Manufacturing Associate (1st/2nd Split Shift)

Location: Chicago, IL 60616 — Near White Sox Stadium
Address: 3440 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60616

Pay

$26–$30/hour, based on experience

Schedule

Rotating Split Shift

• 1st Shift: 6:00 AM–2:30 PM
• 2nd Shift: 2:00 PM–10:30 PM

Schedule rotates every 2 weeks

About the role

Our client is seeking a Manufacturing Associate to support the manufacturing of biotechnology products for clinical and commercial use. This role will work within a cGMP manufacturing environment and perform both upstream and downstream manufacturing activities, with a strong emphasis on downstream processing. The ideal candidate will have 1–5 years of biotechnology manufacturing experience, preferably within a pharmaceutical or biotech environment. Candidates with strong technical foundations and transferable manufacturing experience from other industries may also be considered. This is a hands-on manufacturing role—not an R&D or benchtop laboratory position—and involves working with large-scale equipment and processes.

Responsibilities

• Follow work instructions, production specifications, and SOPs to complete manufacturing activities safely, accurately, and efficiently.
• Perform weighing and dispensing of raw materials.
• Prepare media and buffers.
• Set up and operate filtration systems, including dead-end, depth, and tangential flow filtration (TFF).
• Support upstream processes including inoculation, fermentation, harvest, and homogenization.
• Set up and operate chromatography columns and skids.
• Perform aseptic final filtration of intermediates and drug substances.
• Operate and monitor manufacturing equipment using PLC controls and HMI interfaces.
• Perform in-process testing, including pH, conductivity, spectroscopy, and filter integrity testing.
• Monitor manufacturing processes and product quality while maintaining production timelines.
• Troubleshoot equipment and manufacturing process issues and escalate concerns as appropriate.
• Complete batch records and other required cGMP documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
• Perform documentation reviews for completeness and accuracy.
• Verify raw materials and commodities and maintain accurate inventory records in MES.
• Perform routine inventory counts and adjustments.
• Report nonconformances, deviations, and other manufacturing events to supervisors and assist with investigations as needed.
• Communicate processing and sampling timelines with supporting departments and stakeholders.
• Participate in shift handoffs to ensure smooth transitions and uninterrupted operations.
• Follow cleanroom gowning and aseptic practices while working in controlled and classified environments.
• Perform routine cleaning and sanitization of manufacturing areas and equipment.
• Properly handle and dispose of chemicals, buffers, and other hazardous materials in accordance with EHS requirements.
• Assist with technology transfer from Process Development into cGMP manufacturing.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce waste, and minimize downtime.
• Train and support other employees and help delegate tasks when appropriate.
• Follow all company, safety, quality, and FDA cGMP requirements.

Requirements

• 1–5 years of hands-on biotechnology manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience in upstream and/or downstream processing.
• Experience with biotech/pharmaceutical manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Candidates from other industries may be considered if they have a strong technical foundation and transferable manufacturing experience.
• R&D/benchtop laboratory experience alone is not a fit for this position.
• Associate degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, or a related scientific field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and 2–4 years of relevant industry experience may be considered.
• Previous aseptic processing and cleanroom manufacturing experience preferred.
• Ability to work with large-scale manufacturing equipment and systems.

Skills

Experience with some of the following is highly desirable:

• 250L bioreactors
• Fermentation and inoculation
• Harvest and homogenization
• Chromatography columns and skids
• Tangential flow filtration (TFF)
• Depth and dead-end filtration
• Aseptic filtration and sampling
• Filter integrity testing
• Media and buffer preparation
• Mixing systems
• Weighing and dispensing
• pH, conductivity, and spectroscopy testing
• PLC/HMI systems
• MES/LIMS/SAP or similar manufacturing systems
• cGMP documentation and batch records

About the ideal candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on biotech manufacturing professional who is comfortable working with large-scale equipment and following detailed cGMP procedures. Candidates should be comfortable working in a cleanroom environment, troubleshooting manufacturing processes, documenting their work accurately, and collaborating across shifts and departments. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with 1–5 years of upstream/downstream biotech manufacturing experience who is looking to continue building their career in a cGMP production environment.

Position Type: 5 month Contract-to-Hire