Operator Lead, Production

Ferring Holding SA; Parsippany-Troy Hills (NJ); On-site; USD 63,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Ferring Pharmaceuticals in Parsippany, New Jersey is seeking an Operator Lead, Production to provide senior leadership within the aseptic manufacturing team. You will oversee complex processes, mentor operators, ensure sterility and quality, and drive improvements in a fast-paced production environment.

The role requires a strong background in aseptic processing, 4+ years in pharma, and the ability to lead cross‑functional teams while maintaining strict cGMP standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical or vocational education preferred.
• 4+ years in pharma/biopharma/biotech with aseptic clean room experience.
• Proficient in aseptic techniques, cleanroom protocols, cGMP and regulatory requirements.
• Mastery in operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining advanced aseptic equipment.
• Strong leadership to mentor, develop, and inspire operators at various levels.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and documentation skills.
• Ability to analyze complex process data, deviations, and corrective actions.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Flexibility to work shifts including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute complex aseptic processing tasks per SOPs and batch records.
• Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain aseptic processing equipment such as isolators and lyophilizers.
• Mentor, train, and guide junior to senior operators.
• Impart expert knowledge on aseptic techniques, optimization, and compliance.
• Collaborate with QA, QC, Engineering, and Production Management.
• Address deviations and drive process improvements in aseptic operations.
• Lead aseptic process simulations, media fills, and equipment qualifications.
• Perform in-process inspections and quality checks for product integrity.
• Review batch records and process data for accuracy and compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement to reduce waste and enhance efficiency.
• Provide guidance for process enhancements and follow SOPs for gowning and cleaning.
• Adhere to cGMP and Quality System requirements and policies.

Skills

Leadership

Aseptic processing

Regulatory compliance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

As a privately-owned, biopharmaceutical company, Ferring pioneers and delivers life-changing therapies that help people build families and live better lives. Our independence helps us cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit and long-term perspective that enables us to achieve growth and scale, while remaining agile and true to our ‘people first’ philosophy. Built on a 70-year plus commitment to science and research, Ferring is relentless in its pursuit of science that drives powerful discoveries and therapies to help people build families, stay healthy, and stand up to the world’s oldest enemy: disease. As Operator Lead, Production, you will assume a senior Operator role within the aseptic manufacturing team. This position combines expert technical knowledge with leadership skills to oversee complex processes, mentor teams, and ensure the highest standards of sterility, quality, and compliance are met. With Ferring, you will be joining a recognized leader, identified as one of “The World’s Most Innovative Companies” by Fast Company, and honored by Fortune with inclusion on its “Change the World List,” for addressing society’s unmet needs. Ferring US is also Great Places to Work® Certified, distinguishing it as one of the best companies to work for in the country.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute complex aseptic processing tasks, including setup, sterilization, formulation, filling, lyophilization, per work instructions, standard operating procedures and batch record process steps.
• Take charge of advanced equipment operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of aseptic processing machinery such as isolators, filling machines, lyophilizers, and autoclaves.
• Provide mentorship, training, and guidance to junior, intermediate, and senior operators.
• Impart expert knowledge on aseptic techniques, equipment handling, process optimization, and compliance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Engineering, and Production Management.
• Address deviations and drive process improvements, and ensure successful execution of aseptic processes.
• Lead and oversee aseptic process simulations, media fills, and equipment qualifications to validate process integrity, compliance, and robustness.
• Perform comprehensive in-process inspections and quality checks, ensuring the highest integrity of product quality.
• Analyze, review, and approve batch records, process data, and documentation for accuracy, compliance, and adherence to cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices).
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to optimize processes, reduce waste, and enhance overall operational efficiency.
• Provide guidance and direction for process enhancements.
• Maintain qualification to wok within Grade A and Grade B cleaning environment and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for gowning, cleaning, and sanitization.
• Comply with policies, guidelines, and regulatory requirements of the Quality System and applicable current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs).
• Other duties as required and assigned by management.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical or vocational education is preferred.
• 4+ years experience working in the pharmaceutical/biopharma/biotech industry and within aseptic clean room environments.
• Proficient in aseptic techniques, cleanroom protocols, cGMP, and regulatory requirements.
• Mastery in operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining advanced aseptic processing equipment.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to mentor, develop, and inspire operators at various experience levels.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and documentation skills.
• Proficiency in analyzing complex process data, deviations, and implementing corrective actions.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to lead and collaborate across cross-functional teams.
• Flexibility to work in shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, as per production schedules.

Physical Requirements

• Meet minimal visual acuity requirements necessary for quality assessments in a production or packaging environment.
• Be able to be medically cleared to wear full-face tight-fitting respirator based on OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard.
• Extended periods of standing, repetitive tasks, and working within a controlled aseptic environment.
• Lifting, bending, and reaching to handle equipment, materials, and products.
• Wearing mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gowns, gloves, masks, goggles, and respiratory protection as required.

Compensation and Benefits

Ferring + you At Ferring, we offer competitive total compensation along with an exceptional range of flexible benefits, personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

From working hours that respect your lifestyle, a culture that is welcoming and equitable, and the chance to work with the industry’s most impressive people, these are just some of the ways we live our "People First" philosophy.

Our Compensation and Benefits At Ferring, base salary is one part of our competitive total compensation and benefits package and is determined using a salary range.

The base salary range for this role is $62,598 to $116,253, which is the reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role.

The actual amount paid may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, education and primary work location.

Additional compensation for this role will be provided based on competitive annual incentive compensation targets in the form of an annual bonus - payouts are based on individual and company performance.

Benefits for this role include comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, and vision) with a premium differential, inverse to base salary, to be paid by employees, a 401k plan and company match, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, wellness benefits, reimbursement for certain tuition expenses, sick time of 1 hour per 30 hours worked, vacation time for full time employees to accrue up to 120 hours in the first four (4) years of employment, and 160 hours in the fifth (5th) year of employment as well as 15 paid holidays per year.

We are proud to offer paid parental leave subject to a minimum period of employment at Ferring.

Ferring is an equal opportunity employer.

All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local laws.

Join our team and your voice will be heard, and your contributions will be valued.

If you love to come up with new ways to make a positive difference and see them through, you will fit right in.

We are proud to be an Aff…

We maintain a drug-free workplace.

Location: Parsippany, New Jersey

Company Profile

Ferring Pharmaceuticals a privately owned, research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group committed to building families and helping people live better lives.

We are leaders in reproductive medicine with a strong heritage in gastroenterology and urology, and are at the forefront of innovation in uro-oncology gene therapy.

Ferring was founded in 1950 and employs more than 7,000 people worldwide.

The company is headquartered in Saint-Prex, Switzerland, and has operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries which market its medicines in over 100 countries.

Learn more at www.ferring.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X.

At Ferring, we'll give you the tools to shape a career build on purpose.

Join us and help People around the world to build families and live better lives.

At Ferring, our focus on Patient Advocacy drives our commitment to create more equitable health outcomes for all, at every stage of their healthcare journey.

We believe in everyone’s right to access the best treatment, pioneering into new therapeutic areas, and developing innovative ways to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases.