Manufacturing Supervisor – Aseptic Upstream Bioprocessing

Elanco Tiergesundheit AG; Elwood (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation packages

8-week parental leave

9 Employee Resource Groups

Annual bonus opportunity

Up to 6% 401(k) matching

Job summary

Elanco's Manufacturing Supervisor – Aseptic Upstream Bioprocessing at the Elwood, Kansas site leads daily aseptic bioprocessing operations, oversees cell expansion, production, and upstream processing, and partners with downstream and fill-finish teams to meet production targets while upholding cGMP, safety, and quality standards.

The role emphasizes developing a high-performing team, coaching manufacturing personnel, and driving continuous improvement, with responsibilities spanning paperwork,

Qualifications

• Must have high school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience leading or supporting manufacturing operations in a regulated production environment with success supervising teams and maintaining production schedules.
• Strong leadership and people development capabilities; ability to manage manufacturing operations while maintaining cGMP, safety and quality requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee daily manufacturing operations supporting aseptic bioprocessing activities, including cell expansion, production, upstream processing, and coordination with downstream/fill-finish teams.
• Supervise, coach, and develop manufacturing personnel through performance management, training, and feedback to build a high-performing team.
• Ensure manufacturing activities comply with USDA, EMA, and cGMP requirements, approved procedures, and batch records.
• Maintain a strong presence on the production floor to promote safe work practices and a culture of quality and accountability.
• Coordinate with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Validation, and Supply Chain to support compliant and efficient operations.
• Monitor production performance, equipment readiness, and schedule adherence; complete batch records and SAP transactions on time.
• Lead or support investigations and CAPAs for incidents, deviations, and process issues.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and compliance.

Skills

Leadership

cGMP compliance

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences

High school diploma

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 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.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification. At Elanco, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role—or another opportunity at Elanco.

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 #LI-HL

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.

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders, and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to helping our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose™ CSR framework – all to advance the health of animals, people and the planet. Learn more at www.elanco.com.