Manufacturing Lead, Operations - Shift B

Abzena Ltd; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Abzena Ltd in San Diego is seeking a Lead, Manufacturing Operations to oversee upstream and downstream GMP manufacturing for biologics, providing day-to-day leadership and technical guidance. You will manage batch execution, ensure cGMP compliance, and drive continuous improvement across cross-functional teams including QA, QC, MSAT, and engineering.

This role demands hands-on operations leadership, training, and a focus on safety, schedule adherence, and quality to deliver high-quality

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in chemistry, biology, or a related field.
• 3–4 years of purification experience in a GMP biopharma environment.
• Knowledge of cGMP regulations and regulatory documentation.
• Experience leading manufacturing teams and training staff.
• Experience with upstream/downstream bioprocessing operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day upstream and downstream GMP manufacturing activities.
• Coordinate batch execution, readiness, and schedule adherence.
• Ensure batch records, SOPs, and quality events are completed.
• Provide hands-on training and development for manufacturing personnel.
• Collaborate with QA, QC, MSAT, engineering, and facilities.
• Maintain cleanroom and biosafety practices.

Skills

Aseptic handling

Single-use technologies

Bioprocessing

Team leadership

GMP compliance

Education

BA/BS degree in Chemistry, Biology, or related field

Tools

AKTA chromatography skids

FlexAct automation skids

Filtration skids

SoloVPE

Job description

With extensive experience in developing biologics and bioconjugates, we offer a seamless service delivered by fully integrated teams, from early discovery to commercial manufacturing.

Forward-thinking and committed, we find the best solution and use the right technologies to design, develop and manufacture your products to ensure we get vital medicines to patients quickly and safely.

We are dedicated to quality excellence. We are driven to get better treatments to market, efficiently and responsibly by reducing timelines and delivering the highest quality products and services.

We are Abzena. More than a CDMO, we are a responsible and dedicated partner that takes care of your products from concept to patient.

The Lead, Manufacturing Operationsis responsible forserving as the subject matter expert and operational lead within GMP manufacturing operations supporting biologics production. This role provides day-to-day directionalleadership, coordination, and training for manufacturing personnel involved in upstream and downstream processing activities, including cell culture expansion, bioreactor operations, harvest, purification, filtration, and bulk drug substance manufacturing. The Lead supports batch execution, training, process troubleshooting, documentation review, and operational readiness activities.

Example Plan Shifts/Training Schedule:

• First 2 weeks: 8 hour shifts, M-F
• Next 1-2 months: 10 hour shifts, Mon-Thurs
• After 90 days: 12 hour shifts, Thurs-Sat & Alternating Wednesdays

Schedule is subject to change based on needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on training for upstream staff to ensure compliance with training on all activities prior to GMP execution.
• Adhere to appropriate gowning procedures required for working in Class 10,000 and Class 100,000 cleanrooms.
• Perform operations in a bio-safety cabinet using aseptic technique and maintain asepsis of all closed container sterile processes.
• Perform upstream production activities including thawing of cell stocks, inoculum train expansions, cell culture maintenance in bioreactors, depth and sterile filtration, and master cell bank and bulk drug substance fills.
• Monitor processes and results and troubleshoot issues as they arise to ensure process success.
• Lead and guide associates through process and workflow improvement initiatives.
• Lead batch readiness activities such as general planning and coordination, material requests and transfer, and material and equipment staging.
• Setup, operate and maintain downstream bioprocessing equipment including AKTA ready column chromatography skids, FlexAct automation skids, large scale filtration skids, and analytical instruments such as SoloVPE.
• Perform downstream production activities including depth filtration, purification by affinity, ion exchange, and hydrophobic interaction chromatography, viral inactivation and filtration, tangential flow filtration, sterile filtration, and bulk drug substance fills.
• Enforce cleanroom standards for cleanliness and order
• Direct floor operations for multiple projects simultaneously.
• Make adjustments as necessary to adhere to production schedules.
• Cross-train on various tasks including autoclaving of assemblies, formulation of buffers, and Downstream operations to support overall success of the Biologics group.
• Represent departmental activities as needed, including project teams and task forces.
• Review GMP records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance on a daily basis in conformance with regulatory requirements.
• Draft, revise and review manufacturing SOPs, master batch records, specifications, and other applicable cGMP documentation.
• Adhere to quality standards set by regulations and Abzena policies, procedures, and mission.
• Operate to the highest ethical and moral standards.
• Adjust to a flexible work schedule including weekend work, as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Manufacturing Operations Leadership

• Lead day-to-day execution of upstream and downstream GMP manufacturing activities.
• Coordinate manufacturing floor activities and provide real-time direction to manufacturing associates during campaign execution.
• Support media and buffer preparation, inoculum expansion, bioreactor operations, harvest, chromatography, UF/DF, sterile filtration, and bulk drug substance filling.
• Ensure activities are performed according to approved batch records, SOPs, and production schedules.
• Provide hands-on training and qualification support for manufacturing personnel.
• Review GMP documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
• Support deviations, CAPAs, change controls, and quality events.
• Troubleshoot process, equipment, and operational issues.
• Champion EHS compliance and safe work practices.
• Partner with QA, QC, MSAT, Engineering, Facilities, Supply Chain, and Program Management.

Team Leadership & Development

• Train Manufacturing Associates.
• Provide feedback and review of staff during performance evaluations.
• Facilitate onboarding and qualification of new employees.
• Promote a culture of safety, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead daily shift meetings, production reviews, and operational communications.

GMP Compliance & Quality

• Ensure strict compliance with cGMP regulations, company procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Review and verify batch documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Support investigations, deviations, CAPAs, change controls, and quality events.
• Participate in internal audits, client audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Ensure proper documentation practices and data integrity standards are maintained.

Process Execution & Technical Support

• Provide technical oversight for upstream and downstream operations.
• Support process transfers from development to GMP manufacturing.
• Assist in process validation, engineering runs, and GMP campaign readiness activities.
• Collaborate with MSAT, Process Development, and Engineering teams to improve process robustness and efficiency.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing and equipment-related issues.

Safety & Operational Excellence

• Champion Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) compliance.
• Ensure safe handling of biological materials, chemicals, and manufacturing equipment.
• Lead risk assessments and support implementation of corrective actions.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) including safety, right-first-time execution, batch success rate, and schedule adherence.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Validation, Facilities, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Program Management teams.
• Support customer visits and client-facing manufacturing discussions as required.
• Ensure manufacturing readiness through effective planning and material coordination.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree that included laboratory work in a chemistry, biology, or related field.
• At least 3 – 4 years of purification experience in a GMP pharmaceutical/biotech environment role.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of cGMPs and how they apply to responsibilities.
• Skilled in aseptic handling, including BSC operations to maintain the integrity of sterile systems.
• Skilled with using single-use technologies
• Strong technical and mechanical aptitude in bioprocessing.
• Knowledge of purification using column chromatography
• Experience leading, training, and coaching peers.
• Computer proficiency
• A proven ability to confidently compute basic arithmetic operations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds in weight.
• Use arms, hands and fingers to handle, feel or reach.
• Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Visual abilities include near and far sight, color, peripheral vision, depth and ability to focus.

$85,000 - $100,000 a year

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Abzena is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.