Job Title: Manufacturing OperatorJob Description
The Manufacturing Operator works under direct supervision to operate pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment in a cGMP environment, producing clinical supplies and supporting development experiments. This role combines hands-on equipment operation, meticulous documentation, and collaboration with quality, maintenance, and development teams in a fast-growing contract manufacturing setting.
Responsibilities
Train on and consistently follow all applicable policies and procedures, including regulatory requirements, safety guidelines, standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and related documentation.
Perform pharmaceutical manufacturing activities in a GMP or other regulated manufacturing environment while maintaining strict compliance with quality and safety standards.
Execute batch record activities and maintain Good Documentation Practices (GDP), ensuring all manufacturing data, entries, and corrections are accurate, complete, and legible.
Set up manufacturing lines, perform changeovers, and operate production and packaging equipment according to established procedures.
Carry out room and equipment setup, operation, and cleaning for pharmaceutical production, ensuring areas and equipment meet cleanliness and readiness requirements.
Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and engineering controls to perform all tasks safely and in accordance with safety policies.
Conduct in-process inspections and sampling to verify product quality and process performance, documenting results as required.
Use the designated IT platform and computer systems to enter data, complete electronic records, and support manufacturing and quality processes.
Perform developmental manufacturing experiments under the direction of a formulation specialist or process engineer, following experimental protocols and documenting outcomes.
Support investigational and quality systems activities, including assisting with deviations, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Assist maintenance personnel with preventative maintenance activities, basic troubleshooting, and minor repairs of manufacturing equipment as needed.
Participate actively in continuous improvement activities by suggesting process enhancements, efficiency gains, and quality improvements.
Remain current with professional and industry trends, incorporating new knowledge into daily work where appropriate.
Make positive contributions by offering suggestions for improvement and actively learning new skills, procedures, and processes.
Carry out duties in full compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations, as well as company and site policies and procedures.
Remain available for additional duties as required to support production schedules and operational needs.
Be available for overtime as needed to meet production and project timelines.
Essential Skills
Associates Degree in a scientific discipline, engineering, or a related field.
At least 2 years of experience in GMP pharmaceutical manufacturing, research and development (R&D), or pharmaceutical equipment manufacturing.
2+ years of experience with batch record review, QA operations, and line clearance in a pharmaceutical or CDMO GMP environment.
Hands-on experience as a manufacturing operator or packaging technician in a regulated or GMP manufacturing setting.
Demonstrated experience working within QA and compliance requirements in a pharmaceutical or CDMO production environment.
Strong knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and their application to daily manufacturing activities.
Ability to read and interpret standard operating procedures, manuals, batch records, work instructions, and specifications.
Legible handwriting and the ability to complete detailed written documentation accurately and consistently.
Clear written and oral communication skills for effective interaction with cross-functional teams and accurate documentation.
Proficiency with basic arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions, and the ability to apply these concepts to practical manufacturing tasks.
Ability to identify simple and moderate problems related to job functions and escalate or resolve them appropriately.
Demonstrated deductive reasoning skills to apply general rules to specific problems and produce logical solutions.
Demonstrated inductive reasoning skills to combine pieces of information and identify patterns, trends, or relationships.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks while maintaining speed, accuracy, and attention to detail without compromising production or quality.
Ability to work effectively with others in a team environment, supporting shared goals and production targets.
Basic computer skills, including the ability to enter data using software applications for data entry and word processing, and to work proficiently with email systems.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Degree in Sciences or Chemical Engineering, providing a strong foundation in scientific principles and process understanding.
Experience in a pharmaceutical or CDMO GMP environment with exposure to production operations, chemical handling, equipment operation, and SOP-driven processes.
Familiarity with pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and terminology.
Successful completion of required regulatory and job-specific training, with a commitment to ongoing compliance and learning.
Comfort using IT platforms for data entry, documentation, and communication in a regulated environment.
Demonstrated ability to adapt to new procedures, technologies, and processes in a growing manufacturing organization.
Willingness to support multiple new products and processes as the business expands and new projects are introduced.
Work Environment
This role is based in a contract manufacturing organization (CMO) focused on high-quality pharmaceutical production and handling of various samples and products. The position operates on a first-shift schedule, typically from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the expectation of overtime as needed to support production demands. Team members work in a modern, brand-new facility equipped with updated pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging equipment, designed to meet stringent cGMP and regulatory requirements. The environment emphasizes quality, safety, and compliance, with routine use of personal protective equipment and engineering controls. Employees interact closely with quality, engineering, maintenance, and development teams in a collaborative setting. The organization is experiencing significant growth, with recent expansion in headcount and multiple new products entering the pipeline, offering opportunities to work with new technologies and processes in a dynamic and fast-paced production environment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cranbury, NJ.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $30.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Cranbury,NJ.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
