Job Description

What You’ll Do

The Manufacturing Manager, Aseptic Operations leads commercial sterile drug and medical device manufacturing operations across ISO 7 and ISO 5 cleanroom environments, ensuring compliance, product quality, operational efficiency, and on-time customer delivery. In this role, you serve as a subject matter expert in aseptic processing, contamination control, and cleanroom manufacturing operations.

How You’ll Contribute

•    Leads daily aseptic manufacturing operations, including equipment setup and sterilization, dissolution, bulk preparation, sterile filtration, formulation, aseptic tank-to-tank transfers, and syringe filling activities.
•    Ensures all manufacturing processes comply with FDA cGMPs, ISO 13408, EU GMP Annex 1, and applicable international regulatory requirements.
•    Provides leadership, coaching, and development for Manufacturing Leads, Manufacturing Specialists, and Manufacturing Technicians to strengthen technical capability and aseptic discipline.
•    Optimizes personnel, equipment, and facility utilization to meet production schedules, customer requirements, and operational performance targets.
•    Develops and manages departmental operating budgets, analyzes variances, and implements corrective actions to achieve financial objectives.
•    Drives continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, cost reduction, contamination control, and expansion of aseptic manufacturing capabilities.
•    Collaborates cross-functionally with Quality Assurance, Engineering, R&D, Finance, Marketing, and Supply Chain to support manufacturing operations and successful product transfers.
•    Supports quality systems activities including deviations, CAPAs, change controls, investigations, and contamination control improvements.
•    Ensures accurate execution of manufacturing documentation, material consumption activities, and MRP transactions within ERP systems.
•    Interfaces directly with customers, auditors, and regulatory agencies during inspections and plant audits related to aseptic processing operations.
•    Oversees external vendors supporting cleanroom gowning, gowning inventory, and cleanroom cleaning services to ensure compliance with contamination control requirements.
•    Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

What It Takes

This role has primary responsibility for the manufacture and delivery of sterile drug and medical device products that meet internal and external customer expectations. The position requires strong analytical decision-making skills and the ability to manage complex aseptic manufacturing operations in highly regulated environments. Erroneous or delayed decisions may result in contamination events, operational disruptions, regulatory risk, or significant business impact. Success in this role requires deep technical expertise in aseptic processing, sound operational judgment, and strong leadership, organizational, interpersonal, and team-building capabilities.

What You Bring

•    Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Life Sciences, or equivalent relevant experience.
•    Minimum of 8 years of experience in cGMP pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing environments.
•    Minimum of 4 years of progressive supervisory or leadership experience.
•    Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical and/or medical device GMP requirements in commercial manufacturing operations.
•    Demonstrated experience with aseptic processing, including ISO 7/ISO 5 cleanroom operations, sterile filtration, aseptic transfers, and aseptic filling.
•    Experience leading teams in regulated manufacturing environments with a focus on quality, compliance, and operational excellence.
•    Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate across functions and with external stakeholders.
•    Experience using SAP or similar ERP systems for MRP transactions, manufacturing execution, and reporting.
•    Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

Nice to Have

•    Experience collaborating closely with Quality Systems, Engineering, Finance, and R&D teams in support of manufacturing operations and product commercialization.
•    Understanding of operational and standard cost accounting principles related to manufacturing operations.
•    Experience supporting regulatory inspections and customer audits within sterile manufacturing environments.
•    Demonstrated success implementing operational efficiency, contamination control, or continuous improvement initiatives.
•    Advanced knowledge of aseptic processing standards, contamination control strategies, and cleanroom best practices.

The salary range provided is based on the Company’s reasonable estimate of the base salary pay range for this position at the time of posting. Actual base pay is determined by several factors relevant to the position, including skills, competencies, experience, education, and geographic location. Anika also offers a discretionary bonus program for all full-time employees, comprehensive healthcare benefits, health savings account, 401(k) plan with up to 5% company match which includes immediate vesting, employee stock purchase plan at a 15% discount, accrued paid time off, additional long-term incentives including stock awards, and much more. At Anika, we take pride in offering robust Total Rewards, inclusive of market-leading benefits to meet our employees where they are in their career and in life. 

The compensation and benefits information is provided as of the date of this posting. Anika reserves the right to modify compensation and benefits at any time, subject to applicable law.