Supervisor, QC Microbiology

Legend Biotech, Inc.; Raritan (NJ); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Legend Biotech in Bridgewater, NJ, is seeking a Supervisor, QC Microbiology to lead the quality control microbiology labs supporting cell therapy manufacturing. The role includes hiring, coaching, performance management, and ownership of test data reviews and method verification.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in science or engineering, at least 6 years of relevant aseptic manufacturing experience, and proven leadership.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Science, Engineering or equivalent technical discipline is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide training (skills-based, cGMP and safety) for department staff.

Skills

Leadership

People management

cGMP knowledge

FDA/EU guidance

Laboratory testing

Quality systems

Communication skills

Statistical analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Science or Engineering

Job description

Legend Biotech is a global biotechnology company dedicated to treating and, one day, curing life‑threatening diseases. Headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey, we are advancing the next generation of cell therapy through a portfolio of innovative technologies, including autologous, allogeneic, and in vivo cell therapy approaches. Our research spans chimeric antigen receptor T‑cell (CAR‑T), T‑cell receptor (TCR‑T), natural killer (NK) cell‑based therapies, and other emerging platforms designed to transform the treatment of serious diseases. From our global network of research and development sites, we are committed to discovering and developing safe, effective, and cutting‑edge therapies for patients worldwide.

Legend Biotech entered into a global collaboration agreement with Johnson & Johnson to jointly develop and commercialize CARVYKTI® (ciltacabtagene autoleucel; cilta-cel). Through this strategic partnership, we combine complementary expertise and capabilities to advance innovative immunotherapies for patients living with multiple myeloma.

Legend Biotech is seeking a Supervisor, QC Microbiology as part of the Quality Operations team based in Raritan, NJ.

Role Overview

The Supervisor, QC Micro is an exempt level position with responsibilities for supervising the operation and workflow of the quality control microbiology laboratories in support of cell therapy manufacturing. This includes hiring, development and performance management of staff, reviewing/approving laboratory test data, developing and implementing microbiology procedures and methods, supporting laboratory investigations and ownership of various QC microbiology department projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensuring adequate training (skills-based, cGMP and safety) of associates within the department.
• Raw material, in‑process, environmental/utility, and product release testing.
• Scheduling of daily activities for personnel.
• Investigation of laboratory non‑conformances (events, deviations, and invalid assays).
• Maintenance, calibration and qualification of laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Test method verification, qualification, validation and/or transfer activities in the QC laboratories.
• Process Performance Qualification and Continued Process Verification activities associated with QC microbiology laboratory testing.
• Providing expertise in troubleshooting complex laboratory issues and demonstrating strong reasoning skills in support of ongoing laboratory investigations.
• Maintain detailed knowledge of industry guidelines/trends, regulatory requirements, and applicable pharmacopeia while remaining current in on‑the‑job training requirements.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Technical Operations, Engineering and Maintenance to support business needs.
• Contribute to global strategies related to QC laboratories which align with compliance and business objectives as well as the overall corporate vision.
• Manage departmental budget and resources; prepare staffing plans. Make adjustments to roles and responsibilities of department to meet business needs.
• Perform tasks in a manner consistent with the safety policies, quality systems and cGMP requirements.
• Other duties will be assigned, as necessary.
• Works in a collaborative team setting with quality counterparts that include Quality Assurance, Manufacturing Operations, Technical Operations, Engineering and Maintenance, Supply Chain and Planning.
• Job duties performed routinely require exposure to and handling of biological materials and hazardous chemicals.
• Distance visual acuity of at least 20/30 (Snellen) in both eyes without corrective lenses or visual acuity corrected to 20/30 (Snellen) or better with corrective lenses.
• Color Perception both eyes 5 slides out of 8.

Requirements

A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Science, Engineering or equivalent technical discipline is required.

• A Minimum of 6 years relevant work experience is required. It is preferable that the candidate have experience working in an aseptic manufacturing facility, preferably in quality control, quality assurance, or cell therapy. A minimum of 1 year of leadership experience is also required.

Experience in clinical quality, method development, cell banking, cell therapy, or Research & Development is preferred.

People management or leadership experience is required.

Experience working with Quality systems is required.

Experience with quality support in clinical manufacture or NPI is preferred.

Extensive knowledge of chemical, biochemical and microbiological concepts is required.

Ability to apply basic and advanced mathematical concepts (including statistics) in the evaluation of laboratory data is required.

Knowledge of cGMP regulations and FDA/EU guidance is required.

The candidate must be highly organized and capable of working in a team environment with a positive attitude under some supervision.

Comfortable with speaking and interacting with inspectors.

Good written and verbal communication skills are required.

This position may require occasional travel to partner sites in NJ or PA as business demands.

Candidates must be able to accommodate unplanned overtime (including nights and weekends) on little to no prior notice.

These benefits are offered exclusively to permanent full-time employees. Contractors are not eligible for benefits through Legend Biotech.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. As part of our commitment to maintaining a lawful workforce and ensuring compliance with federal employment regulations, we participate in the E‑Verify program. If you are selected for employment, you will be required to complete the Form I‑9 process, and your employment eligibility will be verified through E‑Verify in accordance with applicable federal law. We are committed to providing a fair, transparent, and welcoming hiring experience for all candidates.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of Legend Biotech to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances.

Employment is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause or notice by the employee or the company.

Voluntary Self‑Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self‑identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Legend Biotech US’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.