Shift Manager, Manufacturing Operations - Back End Nights - Biotech

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Novo Nordisk is seeking a Shift Manager, Manufacturing Operations for the Back End Nights at its West Lebanon, NH site. You will lead safe, compliant GMP production on the night shift for upstream and downstream drug substance, coach a high-performing, diverse team, and ensure real-time decision making during shift transitions while aligning with quality and regulatory goals. The ideal candidate brings 3+ years of manufacturing leadership in a regulated environment (or equivalent), a Lean/Six Sigma mindset, and hands-on experience with cGMP, sterile/cleanroom operations, and manufacturing systems. To apply, tailor your resume to highlight leadership impact, safety, problem solving, and continuous improvement, and reference the Novo Nordisk Way. Note the onsite rotating night schedule and occasional day trainings.

About the Department     

Site New Hampshire, located in West Lebanon, is where Novo Nordisk’s life-saving treatments are brought to life. Our manufacturing facility produces a global supply of our hemophilia and growth hormone product lines, as well as our next generation of cutting-edge medications. It’s not your average production site – it’s a tight-knit, supportive community working together to contribute to a better tomorrow for our patients. Ethics and quality are held in the highest regard, and a patient-focused mindset guides everything we do. We’re looking for individuals who are self-starters with a strong work ethic to join our team. At Novo Nordisk, you will find opportunities, resources and mentorship to grow and build your career. Are you ready to realize your potential?

The Position

The Shift Manager, Manufacturing Operations is responsible for leading safe, compliant, and efficient GMP manufacturing operations while developing a high-performing operations team. This role oversees daily GMP production activities for our night shift upstream and downstream drug substance manufacturing processes, drives operational excellence; and ensures alignment with business, quality, and regulatory objectives. The position partners cross-functionally to improve processes, standardize operations, and support continuous improvement initiatives across the manufacturing organization. The Shift Manager will support consistent operations and enable effective, real-time decision making on the floor while day shift support functions and senior management are not physically present during the night shift. To succeed in this role the Shift Manager will need to have an agile and cLEAN mindset in order to independently problem solve, adjust resources 'on the fly', and be able to prioritize tasks between multiple different process areas within this department.  This role will collaborate with day shift during shift transition periods to ensure a smooth transition, and proactively raise potential problems to the next shift. Prior experience in a GMP and/or FDA regulated environment is a plus. This role will require regular presence in our sterile/cleanroom areas (requirements are listed in essential functions).

In addition to operational leadership, the role is accountable for coaching, developing, and engaging employees to foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement aligned with the Novo Nordisk Way. Novo Nordisk expects their managers to stay engaged in the personal growth and develop of their team members, and participate in a variety of company programs which provide development opportunities and consistent feedback to their team members. The Manager ensures operational readiness, supports execution of strategic and tactical priorities, and drives performance through strong people leadership and disciplined execution. 

This role is based onsite at our West Lebanon, NH bioproduction facility. Shift Schedule for this role is our Back End Nights Shift which rotates every other week:

• Week 1: 6:45PM - 6:45AM Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• Week 2: 6:45PM - 6:45AM Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
• Ocassional presence on day shift for trainings and critical meetings will be expected.

Relationships

Reports to: Sr. Manager, API Manufacturing

Essential Functions

• Lead, coach, and develop employees to build a high-performing, engaged, and inclusive team environment that supports operational excellence and continuous improvement
• Manage day-to-day personnel responsibilities including staffing, scheduling, performance management, employee relations, and consistent application of company policies, procedures, and leadership expectations
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, training, and development opportunities to support employee growth, technical capability, accountability, and succession planning
• Establish and manage clear goals, priorities, performance expectations, Individual Development Plans (IDPs), and learning plans aligned with business objectives
• Foster a culture aligned with the Novo Nordisk Way and NNWay essentials through employee engagement, recognition, collaboration, and support of organizational change initiatives across teams and functions
• Lead and oversee manufacturing and shift operations to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient execution of production activities while meeting business, quality, customer, and stakeholder objectives
• Promote and maintain a strong culture of safety, environmental stewardship, compliance, and operational excellence in alignment with cGMPs, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and Novo Nordisk values
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve operational processes through standardization, simplification, problem solving, and sustainable process improvements across teams and shifts
• Align operational activities with production lead-time targets, site priorities, and performance expectations to support operational continuity and business objectives
• Support the implementation, validation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of manufacturing systems, equipment, and processes as required
• Lead and collaborate on cross-functional operational initiatives, improvement projects, audits, inspections, and regulatory interactions to ensure operational readiness and compliance
• Supports manufacturing activities in other departments as instructed by manager
• All other duties as assigned
• Performs all job duties and responsibilities in a compliant and ethical manner and in accordance with all applicable healthcare laws, regulations and industry codes
• Incorporates the Novo Nordisk Way and 10 Essentials in all activities and interactions with others

Development of People

Supervisory. Ensure that reporting personnel have individual development plans (IDP), with annual goals and measurements that are consistent with the priorities of the business, and that interim reviews are held so that their work is focused on those priorities, and they understand their level of accountability for results and the measurement process. Ensure that the IDP forms include completed learning and aspiration plans and are in place for all reporting personnel to enable the achievement of goals and capability to assume increased levels of responsibility. Manage the application and communication of all Novo Nordisk policies, procedures, and Novo Nordisk Way.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum of three (3) years of experience in a manufacturing organization required, preferably pharmaceutical manufacturing
• May consider an Associate’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in a manufacturing environment, required, preferably pharmaceutical manufacturing
• May consider a High School diploma or GED with seven (7) years of experience in a manufacturing environment, required, preferably pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Minimum of three (3) years of direct supervisory experience required or for internal candidates may consider successful completion of NN leadership talent development program (ie: GROW or other combination of training and experience)
• Comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing operations and production processes within a regulated cGMP environment required
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across all organizational levels and functions required
• Ability to maintain compliance with cGMP requirements, company policies, regulatory expectations, and ethical business standards while ensuring inspection readiness required
• Computer expertise in the following applications: MS Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Access, PLCs, PAS-X and SAP a plus
• Ability to read, write and understand complicated product documentation and standard operating procedures with attention to detail required
• Ability to identify operational risks, evaluate complex situations, and make sound decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment preferred
• Proven ability to drive continuous improvement through process optimization, data-driven problem-solving, organizational change leadership, and application of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies
• Skilled in fostering a culture of quality, compliance, safety, and operational excellence preferred
• Ability to lead and develop employees through coaching, performance management, feedback, recognition, and career development planning required
• Ability to effectively manage change, promote employee engagement, and support a positive and inclusive work environment
• Knowledge of environmental, health, safety, and compliance requirements and their application in manufacturing operations

Physical Requirements

0-10% overnight travel required. The ability to finger, balance, climb, stoop, stand, and walk. The ability to speak, listen, and understand verbal and written communication. While performing this job, employee work involves standing and walking most of the time with sitting required only occasionally. This position may lift up to 15 kg (33 pounds) frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Visual acuity to perform close activities such as reading, writing, visual inspection and analyzing; and to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work assigned or to make general observations. The working environment includes a variety of physical conditions including noise, gowning and ungowning, close proximity to moving parts and equipment, and exposure to chemicals; atmospheric conditions including: odors, fumes, and dust.

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.