Manufacturing Supervisor – Aseptic Upstream Bioprocessing

elanco; Elwood (KS); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

8-week parental leave

Employee Resource Groups

Annual bonus

401(k) matching

Job summary

Elanco is seeking a Manufacturing Supervisor – Aseptic Upstream Bioprocessing at its Elwood, KS site. You will lead daily aseptic bioprocessing operations, oversee cell expansion and upstream processing, and ensure adherence to cGMP, safety, and quality standards.

You will develop the team, coordinate with QA, Engineering, Maintenance, Validation, and other functions, and drive continuous improvement to meet production targets and deliver high-quality monoclonal antibody products.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience leading manufacturing operations in a regulated production environment.
• Ability to supervise teams while maintaining production schedules and quality/safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee daily manufacturing operations for aseptic bioprocessing.
• Supervise and coach manufacturing personnel with performance management and training.
• Ensure activities comply with USDA, EMA, and cGMP requirements and batch records.
• Maintain on-floor presence to promote safe work practices and quality.
• Coordinate with QA, Engineering, Maintenance, Validation, and Supply Chain.
• Monitor production performance, equipment readiness, and schedule adherence.
• Lead or support investigations and CAPA for deviations and issues.
• Drive continuous improvement to improve efficiency and compliance.

Skills

Strong leadership

People development

cGMP compliance

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Job description

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!

As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.

At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.

Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!

Your Role: Manufacturing Supervisor – Aseptic Upstream Bioprocessing

The Manufacturing Supervisor – Aseptic Upstream Bioprocessing is responsible for leading manufacturing personnel and daily operations supporting the aseptic production of monoclonal antibody (mAb) products at Elanco's Elwood, Kansas manufacturing site. This role oversees production activities across upstream bioprocessing operations, ensuring production targets are achieved while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). The supervisor also plays a key role in developing team members, driving operational excellence, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Your Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee daily manufacturing operations supporting aseptic bioprocessing activities, including cell expansion, production, upstream processing, while partnering with downstream and fill finish and ensuring adherence to production schedules.

• Supervise, coach, and develop manufacturing personnel through performance management, training, and regular feedback to build a high-performing, engaged team.

• Ensure manufacturing activities are performed in compliance with USDA, EMA, and cGMP requirements, approved procedures, and batch production records.

• Maintain a strong presence on the production floor to promote safe work practices, operational excellence, and a culture of quality and accountability.

• Coordinate with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Validation, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional teams to support compliant and efficient manufacturing operations.

• Monitor production performance, equipment readiness, and schedule adherence while ensuring timely completion of batch records, SAP transactions, and manufacturing documentation.

• Lead or support investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for operational events, deviations, and equipment or process issues.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance manufacturing efficiency, strengthen compliance, and improve overall operational performance.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required.

• Experience: Experience leading or supporting manufacturing operations in a regulated production environment, with demonstrated success supervising teams, maintaining production schedules, and ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards.

• Top 2 Skills: Strong leadership and people development capabilities; and the ability to manage manufacturing operations while maintaining compliance with cGMP, safety, and quality requirements.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (preferred qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Biomanufacturing, or a related scientific discipline.

• 3–5+ years of experience in commercial GMP biomanufacturing, including aseptic processing, cell culture, downstream purification, final formulation, or fill/finish operations.

• Knowledge of USDA, FDA, and EU GMP regulations governing biologics or sterile manufacturing.

• Experience leading investigations, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment.

• Strong communication, coaching, and cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to develop high-performing teams.

Additional Information:

• Location: Elwood, Kansas

• Travel: Minimal

• This role supports manufacturing operations in a regulated production environment and may require overtime or schedule flexibility to meet production demands. Appropriate gowning and personal protective equipment (PPE) are required when working in manufacturing areas.

Elanco Benefits and Perks:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package focused on supporting your financial, physical, and mental well-being while empowering you to pursue our purpose. Highlights include:

• Multiple relocation packages

• 8-week parental leave

• 9 Employee Resource Groups

• Annual bonus opportunity

• Up to 6% 401(k) matching

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status

Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.