Manufacturing Supervisor
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Summary
The Supervisor, Manufacturing, leads daily manufacturing operations at the site, ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient execution of production activities to meet customer and business requirements. This role is a frontline manufacturing leadership role responsible for delivering safe, compliant, high-quality production results while leading, developing, and holding a manufacturing team accountable for operational performance, workforce engagement, and business objectives within a GMP-regulated environment. The position drives workforce management, employee development, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration while ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
Job description
How You Will Make an Impact
The Supervisor, Manufacturing, leads daily manufacturing operations at the site, ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient execution of production activities to meet customer and business requirements. This role is a frontline manufacturing leadership role responsible for delivering safe, compliant, high-quality production results while leading, developing, and holding a manufacturing team accountable for operational performance, workforce engagement, and business objectives within a GMP-regulated environment. The position drives workforce management, employee development, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration while ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
Day In The Life
- Lead daily manufacturing operations to ensure production schedules, customer commitments, quality requirements, and business objectives are achieved.
- Direct, prioritize, and coordinate manufacturing activities across Manufacturing Technicians, Sr. Manufacturing Technicians, and Lead Manufacturing Technicians.
- Monitor workflow, production performance, staffing levels, and resource allocation to ensure efficient execution of production plans.
- Drive on-time delivery, productivity, throughput, quality, and cost performance metrics through effective operational management.
- Conduct regular Gemba walks, monitor daily management metrics, and identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, and productivity.
- Ensure manufacturing activities are performed in compliance with GMP, quality, safety, and documentation requirements.
- Review and approve manufacturing documentation, support deviation investigations, CAPA activities, and audit readiness initiatives.
- Support new product introductions, process validations, production transfers, and continuous improvement projects.
- Lead Lean Manufacturing and Practical Process Improvement (PPI) initiatives to improve operational performance and eliminate waste.
- Partner with Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Project Management, Validation, and Maintenance teams to support manufacturing priorities and resolve operational issues.
- Manage employee schedules, shift coverage, vacation planning, timekeeping, attendance, and workforce planning activities to support operational requirements.
- Hold team members accountable for attendance, punctuality, productivity, quality, safety, training compliance and adherence to company policies and procedures.
- Support recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and workforce planning activities to maintain appropriate staffing levels.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, performance feedback, and development opportunities to support employee growth and performance.
- Conduct performance discussions, address performance concerns, and administer corrective actions in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Ensure employees receive appropriate onboarding, training, qualification, and cross-training to maintain workforce flexibility and operational continuity.
- Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, continuous learning, teamwork, and customer focus.
- Escalate operational, quality, staffing, and resource issues as appropriate and support implementation of corrective actions.
- Maintain a safe, compliant, and audit-ready manufacturing environment.
Education & Experience
Required: Advanced Degree with 3 years of experience in manufacturing, production, assembly, or operations environment and 2 years of leadership experience OR Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent with 5 years of experience in a manufacturing, production, assembly, or operations environment and 2 years of leadership experience OR Associate's Degree in Engineering or Technical field with 7 years of experience in a manufacturing, production, assembly, or operations environment and 2 years of leadership experience OR High School Diploma with 9 years of experience in a manufacturing, production, assembly, or operations environment and 2 years of leadership experience.
- Experience leading or supervising manufacturing teams and supporting daily production operations.
- Experience managing production schedules, staffing requirements, workflow prioritization and operational performance.
- Experience with GMP, quality systems, deviation management, CAPA processes and regulatory compliance requirements.
Preferred: Experience in single-use technologies, biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device manufacturing environments. Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or operational excellence certification. Experience supporting process validation, FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) activities and new product introductions. Experience managing cross-functional manufacturing projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Required: Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production planning, and workflow management within regulated environments. Knowledge of GMP, quality systems, deviation investigations, CAPA processes, and audit readiness requirements. Ability to lead, motivate, coach, and develop manufacturing teams to achieve operational objectives. Ability to manage attendance, schedules, staffing levels, vacation planning, and workforce utilization. Ability to hold employees accountable for performance, attendance, safety, quality, and compliance expectations. Experience conducting performance evaluations, coaching discussions, and corrective action processes. Strong leadership, conflict resolution, and employee relations skills. Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and root cause analysis capabilities. Ability to analyze operational data, identify trends, and implement performance improvements. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, ERP systems, and manufacturing-related systems.
Preferred: Experience with SAP, Agile, MES, TrackWise, MasterControl, or similar systems. Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, PPI, and continuous improvement methodologies. Experience with Power BI or manufacturing performance dashboards. Change management and organizational development experience.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
- Frequent standing and walking on the manufacturing floor for extended periods (up to 6-8 hours per shift)
- Occasional sitting for administrative and reporting tasks
- Bending, reaching, and light physical movement required to support floor operations and monitor processes
- Occasional lifting of materials or equipment up to 25 lbs
- Minimal requirement for heavy lifting; assistance or equipment available where needed
- Combination of office and manufacturing floor environment
- Regular exposure to GMP-regulated and quality-controlled manufacturing environments requiring PPE (e.g., gowns, gloves, safety shoes & glasses)
- Exposure to production equipment and moderate noise levels
- May require flexibility to support different shifts or extended hours based on production needs
- Occasional participation in audits or cross-functional activities within the facility
Requirements
- Advanced Degree with 3 years of experience in manufacturing, production, assembly, or operations environment and 2 years of leadership experience OR Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent with 5 years of experience in a manufacturing, production, assembly, or operations environment and 2 years of leadership experience OR Associate's Degree in Engineering or Technical field with 7 years of experience in a manufacturing, production, assembly, or operations environment and 2 years of leadership experience OR High School Diploma with 9 years of experience in a manufacturing, production, assembly, or operations environment and 2 years of leadership experience
- Experience leading or supervising manufacturing teams and supporting daily production operations
- Experience managing production schedules, staffing requirements, workflow prioritization and operational performance
- Experience with GMP, quality systems, deviation management, CAPA processes and regulatory compliance requirements
- Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production planning, and workflow management within regulated environments
- Knowledge of GMP, quality systems, deviation investigations, CAPA processes, and audit readiness requirements
- Ability to lead, motivate, coach, and develop manufacturing teams to achieve operational objectives
- Ability to manage attendance, schedules, staffing levels, vacation planning, and workforce utilization
- Ability to hold employees accountable for performance, attendance, safety, quality, and compliance expectations
- Experience conducting performance evaluations, coaching discussions, and corrective action processes
- Strong leadership, conflict resolution, and employee relations skills
- Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and root cause analysis capabilities
- Ability to analyze operational data, identify trends, and implement performance improvements
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, ERP systems, and manufacturing-related systems
- Experience in single-use technologies, biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device manufacturing environments
- Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or operational excellence certification
- Experience supporting process validation, FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) activities and new product introductions
- Experience managing cross-functional manufacturing projects and continuous improvement initiatives
- Experience with SAP, Agile, MES, TrackWise, MasterControl, or similar systems
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, PPI, and continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience with Power BI or manufacturing performance dashboards
- Change management and organizational development experience
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Health Incentive Programs
- Employee Assistance Program
- Family Support Programs
- Commuter Benefits
- Tuition Reimbursement
- 120 Hours PTO
- 10 Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Accident & Life Insurance
- Short & Long-Term Disability
- 401(k) Matching
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Company overview
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue of approximately $40 billion. The company's mission is to enable customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. With over 100,000 employees globally, Thermo Fisher provides an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience, and pharmaceutical services through its industry-leading brands including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services, Patheon, and PPD. The company serves customers across healthcare, life sciences, applied markets, and pharmaceutical sectors, offering solutions that accelerate research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics, and increase laboratory productivity. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Thermo Fisher operates globally, delivering critical scientific products, services, and workflow solutions that support researchers, organizations, and companies in addressing some of the world's most pressing issues.