Sterility Assurance Steward

Location

North Carolina | United States

Job description

Sterility Assurance Steward

Location: Durham, North Carolina, United States

Office space available at location listed

Industry: Pharmaceutical / Biotech

Job Category: Manufacturing - Other Manufacturing

At our company, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

Our company is designing and building a new state of the art Parenteral, Device Assembly, and Packaging Facility located at the Research Triangle Park (RTP) in North Carolina. This is an exciting opportunity to help build and operate a state-of-the-art manufacturing site and Quality System from the ground up.

The Sterility Assurance Steward – Technical Services / Manufacturing Science (TS/MS) is a role encompasses technical leadership and advisory roles in all aspects of sterility assurance of parenteral products, including but not limited to formulation, container closure, delivery systems, processing, and manufacturing environment. The Sterility Assurance Steward develops and implements a technical agenda with three primary objectives: (1) reliable, compliant manufacturing of the drug product; (2) improvement of the process control strategy, continuous optimization, development, and the innovation of technologies; (3) continual deepening of the scientific understanding of sterility assurance. The technical agenda exists throughout the entire product, process, and facility lifecycle.

A key attribute of this position includes assessment of existing strategies to identify areas for continuous improvement and development of new strategies for sterility assurance programs, including Contamination Control Strategy, Aseptic Process Simulation, Filter Validation, Container Closure Validation, Leaks and Glove Management, Environmental Monitoring, Facility Disinfection, Gowning and Hygiene, and Sterility Assurance Risk Management programs. At the Steward level, the scientist provides leadership and influence across the Parenteral Network. The scope of the role includes syringe filling and device assembly & packaging operations for commercially manufactured products targeted for transfer to the RTP site.

Key Objectives / Deliverables:

• Responsible for maintaining a safe work environment, working safely and accountable for supporting all HSE Corporate and Site Goals.
• Understand the scientific principles required for manufacturing parenteral drug products, including the interaction of chemistry, equipment, aseptic processes, and container closure systems.
• Use sterility assurance risk management to evaluate existing and proposed manufacturing processes and associated controls with respect to the potential for introduction of microbial, endotoxin and particulate contamination.
• Lead and / or participate in complex projects associated with sterility assurance programs.
• Lead and / or assist in the development and execution of process and facility monitoring strategies that focus on areas of highest microbial risk (e.g., disinfectant/sanitizing agent evaluation, resident microflora evaluation, airflow pattern testing, environmental monitoring PQ, aseptic process simulations, etc.)
• Lead major deviations for root cause analysis related to sterility assurance programs.
• Remain abreast of external regulatory requirements associated with sterility assurance programs.
• Influence revision to corporate guidance associated with sterility assurance programs.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement for sterility assurance programs.
• Provide design input related to new processes (e.g., facilities, equipment, etc.) for RTP.
• Represents and defends the site’s sterility assurance programs during internal audits and external regulatory inspections.
• Assists with writing regulatory submissions for sterility assurance programs.
• Create, review, approve and provide sterility assurance training for new hires and personnel from other sites.
• Provide technical mentorship to less senior scientists within the TS/MS organization.
• Provide technical mentorship to less senior cross-functional personnel within RTP.
• Provide technical consultation across the Parenteral Network.

Minimum Requirements:

• BS or MS in Microbiology, Biology, Biochemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or other related scientific discipline
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in the biopharmaceutical industry
• Additional Preferences:
• Master’s Degree in Microbiology, Biology, or related scientific field (or equivalent work experience) preferred
• Facility start-up and/or technical transfer experience, including environmental monitoring performance qualification and aseptic process simulations
• Prior experience in multiple functions associated with manufacture of parenteral products (e.g. operations, environmental monitoring, sterility assurance validation, microbiology laboratory, technical services, quality assurance, etc.)
• In depth knowledge of risk management and the understanding / ability to use risk assessment tools
• Ability to analyze complex data and solve problems
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills
• Teamwork / interpersonal skills ability to effectively influence
• Knowledge of microbiology and sterility assurance

Other Information: 

• Role is Monday through Friday based. Must be flexible in providing support to accommodate other inputs (production schedules, shutdowns, etc.). Occasional extended hour and / or off-hour work may be required.
• Position will be based out of RTP site with ability to travel to Indianapolis and other global company sites as required.
• Our company 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.
• Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and help our company develop talented individuals for future leadership roles. Our current groups include Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, African American Network, Chinese Culture Network, Early Career Professionals, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), the company's India Network, Organization of Latinos at the company, PRIDE (LGBTQ + Allies), Veterans Leadership Network, Women’s Network, Working and Living with Disabilities. Learn more about all of our groups.

Security Clearance Required: No

Visa Candidate Considered: No

Compensation

• Base Salary - USD $120,000 to $180,000
• Full-time
• Benefits - Full
• Relocation Assistance Available - Yes
• Commission Compensation - No
• Bonus Eligible - No
• Overtime Eligible - No
• Interview Travel Reimbursed - No

Candidate Details

• Seniority Level - Mid-Senior
• Management Experience Required - No
• Minimum Education - Bachelor's Degree
• Willingness to Travel - Occasionally

Job tags

Salary

$100k