust lifecycle management of validated processes and cleaning programs.
• Support regulatory inspections, customer audits, and internal assessments by representing validation programs and maintaining a state of continuous inspection readiness.
• Influence stakeholders, facilitate effective decision-making, and communicate complex technical concepts while building alignment across cross-functional teams.
• Actively share knowledge across departments, contribute to knowledge management initiatives, and strengthen technical capabilities within the organization.
• Assess talent needs, develop colleagues through coaching and mentoring, and ensure training and development programs support current and future business requirements.
• Monitor validation performance metrics, prioritize resources, and continuously improve operational effectiveness while maintaining quality and compliance standards.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Applicant must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 4 years of experience; OR a master’s degree with at least 2 years of experience; OR a PhD with 0+ years of experience; OR as associate’s degree with 8 years of experience; OR a high school diploma (or equivalent) and 10 years ofrelevant experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience leading regulatory inspections, customer audits, and remediation activities.
• Demonstrated success driving process improvements, innovation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience leading teams. Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence decisions across multiple functional areas.
• Experience developing technical talent and creating sustainable organizational capability.
• Experience using AI-enabled tools such as Microsoft Copilot and other generative AI technologies to improve productivity, support problem solving, and enhance technical documentation while applying responsible AI practices.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, or sterile manufacturing environments within Validation, Engineering, Technical Services, Quality, or Manufacturing.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience, including coaching, development, and performance management. Experience in Process Validation, Cleaning Validation, Continued Process Verification, and validation lifecycle management.
• In-depth understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, cGMP requirements, quality systems, and regulatory expectations.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and lead cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical, statistical, problem-solving, verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections and compliance activities.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to perform mathematical and statistical calculations and complex data analysis

NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Responsible for technical support of a 24/7 aseptic manufacturing operation ; position requires flexibility to support a two-shift, 12-hour operation as needed.
• Limited travel.

OTHER JOB DETAILS

Last Date to Apply for Job: September 3, 2026.

Referral Bonus Eligibility: Yes

Eligible for Relocation Package: Yes

Work Location Assignment: Hybrid

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $106,000.00 to $176,600.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 15.0% of the base salary and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.

U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

Sunshine Act

Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider’s name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.

EEO & Employment Eligibility

Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.

Pfizer endeavors to make www.pfizer.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process and/or interviewing, please email [e-mail]. This is to be used solely for accommodation requests with respect to the accessibility of our website, online application process and/or interviewing. Requests for any other reason will not be returned.

To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers.

Manufacturing