Team Leader IPI - Quality Operations

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards

Job Description

When you’re part of the team at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll do important work, helping customers in finding cures for cancer, protecting the environment, and making sure our food is safe. Your work will have a real-world impact, and you’ll be supported in achieving your career goals.

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a world-class company serving the scientific community and healthcare industry. We are leaders in providing clinical supply chain management services and clinical supplies distributed to patients worldwide.

Position Summary

The Team Leader – In-Process Inspection (IPI) is responsible for leading and coordinating daily inspection activities within the Press Manufacturing environment.

This role ensures compliance with quality standards, GMP requirements, customer specifications, and operational objectives while supporting team performance, employee development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The Team Leader acts as a key interface between shop floor operations, Quality, Production, Engineering, and Management to ensure timely delivery of high-quality manufactured products.

This position reports directly to the Press Manufacturing Manager.

Your Responsibilities

1. Operations & Inspection Management

Ensure smooth daily IPI operations within Press Manufacturing

Coordinate inspection activities across multiple operational areas, including flexographic and digital press production + folding machines

Monitor daily production schedules and proactively address operational constraints or delays

Ensure timely completion of inspection activities aligned with manufacturing priorities

Support inspection execution when operationally required

Provide visibility on inspection status and operational priorities to management

Ensure effective shift handover and continuity between teams

Support manufacturing coverage planning, including overtime coordination when needed

2. Team Management

Lead, supervise, and support IPI inspectors in daily operations

Maintain strong shop floor presence and accessibility

Ensure inspectors comply with established inspection standards and procedures

Monitor employee performance and support achievement of departmental goals and KPIs

Provide regular performance feedback and contribute to PMD processes

Support employee engagement, accountability, and team development

Promote a positive and collaborative team environment

Support conflict resolution and day-to-day team management activities

3. Training & People Development

Ensure onboarding and proper integration of new employees

Ensure all inspectors are appropriately trained and qualified for their activities

Evaluate employee competency and maintain training compliance

Support continuous learning and development opportunities

Promote team versatility and operational flexibility

Establish and support annual development objectives for team members

4. Quality, Safety & Compliance

Ensure compliance with SOPs, WIs, Master Forms, customer protocols, and cGMP requirements

Maintain a safe and compliant working environment

Promote a strong quality culture within the department

Support investigations related to:

Complaints

Deviations

Quality events

Audit observations

Participate in internal and client audits and support audit readiness activities

Ensure accurate completion and review of departmental documentation and checklists

Conduct all activities in accordance with Thermo Fisher safety standards and GMP requirements

5. Cross-functional Coordination & Communication

Coordinate activities with:

Production

Quality Assurance

Label Design

Planning / Administration

IT

Other operational departments

Work closely with Press Manufacturing leadership to ensure production priorities are achieved

Partner with Engineering and IT teams on equipment qualifications, validations, and system updates

Communicate effectively with vendors regarding automated inspection equipment improvements or issues

Provide timely responses to internal and external stakeholders when operational issues arise

Participate in daily operational meetings and escalation discussions

6. Continuous Improvement & Performance Management

Drive continuous improvement initiatives through PPI and JDI projects

Identify operational inefficiencies and support implementation of corrective actions

Support process optimization initiatives within IPI operations

Monitor and report departmental metrics and operational KPIs

Maintain accurate area data collection and reporting

Contribute to standardization and best practice implementation

Support implementation and revision of SOPs, WIs, and Master Forms

7. Reporting & Operational Support

Escalate operational risks, quality concerns, and resource constraints proactively

Provide operational updates and inspection status visibility to management

Support decision-making through clear communication and reporting

Assist leadership in maintaining operational continuity and customer satisfaction

Support aggressive production timelines while maintaining the highest quality standards

Your Profile

High School Diploma or GED required

Associate Degree preferred

2+ years of inspection and/or proofreading experience required

2+ years of pharmaceutical, clinical, packaging, labeling, or related GMP experience preferred

Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred

Experience in QA/QC, manufacturing, packaging, or clinical operations is considered an asset

Strong knowledge of GMP and regulatory requirements

Strong organizational and prioritization skills

Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy

Ability to work effectively with confidential information

Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Key Competencies

Strong leadership and team collaboration skills

High level of accountability and ownership

Ability to make decisions and solve operational challenges effectively

Strong problem-solving mindset

Flexibility and adaptability in a changing operational environment

Ability to work under pressure and meet tight timelines

Strong customer and quality focus

Strong engagement and shop floor presence