Job Details
Posted 20 August, 2026
Job Id: 629706
Senior Consultant – Commercial Lyophilization & Sterile Fill-Finish Operations
Job Description
Senior Consultant – Commercial Lyophilization & Sterile Fill-Finish Operations
Location: San Diego, CA preferred (or surrounding Southern California area) | Hybrid
Length of Assignment: 6 Months
Employment Type: Contract, with potential for contract to hire based on performance and business needs
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly experienced consultant with deep expertise in commercial lyophilization (freeze drying) and sterile fill-finish manufacturing operations to support a growing pharmaceutical manufacturing organization. This individual will provide hands-on technical and operational leadership, helping optimize commercial production activities, troubleshoot manufacturing challenges, and support strategic operational initiatives.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned manufacturing professional who began their career in engineering or technical operations and advanced into leadership roles through extensive hands-on experience in commercial manufacturing environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as a subject matter expert for commercial lyophilization and sterile fill-finish operations.
- Provide technical guidance and operational support for manufacturing processes and production activities.
- Identify and resolve production challenges, process bottlenecks, and operational inefficiencies.
- Support manufacturing readiness, process optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Advise leadership on best practices for commercial-scale aseptic manufacturing operations.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Validation, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to ensure compliant and efficient production.
- Mentor manufacturing personnel and provide hands-on troubleshooting support as needed.
- Support operational growth initiatives within a fast-paced and evolving business environment.
Required Qualifications
- Extensive commercial experience with lyophilization (freeze drying) operations.
- Strong background in sterile fill finish manufacturing and aseptic processing.
- Demonstrated hands-on expertise supporting all aspects of commercial production operations.
- Engineering, Manufacturing, or related technical background.
- Progressive career growth from technical or engineering roles into manufacturing leadership positions.
- Proven ability to work independently and provide strategic as well as tactical operational guidance.
- Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Available to start immediately or in the near term.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with SP Scientific (SP) Lyophilizer systems strongly preferred.
- Native or fluent Mandarin Chinese speaker.
- Experience working in both China and the United States highly preferred.
- Located in San Diego, CA or surrounding areas.
- Experience supporting operations within a biotech, pharmaceutical, or CDMO environment.
- Prior experience working with small, growing organizations as a consultant or operational leader.
Ideal Consultant Profile
The successful consultant will combine deep technical knowledge with practical operational leadership experience. This individual is hands-on, results-oriented, and thrives in entrepreneurial environments where speed, flexibility, and execution are critical. They possess a start-up mindset, a strong sense of urgency, and a proven track record of driving manufacturing success in commercial sterile manufacturing operations.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, sex, gender identity or expression, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy not to discriminate against any applicant or employee, and we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful work environment across all locations in which we operate. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our mission and enhance our ability to serve clients globally. If you have a disability or require any reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please inform your recruiter or contact us directly so that we can explore the appropriate arrangements.
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