Job Description

Work Schedule

First Shift (Days)

Environmental Conditions

Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Cleanroom: no hair products, jewelry, makeup, nail polish, perfume, exposed piercings, facial hair etc... allowed, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)

Senior Operator

As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you'll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world's toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.

Location/Division Specific Information

The Senior Operator supports daily manufacturing and production activities within a regulated environment. This position works closely with Production Leadership, Quality, Maintenance, and other support functions to ensure products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established procedures and quality requirements.

How Will You Make an Impact?

As a Senior Operator, you will play a key role in ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing operations while serving as an experienced resource for other operators. You will support production execution, employee training, troubleshooting, documentation accuracy, and continuous improvement while maintaining high standards for safety, quality, and customer service.

A Day in the Life

• Perform and coordinate manufacturing, filling, packaging, labeling, inspection, and other production activities according to approved procedures, production records, and schedules.
• Set up, operate, monitor, clean, and perform routine adjustments to manufacturing and production equipment.
• Serve as a subject matter resource for Operators I and II by providing guidance, coaching, and hands-on training in manufacturing processes, equipment operation, documentation, safety, and quality requirements.
• Assist Production Leadership with daily work assignments, line coordination, staffing needs, workflow, and achievement of production priorities.
• Verify that production activities are performed according to approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions, Batch Records, Production Manufacturing Records, and applicable cGMP requirements.
• Perform and document required in-process checks, inspections, measurements, and verifications accurately and at the required frequency.
• Review production documentation for accuracy, completeness, legibility, and compliance before submission or completion of the manufacturing process.
• Identify documentation errors or discrepancies and ensure they are addressed according to established procedures.
• Monitor equipment and production processes to identify abnormalities, quality concerns, or potential equipment issues.
• Perform first-level troubleshooting and make approved equipment adjustments when necessary. Escalate complex equipment or process issues to Production Leadership, Maintenance, Engineering, or Quality as appropriate.
• Immediately communicate quality, safety, equipment, material, or process concerns and support investigations when required.
• Ensure proper material identification, handling, reconciliation, staging, and movement throughout the manufacturing process.
• Maintain accurate inventory and production records and ensure appropriate segregation and status identification of materials and products.
• Perform line clearance, equipment clearance, cleaning, sanitation, and changeover activities according to established procedures.
• Support startup, shutdown, and product changeover activities to minimize downtime and maintain production schedules.
• Ensure all required safety procedures and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements are followed.
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized, and inspection-ready work environment through 5S and good housekeeping practices.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, waste reduction, equipment performance, and operational efficiency.
• Assist with implementation of corrective and preventive actions and process improvements.
• Demonstrate leadership on the production floor by promoting teamwork, accountability, quality, safety, and adherence to established procedures.
• Communicate production status, equipment issues, quality concerns, and outstanding actions during shift handoffs and daily production meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support business and operational needs.

REQUIREMENTS

Education – EMEA

• High School Diploma, Secondary Education, Advanced Certificate, or equivalent required.
• Technical, vocational, manufacturing, or related certification is preferred where applicable.

Experience

• Required: Minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing, production, operations, packaging, laboratory operations, or a related field.
• Preferred: Experience in a cGMP/GMP-regulated manufacturing environment.
• Preferred: Previous experience serving as a senior operator, trainer, lead operator, or subject matter expert.
• Preferred: Experience operating, setting up, cleaning, and troubleshooting manufacturing or packaging equipment.
• Preferred: Experience completing and reviewing controlled manufacturing documentation.
• Preferred: Experience working in a cleanroom or controlled manufacturing environment, where applicable.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production procedures, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP/cGMP).
• Ability to read, understand, and consistently follow SOPs, Work Instructions, production records, and other controlled documentation.
• Strong attention to detail with demonstrated ability to complete manufacturing documentation accurately and thoroughly.
• Ability to recognize process, equipment, documentation, safety, and quality issues and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and ability to perform basic equipment troubleshooting and approved adjustments.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple production activities.
• Ability to work independently while effectively supporting and collaborating with a production team.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach, and provide guidance to less-experienced operators.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Production Leadership, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Warehouse, and other support functions.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to use manufacturing systems, computers, electronic documentation systems, and standard business applications as required.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while maintaining accuracy and compliance.
• Ability to identify opportunities for process improvement and participate in Lean, 5S, and continuous improvement activities.
• Dependable attendance and ability to support production schedules, including overtime, weekends, or alternate shifts when required.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during the work shift.
• Ability to bend, reach, stoop, push, pull, and perform repetitive manufacturing activities.
• Ability to lift and/or move materials and equipment within established site lifting requirements.
• Ability to safely operate production equipment and material-handling devices for which the employee has been properly trained and authorized.
• Ability to wear required PPE, which may include safety glasses, gloves, safety footwear, hearing protection, protective clothing, and cleanroom garments.
• May be required to work in controlled manufacturing, cleanroom, refrigerated, or other specialized environments depending on the production area.
• Must follow all Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Quality, GMP, and site-specific requirements.

What We Offer

Compensation

• Competitive Pay
• Performance Related Bonus where eligible
• Annual merit performance-based increase

Excellent Benefits

• Medical benefits
• Paid Time Off/Annual Leave
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Career Advancement Opportunities

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, each one of our colleagues has a unique story to tell. Join us and contribute to our singular mission—enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly pay range estimated for this position based in Virginia is $17.85–$26.77.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement

• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy

• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards