Manufacturing Supervisor
Thermo Fisher Scientific · Santa Clara, CA
- Level
- Supervisor
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $84k–$121k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Pharma & life sciences
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A supervisor manufacturing role at Thermo Fisher Scientific (pharma & life sciences) in Santa Clara, CA.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, CAPA, FDA / GMP, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
- Base pay
- $84k–$121k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Production Supervisor roles in California: typical posted base $84k–$106k. This one lists $84k–$121k.
Median of the low and high ends of 24 live postings that list pay, out of 42 production supervisor openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 85 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- In line with similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $85k–$123k, from 12 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 37%
- Machining 35%
- ✓ Team leadership 35%
- CNC 35%
- ✓ New product launch 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Six Sigma, CAPA, FDA / GMP, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), 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 Manufacturing 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?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- 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
responsibilities
described above are representative of the nature and level of work performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.
Required
- ✓Advanced Degree with 3 years of experience in manufacturing, production, assembly, or operations environment and 2 years of leadership experience OR
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent with 5 years of experience in a manufacturing, production, assembly, or operations environment 2 years of leadership experience OR
Associate’s Degree in Engineering or Technical field with 7 years of experience in a manufacturing, production, assembly, or operations environment and 2 years of leadership experience OR
High School Diploma with 9 years of experience in a manufacturing, production, assembly, or operations environment and 2 years of leadership experience.
- ✓Experience leading or supervising manufacturing teams and supporting daily production operations.
- ✓Experience managing production schedules, staffing requirements, workflow prioritization and operational performance.
- ✓Experience with GMP, quality systems, deviation management, CAPA processes and regulatory compliance requirements.
Required
- ✓Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production planning, and workflow management within regulated environments.
- ✓Knowledge of GMP, quality systems, deviation investigations, CAPA processes, and audit readiness requirements.
- ✓Ability to lead, motivate, coach, and develop manufacturing teams to achieve operational objectives.
- ✓Ability to manage attendance, schedules, staffing levels, vacation planning, and workforce utilization.
- ✓Ability to hold employees accountable for performance, attendance, safety, quality, and compliance expectations.
- ✓Ex
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Laboratory Setting, Loud Noises (Equipment/Machinery), Office, Various outside weather conditions, Warehouse, Working at heights
Job Description
How You Will Make an Impact
The Supervisor, Manufacturing, leads daily manufacturing operations at the site, ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient execution of production activities to meet customer and business requirements. This role is a frontline manufacturing leadership role responsible for delivering safe, compliant, high-quality production results while leading, developing, and holding a manufacturing team accountable for operational performance, workforce engagement, and business objectives within a GMP-regulated environment. The position drives workforce management, employee development, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration while ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
Day In The Life
- •Lead daily manufacturing operations to ensure production schedules, customer commitments, quality requirements, and business objectives are achieved.
- •Direct, prioritize, and coordinate manufacturing activities across Manufacturing Technicians, Sr. Manufacturing Technicians, and Lead Manufacturing Technicians.
- •Monitor workflow, production performance, staffing levels, and resource allocation to ensure efficient execution of production plans.
- •Drive on-time delivery, productivity, throughput, quality, and cost performance metrics through effective operational management.
- •Conduct regular Gemba walks, monitor daily management metrics, and identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, delivery, and productivity.
- •Ensure manufacturing activities are performed in compliance with GMP, quality, safety, and documentation requirements.
- •Review and approve manufacturing documentation, support deviation investigations, CAPA activities, and audit readiness initiatives.
- •Support new product introductions, process validations, production transfers, and continuous improvement projects.
- •Lead Lean Manufacturing and Practical Process Improvement (PPI) initiatives to improve operational performance and eliminate waste.
- •Partner with Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Project Management, Validation, and Maintenance teams to support manufacturing priorities and resolve operational issues.
- •Manage employee schedules, shift coverage, vacation planning, timekeeping, attendance, and workforce planning activities to support operational requirements.
- •Hold team members accountable for attendance, punctuality, productivity, quality, safety, training compliance and adherence to company policies and procedures.
- •Support recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and workforce planning activities to maintain appropriate staffing levels.
- •Provide coaching, mentoring, performance feedback, and development opportunities to support employee growth and performance.
- •Conduct performance discussions, address performance concerns, and administer corrective actions in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- •Ensure employees receive appropriate onboarding, training, qualification, and cross-training to maintain workforce flexibility and operational continuity.
- •Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, continuous learning, teamwork, and customer focus.
- •Escalate operational, quality, staffing, and resource issues as appropriate and support implementation of corrective actions.
- •Maintain a safe, compliant, and audit-ready manufacturing environment. Perform other duties as assigned.
The
Preferred
- +Experience in single-use technologies, biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device manufacturing environments.
- +Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or operational excellence certification.
- +Experience supporting process validation, FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) activities and new product introductions.
- +Experience managing cross-functional manufacturing projects and continuous improvement initiatives.