Senior Plant Manager
Thermo Fisher Scientific · Columbia, MO
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Production
- Travel
- 15%
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 6+ years
- Industry
- Pharma & life sciences
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management production role at Thermo Fisher Scientific (pharma & life sciences) in Columbia, MO. You'll be responsible for developing and executing strategic plans, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining strong customer relationships.
- They ask for
- 6+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, ISO 13485, FDA / GMP, EHS / safety
- Day to day
- about 15% travel · relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Production Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $116k–$159k.
Median of the low and high ends of 266 live postings that list pay, out of 878 production engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Missouri plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 15 other live production postings in Missouri.
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (6+ vs 10+)
Similar roles usually ask 10+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Team leadership 63%
- ✓ Lean 50%
- ✓ EHS / safety 44%
- Tooling 25%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for ISO 13485, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Thermo Fisher Scientific
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- The posting says about 15% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from Thermo Fisher ScientificAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Requirements
- ✓Advanced Degree plus 6 years of experience, or Bachelor's Degree plus 8 years of experience in operations leadership in sophisticated manufacturing environments
- ✓Preferred Fields of Study: Engineering, Science, Business Management, or related field
- ✓Strong track record implementing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
- ✓Experience leading teams in FDA-regulated, cGMP, ISO 13485, or similar quality systems
- ✓Demonstrated financial acumen in budget management and operational cost control
- ✓Excellence in developing and executing strategic and annual operating plans
- ✓Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams in matrix organizations
- ✓Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives
- ✓Experience with quality systems, regulatory compliance, and audit management
- ✓Expert knowledge of operational KPIs and data-driven process improvement
- ✓Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills across all organizational levels
- ✓Proficiency in leading change management initiatives
- ✓Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- ✓Ability to travel up to 10-15% as required
- ✓Experience maintaining safety programs and environmental compliance
- ✓Excellent vendor and customer relationship management skills
We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus scheme, healthcare, company 401k, and a range of employee benefits! Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation.
Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform critical job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards
Job Description
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 : On-site Columbia, MO. Relocation assistance is NOT provided.
- •Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
- •Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening.
Description
Join Thermo Fisher Scientific as a Senior Manager, Plant/Site and contribute to global science and healthcare. You'll oversee operations at advanced facilities, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products that help our customers make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. This leadership role involves advancing operational excellence through Lean manufacturing principles, managing cross-functional teams, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.
As the site leader, you'll be responsible for developing and executing strategic plans, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining strong customer relationships. You'll support our core values of Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, and Involvement while cultivating a culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence. This role offers the opportunity to implement positive change, support team development, and contribute to scientific advances.