Inspection/Packaging Line Leader

Job Description

You will coordinate inspection and packaging operations for sterile pharmaceutical products and provide appropriate technical support to inspection and packaging teams to sustain and improve these processes. You will ensure flawless execution throughout each assigned packaging campaign, focusing on the fundamentals of safety, quality, supply, and cost. This includes maintaining line clearance, inspection and packaging procedures, defect detection, and AQL sampling in compliance with cGMP and FDA requirements. Cost Improvement Projects (CIP) development will also be a key part of your role.

As a Team Leader, you will lead the inspection and packaging work teams within your division, including the people, technical, and financial resources of the team. Thanks to your technical skills, you will coach your reports on day-to-day inspection and packaging activities, such as visual inspection, defect classification, inspector qualification, and documentation practices. You will be relied on to solve complex problems within your area of expertise and support deviations, investigations, and process improvements on the packaging line.

It is your hard work and focus on inspection and packaging excellence that will make Pfizer ready to achieve new milestones and help deliver safe, high-quality products to patients across the globe.

How You Will Achieve It

• Manage multiple projects and ongoing work activities within a team.
• Monitor and manage the efforts of subordinate colleagues to achieve delivery of
  short-term goals.
• Schedule staffing to meet customer needs and schedule attainment, within budget guidelines.
• Facilitate regulatory and customer audit tours and complete operational quality, environmental, and safety incident investigations.
• Responsible for providing audit responses and implementing corrective actions in accordance with due dates.
• Sponsors monthly unit meetings and helps champion unit Zero Defects initiatives including Quality, Environment, Health & Safety Supply and cost.
• Represent the organization in providing solutions to difficult issues associated with specific problems.
• Have responsibility for the co-ordination, planning and execution of all Process Changeovers in your assigned multi-product manufacturing facility with the highest safety and quality standards.
• Operate within established HR policies and guidelines.
• Engage in colleague development, including timely performance feedback and appraisal.
• Use functional knowledge and Pfizer-specific principles, theories, concepts and practices to improve operations.

Here's What You Need (Minimum Requirements)

• Applicant must have a bachelor's degree with at least 2 years of experience; OR a master's degree with 0+ years of experience;
  OR an associate's degree with 6 years of experience; OR a high school diploma (or equivalent) and 8 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated ability to manage and plan budgets
• Demonstrated ability to deliver improvements to site performance with the use of Lean and Six Sigma tools
• Strong technical, analytical and problem solving skills
• Demonstrated problem solving and business decision making
• Contact with outside organizations and customers. Strong people management experience
• Excellent people and communication skills to provide guidance and support to their teams which enables their teams to grow and develop
• Computer Skills, such as Microsoft Applications, willingness to learn and utilize System Application and Products Quality Tracking Systems

Bonus Points If You Have (Preferred Requirements)

• Relevant pharmaceutical industry experience
• Previous experience in a Good Manufacturing Practices {also cGMP} manufacturing environment
• Familiarity and experience with mammalian cell culture, protein purification and/or solution formulation

Physical and Mental Requirements

This role is based on a controlled manufacturing environment and combines hands-on floor presence with detailed, compliance-driven work. The requirements below are typical for a Packaging and Inspection Team Leader.

• Stand and walk for extended periods (typically most of a shift) while supervising packaging lines, inspection stations, and the warehouse.
• Lift, carry, push, or pull items up to about 40–50 lbs (cases, totes, materials), with proper ergonomics and use of lifting aids for heavier loads.
• Perform repetitive hand and arm movements, and bend, reach, stoop, or squat when supporting line setup, changeovers, and line clearance.
• Have good near and far visual acuity, color discrimination, and depth perception (corrected vision is acceptable) to support visual inspection and defect detection, often under controlled lighting and against white or black backgrounds.
• Have the manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to handle small components such as vials, syringes, and needle packs without compromising product integrity.
• Wear required cleanroom or controlled-area gowning, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, and other PPE for extended periods.
• Work in environments with temperature, noise, and lighting conditions typical of pharmaceutical packaging and warehouse operations, including cold storage areas where applicable.
• Be able to work overtime, weekends, or alternate shifts based on production needs.
• Sustain focus and attention to detail during repetitive inspection and documentation tasks, where small defects or errors can affect product quality and patient safety.
• Apply sound judgment and analytical problem-solving to deviations, investigations, root cause analysis, and defect trending.
• Understand and consistently follow cGMP, FDA requirements, SOPs, and batch record documentation practices (good documentation practices).
• Prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment, including campaign schedules, line clearance, changeovers, and shift handoffs.
• Make timely decisions under pressure, such as stopping a line, escalating quality concerns, or adjusting resources to meet supply targets.
• Communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, with operators, quality, engineering, and site leadership.
• Lead, coach, and develop team members, including inspector qualification and training, while maintaining a fair and constructive team environment.
• Use basic data and statistical concepts (such as AQL sampling and defect limits) and be proficient with systems such as MS Office and electronic quality or manufacturing systems.
• Remain adaptable to change, including new procedures, technologies, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Non-Standard Work Schedule, Travel, or Environment Requirements

Penicillin Facility and Union Workforce Considerations

This role operates in a penicillin (beta-lactam) manufacturing facility with a unionized workforce. The Team Leader must protect product quality and employee safety through strict containment and cross-contamination controls and must lead the inspection and packaging teams in line with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and site labor relations practices.

• Maintain strict cross-contamination and containment controls. Penicillin and other beta-lactams must be kept separate from non-penicillin products, including dedicated areas, air handling, equipment, and controlled material and personnel flow, in line with cGMP and FDA expectations.
• Recognize the health risk. Penicillin exposure can cause serious allergic (sensitization) reactions, so employees must follow gowning, PPE, hygiene, and gown/uniform change and decontamination procedures without exception.
• Support occupational health programs, such as medical screening and surveillance, exposure monitoring, and reporting of any suspected exposure or allergic symptoms.
• Enforce line clearance, material segregation, and cleaning and changeover procedures to prevent mix-ups and carryover between lots and campaigns.
• Ensure inspection and packaging activities, including defect detection, labeling, and AQL sampling, are done in the designated controlled areas, with accurate and contemporaneous documentation.
• Raise and investigate any containment breach, deviation, or safety event immediately, and drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to closure.
• Know and apply the CBA consistently, including job classifications, seniority, shift bidding, overtime distribution, breaks, and work assignment rules, and avoid assigning work outside defined classifications.
• Handle performance and attendance issues fairly, consistently, and with documented facts, following progressive discipline and the grievance process, with HR and Labor Relations support.
• Build respectful, open working relationships with union stewards and representatives, and address concerns early to prevent grievances.
• Communicate schedule, staffing, and production changes clearly and in advance, with the notice and consultation the CBA requires.
• Coach and develop employees, including inspector qualification and training, with fair, transparent criteria and accurate training records.
• Balance supply and quality targets with workforce safety, morale, and engagement, and escalate labor relations matters to site leadership and HR when needed.

Other Job Details:

• Relocation support available
• Work Location Assignment: On Premise
• Last day to apply: November 20th, 2026
  

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $82,700.00 to $137,900.00. In addition, this position is eligible for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 10.0% of the base salary. We offer comprehensive and generous benefits and programs to help our colleagues lead healthy lives and to support each of life’s moments. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with Pfizer Matching Contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, paid caregiver/parental and medical leave, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Learn more at Pfizer Candidate Site – U.S. Benefits | (uscandidates.mypfizerbenefits.com). Pfizer compensation structures and benefit packages are aligned based on the location of hire. The United States salary range provided does not apply to Tampa, FL or any location outside of the United States.

Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

Candidates must be authorized to be employed in the U.S. by any employer.

U.S. work visa sponsorship (such as TN, O-1, H-1B, etc.) is not available for this role now or in the future.

To learn more about acceptable and prohibited uses of AI during the recruitment process, please review our candidate AI-use guidelines available on Pfizer Careers.

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