Production Lead

For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

Job Summary

Are you an experienced manufacturing professional with a passion for leading teams and delivering high‑quality products in a regulated environment? We are seeking a motivated and proactive Production Leader to join our GMP facility and play a pivotal role in ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient manufacture of our products.

About the Role

As a Production Leader, you will oversee day‑to‑day operations within the manufacturing facility, ensuring all activities are performed to the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance. You will lead, develop, and support a team of Biologics Manufacturing Operators, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate production activities to ensure delivery of the manufacturing schedule.
• Ensure all operations comply with GMP, SOPs, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide hands-on supervision, coaching, and development to the team.
• Monitor performance, troubleshoot issues, and drive process improvements.
• Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
• Support investigations, CAPAs, and change controls where required.
• Maintain an engaged, safety‑focused, and high‑performing team.

About You

• Proven experience working in a GMP-regulated manufacturing environment (pharmaceutical, biotech, medical devices, or similar).
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and guide teams.
• Excellent understanding of GMP principles and documentation standards.
• Confident communicator with strong problem‑solving abilities.
• Able to work flexibly in a fast‑paced environment.
• Passionate about quality, people development, and operational excellence.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to lead a dynamic team within a purpose‑driven organisation.
• Work in a high-quality GMP facility.
• Strong focus on employee development and progression.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Be part of a collaborative culture where your contribution truly matters.

About Charles River’s CDMO Services

With over 20 years of experience and industry-leading expertise, Charles River’s cell and gene therapy Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) group supports biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in advancing their complex programs from early development through commercialization. Our integrated, phase-appropriate CDMO capabilities—including plasmid DNA, viral vector, and cell therapy manufacturing—enable seamless development and faster timelines. With centers of excellence in the US and UK, we offer GMP-compliant and research-grade solutions, along with comprehensive analytical services and regulatory support. Whether clients need end-to-end development, standalone services, or insourced support, our CDMO team provides custom solutions to meet evolving program needs. From process development in Hanover to viral vector manufacturing in Rockville, large-scale cell therapy production in Memphis, and plasmid DNA services in Keele, we simplify the supply chain and accelerate cell and gene therapy breakthroughs.

About Charles River

Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.

With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world. 

At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly worked on 80% of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past five years.

At Charles River Laboratories, we recognize and recruit all talent. We are a company committed to fostering a sense of belonging and work daily in this direction.

  
For more information, please visit www.criver.com.