Operator Lead, Production (2nd shift)

Ferring Holding SA; New Jersey; Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Disability coverage

Life Insurance

Wellness benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Sick time

Vacation accrual

Paid holidays

Parental leave

Job summary

Ferring Pharmaceuticals in Parsippany, New Jersey, seeks an Operator Lead, Production to oversee complex aseptic processing and mentor production staff. The role requires strong technical and leadership skills to ensure sterility, quality and regulatory compliance across manufacturing steps.

The candidate will manage advanced equipment, drive process improvements, and collaborate with QA, QC, Engineering and Production teams. A background in aseptic clean rooms and cGMP is essential for success.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical or vocational education preferred.
• 4+ years experience in pharma/biopharma/biotech, aseptic clean room.
• Proficient in aseptic techniques, cleanroom protocols, cGMP and regulatory requirements.
• Mastery in operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining advanced aseptic processing equipment.
• Strong leadership, with ability to mentor and inspire operators.
• Excellent attention to detail, documentation, and data interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute complex aseptic processing tasks per SOPs and batch records.
• Operate and troubleshoot isolators, filling machines, lyophilizers, and autoclaves.
• Mentor junior to senior operators and provide training guidance.
• Ensure sterility, quality, and compliance across processes.
• Collaborate with QA, Engineering, and Production Management.
• Drive deviations, process improvements, and cGMP adherence.
• Review and approve batch records and process data for accuracy.

Skills

Aseptic techniques

Cleanroom protocols

cGMP compliance

Regulatory requirements

Leadership

Communication

Data analysis

Shift flexibility

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical or vocational education preferred

Tools

Isolators

Filling machines

Lyophilizers

Autoclaves

Job description

Operator Lead, Production

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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 $97,000, 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. If hired to work 2nd in this role, the pay differential will be 10%. 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.

• comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, and vision) with a premium differential, inverse to base salary, to be paid by employees
• 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
• 160 hours in the fifth (5th) year of employment as well as 15 paid holidays per year
• 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 Affidative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (including Disability/Protected Veterans). We maintain a drug-free workplace.

Location: Parsippany, New Jersey

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 frontier 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, 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.

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