Sr. Director, Operations
Thermo Fisher Scientific · Morrisville, NC
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Production
- Travel
- 75%
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 6+ years
- Industry
- Pharma & life sciences
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level production role at Thermo Fisher Scientific (pharma & life sciences) in Morrisville, NC.
- They ask for
- 6+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, FDA / GMP
- Day to day
- about 75% travel · relocation help
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Production Engineer roles in North Carolina: typical posted base $96k–$136k.
Median of the low and high ends of 5 live postings that list pay, out of 35 production engineer openings in North Carolina, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
North Carolina plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 34 other live production postings in North Carolina.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (6+ vs 8+)
Typical $96k–$136k, from 5 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 8+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 49%
- Team leadership 46%
- ✓ Six Sigma 29%
- Automation 23%
- EHS / safety 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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
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- 2
Send a short, curious note
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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 75% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
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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.
This plant: Thermo Fisher Scientific in Morrisville
No other open roles at this site right now · 1 person we found in production roles at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Full description from Thermo Fisher ScientificAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
responsibilities
while scaling operations to meet growing demand. You'll support our PPI (Practical Process Improvement) business system and 4i values - Integrity, Intensity, Innovation and Involvement - while developing talent and building engaged, collaborative teams.
Requirements
- ✓Advanced Degree plus 6 years of experience, or Bachelor's Degree plus 8 years of experience in operations leadership in regulated manufacturing environments
- ✓Preferred Fields of Study: Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Business or related technical/scientific field
- ✓Advanced training in continuous improvement methodologies (Six Sigma, Lean)
- ✓Demonstrated P&L management and operational excellence experience at scale
- ✓Strong working knowledge of cGMP, FDA, and other relevant quality/regulatory
requirements
- ✓Experience leading and developing large, multi-functional teams
- ✓Experience implementing continuous improvement and lean manufacturing methodologies
- ✓Strong business acumen and analytical capabilities
- ✓Effective communication and influence skills across all organizational levels
- ✓Ability to implement change and deliver results in matrix environments
- ✓Experience with ERP systems and manufacturing technologies
- ✓Strong project management capabilities
- ✓Strategic mindset with ability to balance short and long-term priorities
- ✓Experience in customer/client relationship management
- ✓Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- ✓Ability to travel 50-75% as required
- ✓Change management and transformation experience
- ✓Cross-functional collaboration and influence skills
- ✓Financial planning and budget management expertise
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.
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Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Office
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 : Currently tied to Morrisville, NC (may be open to other locations). 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
As a Senior Director of Operations at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you'll manage complex manufacturing operations while driving strategic growth and operational excellence. This key leadership role involves directing production of high-quality products in regulated environments while ensuring exceptional customer service and compliance. You'll optimize end-to-end operations, implement continuous improvement initiatives, and develop high-performing teams aligned with our mission of enabling customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer.
Working closely with cross-functional partners, you'll establish and execute strategic plans, drive productivity and efficiency improvements, and support a culture focused on quality, safety and customer success. This role requires strong business acumen to manage P&L