Becton, Dickinson and Company

Manufacturing Unit Leader- Pharma

Becton, Dickinson and Company • $90K — $120K *
El Paso, TX 79936In-Person
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, or related field (Master's preferred).
  • 5+ years of manufacturing experience in Pharma required.
  • 3-5 years in people leadership roles.
  • Strong experience with FDA regulations, GMP compliance, and audit management.
  • Proven track record in continuous improvement methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma.

Responsibilities

  • Lead daily manufacturing operations for the Pharma unit, ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards.
  • Provide direction to frontline leaders and production teams for alignment and execution discipline.
  • Drive the implementation of Tiered Management Systems to establish operational control.
  • Oversee core operations including formulation, aseptic processing, and filling activities.
  • Manage deviations and focus on sterility assurance and contamination control.
  • Ensure compliance with batch record documentation practices and QC testing processes.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to meet production and business priorities.

Benefits

  • Access to continuous training and development opportunities.
  • Participation in Lean and BD Excellence initiatives for career growth.
  • Opportunity to lead and shape a high-performing team culture.
  • Strong focus on workplace safety and a zero-incident culture.
  • Collaborative work environment with support from various functional teams.
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Pharma Manufacturing Unit Leader (MUL) is responsible for leading end-to-end manufacturing operations within the Pharma unit, ensuring strict compliance with regulatory standards (FDA, GMP) while driving operational excellence and delivering business performance targets. This role oversees cross-functional teams to ensure safe, high-quality, and efficient production, aligned with BD's transformation, compliance remediation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

As a Pharma Manufacturing Leader, this position operates in a highly controlled environment involving chemical and biological products, where risk is directly associated with dose accuracy, product potency, and contamination control. The role places a critical emphasis on robust process control, sterility assurance, and reproducibility to guarantee consistent product quality and patient safety.

Job Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership
  • Lead end-to-end daily manufacturing operations for the Pharma unit, ensuring strict adherence to production plans, safety protocols, and quality standards.
  • Provide clear and consistent direction to frontline leaders and production teams across all shifts to ensure alignment and execution discipline.
  • Drive effective implementation of Tiered Management and Daily Management Systems (TMS) to establish clear priorities and maintain operational control.
  • Oversee core pharma operations, including formulation, aseptic processing, and filling activities.
  • Maintain daily focus on:
  • Deviations and batch disposition
  • Environmental monitoring and cleanroom compliance
  • Sterility assurance and contamination control
  • Operate with a low tolerance for process variation, ensuring consistency and reproducibility.
  • Manage changes through a highly structured change control process, recognizing that:
    Every change carries potential regulatory and validation impact (changes may require re-validation, requalification, or regulatory approval).
  • Ensure strict adherence to:
  • Batch record review and documentation practices
  • QC testing and formal release processes
  • Oversee operations within highly controlled environments, including:
  • Cleanroom classifications (Grades A-D)
  • Environmental and contamination controls
  • Gowning, airlocks, and facility compliance standards
  • Recognize that facilities and utilities are integral to process validation and product quality.


Compliance & Quality
  • Ensure full compliance with FDA regulations, GMP standards, BD Quality Systems, and internal procedures, maintaining an always audit-ready environment.
  • Lead inspection readiness and actively support regulatory audits (FDA, internal, and external).
  • Drive timely and effective resolution of deviations, non-conformances (NCRs), and audit findings through robust CAPA processes.
  • Reinforce a strong quality culture with accountability at all levels, grounded in the principle:
    "Follow the process exactly and prove every batch meets specification."
  • Maintain focus on critical pharma risks including dose accuracy, potency, and contamination control.


People Leadership & Engagement
  • Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and production teams to build a high-performing, compliant, and accountable organization.
  • Ensure adequate staffing, capability building, and succession planning for business-critical roles.
  • Demonstrate discipline, rigor, and a zero-tolerance mindset for deviations.
  • Foster a culture of strong governance, documentation excellence, and audit readiness.
  • Balance operational performance with compliance priorities by:
  • Driving compliance discipline and deviation reduction
  • Accepting structured, deliberate decision-making processes
  • Maintaining focus on contamination control, batch release, and inspection readiness.
  • Promote BD Values, a strong Speak Up culture, and an inclusive, respectful work environment.


Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
  • Lead Lean and BD Excellence initiatives, including Kaizen events, process standardization, and waste elimination.
  • Deliver productivity improvements and cost targets aligned with the Cost-to-Win (CTW) strategy.
  • Leverage KPIs and data analytics to drive performance, with particular focus on deviation reduction, batch release efficiency, and right-first-time execution.
  • Support Factory Blueprint implementation and sustain standard work practices across the unit


Safety & EHS
  • Ensure compliance with EHS standards and promote a zero-incident safety culture.
  • Address risks proactively and lead investigations for safety incidents.
  • Partner with EHS to drive preventive actions and regulatory compliance.


Cross-functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and HR to ensure seamless and compliant operations.
  • Support new product introductions (NPI), validation activities, and process transfers.
  • Align resources to meet production and business priorities.


BD Excellence, TMS, and Continuous Improvement
  • Lead the TMS cycle and set the 24-hour direction for the Manufacturing Unit.
  • Sustain BD Excellence through Daily Tier Meetings (DTM), Clean/Inspect/Lubricate (CIL/CL) standards, and loss elimination practices.
  • Drive short- and long-term improvements aligned with SQDCP (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People) objectives.


Other Responsibilities
  • Perform additional duties as required to support the needs of the business and site operations.


Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, or related field required. Master's Degree preferred
  • 5+ years of manufacturing experience in Pharma is required.
  • Minimum 3-5 years in people leadership roles
  • Strong experience with FDA regulations, GMP compliance, and audit management
  • Proven track record in continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma preferred)
  • Flexibility to support multiple shifts and business needs
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, highly regulated manufacturing environment.


Knowledge and Skills:
  • Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical/medical device manufacturing processes
  • Experience with deviation management, CAPA, and quality systems
  • Familiar with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Workday) and production planning tools
  • Data-driven mindset with ability to analyze and act on performance metrics
  • Strategic thinking and execution
  • Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
  • Effective communication across all organizational levels
  • Change management and transformation leadership
  • Collaboration and influence across cross-functional teams


Work Environment:

On-site role in a clean, highly regulated, high-volume medical device/pharma manufacturing facility. Requires interaction with Quality, Production, EHS, Engineering, and Facilities teams.

Primary Work Location
USA TX - El Paso - Northwestern Dr.

Additional Locations

Work Shift

About Becton, Dickinson and Company

BD is a global technology company that provides diagnostics and technologies for frontliners. Through their solutions and services, they assist scientists in detecting diseases and advanced researchers' on developing diagnoses and therapeutics. BD was established in 1897 by Farleigh Dickinson and Maxwell Becton in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Careers

Join the innovative world of Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), a global medical technology company that is actively seeking driven, dedicated professionals to join our team. At BD, we are committed to advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics, and the delivery of care. This commitment provides the foundation for a workplace where you can engage in meaningful work and where job opportunities abound.

Work You’ll Do

At BD, you will be part of a culture that values diversity, leadership, and innovation. Our team members are empowered to lead and inspire from day one. Join us and contribute to our mission of advancing the world of health through your professional skills and personal passion.

Transform Your Career

BD offers a unique position in the marketplace that combines industry expertise, leadership in medical innovation, and a collaborative culture to help you grow your career. Whether you are looking for an entry-level position or a more senior role, we provide the tools and support for your professional growth through comprehensive training and development programs.

Innovative Work Environment

Our team at BD is composed of more than 65,000 associates across the globe. These dedicated professionals work at the intersection of technology and healthcare, where they drive innovation and ensure that we stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. By joining BD, you will work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry.

Internship and Employment Opportunities

Start your career with BD through our internship programs or dive straight into a full-time position. We offer a range of opportunities that allow you to explore different areas of our business and find a path that aligns with your career goals. Our hiring process is designed to be transparent and engaging, ensuring that all candidates—whether submitting a resume for an internship or a senior position—feel valued and informed.

Benefits and Culture

BD is proud to offer competitive benefits that support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families. From comprehensive health insurance to employee wellness programs and flexible working arrangements, we prioritize the well-being of our team members. Our inclusive culture encourages networking, continuous learning, and the sharing of ideas in a diverse and welcoming environment.

Join Our Team

Explore the job opportunities at BD and discover how your expertise can help shape the future of healthcare. Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players.

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Explore Careers at BD

Whether you're preparing for your first interview or looking to advance into a leadership role, BD offers career paths that foster continuous growth and innovation. Join us in our mission to improve medical outcomes and enhance patient care worldwide.

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At Becton, Dickinson and Company, we are more than just a company; we are a community that is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people all around the world.
Learn more about Becton, Dickinson and Company
Size
75,000 employees
Market Cap
$72 billion
Industry
Healthcare
Net Income
$1.6 billion
Founded
1897
5 Year Trend
+9.3%
Revenue
$18.2 billion
NASDAQ
BDX
* Ladders Estimates

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