Production Shift Lead – 1st Shift

Production Shift Lead – 1st Shift

Location: Torrance, CA |

Employment Type:

Full-Time

Poly Peptide is seeking a Shift Lead to oversee day‑to‑day manufacturing operations and help ensure the safe, compliant, and efficient production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, APIs, and peptide‑based products.

This role is ideal for someone with pharmaceutical manufacturing experience who enjoys being hands‑on, leading teams, solving technical challenges, and keeping production activities moving safely and effectively. As a Shift Lead, you will provide daily direction, technical training, and operational support to manufacturing personnel while helping ensure production schedules, documentation standards, and cGMP requirements are met.

Your work will directly support Poly Peptide’s commitment to operational excellence, quality, safety, and on‑time delivery to our customers.

Manufacturing leadership is critical to ensuring our processes are executed safely, consistently, and in compliance with regulatory requirements. In this role, you will be a key point of contact on shift, helping guide production activities, troubleshoot equipment or process issues, support team development, and ensure a smooth handoff between shifts.

This is a strong opportunity for someone who wants to grow as a manufacturing leader while staying closely connected to the science, equipment, and processes used in API and peptide manufacturing.

• Monitor and reinforce adherence to cGMP, FDA, DEA, EHS, and internal SOP requirements
• Ensure all team members follow PPE requirements and safe work practices
• Identify and address unsafe conditions promptly
• Support a strong safety and quality culture across the shift

• Develop daily work plans and assign shift activities based on production priorities
• Ensure shift activities align with production schedules, quality expectations, and efficiency goals
• Provide hands‑on leadership and guidance to manufacturing personnel
• Maintain a professional work environment and ensure appropriate coverage for breaks and meal periods
• Help keep the team aligned, focused, and accountable throughout the shift

• Train team members on equipment operation, SOPs, chemistry processes, and documentation standards
• Support training through Master Control and other required systems
• Maintain training and certification records
• Mentor team members and support continuous skill development
• Help build team capability, consistency, and confidence in manufacturing operations

• Execute and support manufacturing processes, including synthesis, purification, filtration, lyophilization, in‑process testing, and other API or peptide manufacturing stages
• Operate, troubleshoot, and support equipment such as reactors, Nutsche filters, prep and analytical HPLC/UPLC systems, lyophilizers, pumps, ovens, and material‑handing equipment
• Support equipment readiness and identify potential issues before they impact production
• Coordinate with cross‑functional teams to keep operations moving efficiently

• Ensure batch records, shift reports, logbooks, and production documents are accurate, complete, and compliant at the end of each shift
• Review documentation daily and address errors or gaps in a timely manner
  
  Act as a witness for critical operations when required
• Support quality investigations, deviations, CAPAs, and corrective action implementation
• Reinforce strong documentation practices across the team

• Lead shift huddles and communicate priorities, status updates, and process or equipment concerns
• Ensure clear and complete handoffs between shifts
• Escalate safety concerns, equipment failures, documentation issues, and schedule risks promptly
• Help maintain alignment between Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and other support teams

• Identify opportunities to improve safety, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and…