3rd Shift Pharmaceutical Technician - Group Leader

Ardena • Franklin Township, NJ

14h • Onsite

About The Position

Ardena is hiring a Group Leader for the Operations team at our Somerset site. This role supports pharmaceutical development and manufacturing activities within a GMP-regulated environment. As a 3rd Shift Pharmaceutical Technician - Group Leader at Ardena, you will contribute to pharmaceutical development projects by performing scientific, technical, or operational activities. You will work in a regulated pharmaceutical environment, ensuring that all work meets GMP, GxP, and applicable ISO standards. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams including Quality Assurance, Regulatory Affairs, Project Management, Production, and other departments across Ardena’s European and US sites.

Requirements

• Degree in a relevant scientific or technical field (e.g., Chemistry, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Engineering) or equivalent professional experience
• Relevant industry experience in pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, or life sciences
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in GMP-regulated environments
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken (required across all Ardena sites)
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to utilize hand tools to assemble and disassemble various types of machinery.
• Ability to follow instructions and procedures (SOPs, cGMPs).
• Work in a safe manner.
• Computer literacy, solid communication (in English), and legible handwriting skills are necessary.
• Proficient reading and comprehension skills.
• Strong leadership skills and decision-making skills.
• Technical skills/trouble shooting skills. Demonstrate a high level of technical expertise and problem solving skills.
• Exemplary leadership skills with the ability to role model expected behaviors, coach and train peers and team members, and provide support and guidance in a team-based manufacturing environment.
• Grammatical and communication skills, both written and oral to keep others informed of progress and changes in status of work
• Able to work as part of team and adapt to changes in work duties
• Detail-oriented, thorough, methodical, and able to effectively meet deadlines.
• Mathematical and reasoning ability.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Nice To Haves

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED).
• 3+ years working in a pharmaceutical, biotech, or food manufacturing environment (regulated by GMP standards and requirements); subject matter expert in manufacturing operations with hands-on experience in at least three of the work center disciplines.
• Mechanically inclined candidates are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Actively lead manufacturing operations by working hands-on with manufacturing technicians, rolling up their sleeves to support the team, and ensuring productive, safe, and compliant operations on the production floor.
• Monitor projects to ensure agreed upon customer and department timelines are met and reports progress of projects to manufacturing leadership.
• Demonstrate technical proficiency and ability to independently troubleshoot complex manufacturing and equipment related problems.
• Foster a culture of Continuous Improvement and assist on projects that increase safety, productivity, and compliance.
• Lead and perform unit operations (work centers) consisting of and not limited to Hot Melt Extrusion, Fluid Bed, Roller Compaction, Encapsulation, Compression, Coating, Milling, Blending, Sifting, Dispensing, and other processes where assigned.
• Ensure document accuracy via completion of batch records, phase reviews, logbooks, label verification, and raw material verification.
• Maintain PPE compliance on the production floor.
• Show a bias for action and demonstrate a can-do attitude by being a self-starter with demonstrated passion.
• Check for accuracy all materials delivered from the dispensing area as well as all in-process materials from the prior unit operation as per current SOP.
• Support authoring of deviations, SOPs, risk assessments, and other records as they relate to operations.
• Perform a daily walk-through of all washrooms to ensure they are neat and orderly.
• Release rooms and equipment following cleaning validation sampling, facilities maintenance, or other activities.
• Perform and grant line clearance.
• Ensure consumable materials are fully stocked and request more as needed.
• Assign equipment and room cleaning when required.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and role model in the assigned area by demonstrating proper procedures, sound judgment, hands-on support, and adherence to safety, cGMP, SOP, and documentation requirements.
• Will maintain the immediate work area in a clean and safe manner and perform room and equipment cleanings as needed.
• Reports to manufacturing supervisor. Comprehends and adheres to all pertinent Health and Safety Regulations, Policies and Procedures and all cGMP’s and other Regulatory requirements and all related SOP’s as well as Batch Records and Protocols.
• Completes all required training activities.
• Perform room and equipment inspections and complete all pertinent documentation.
• Train, coach, mentor, and provide day-to-day support and guidance to peers and team members in the assigned area of expertise.
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Competitive salary and tailored benefits package (adjusted per role and location)
• Flexible working arrangements and paid annual leave (where applicable, depending on role and site)
• International and collaborative work environment across European and US sites
• Access to professional development and training programs
• Meaningful work on pharmaceutical development projects that advance patient health

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED