Client: A Biotech Company
Industry: Life Sciences / Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Size: 150–200 employees
Engagement Type: Full-service contract staffing partnership
Partner: Assurea
Background
A rapidly growing biotech company specializing in cell and gene therapy recently secured Series C funding to expand its manufacturing capacity. The organization planned to establish a new biomanufacturing site in New Jersey, aimed at scaling production of its lead oncology therapy from clinical to commercial stages.
As a small company with a lean HR function and tight go-to-market timelines, they needed a staffing partner who could deliver specialized life science talent quickly to support the site expansion — covering multiple functions from manufacturing and quality to facilities and supply chain.
That’s where Assurea came in.
Challenge
The site expansion required over 25 contract and contract-to-hire positions to be filled within three months, including:
- Process Development Scientists
- QC Analysts (Microbiology & Bioassay)
- CQV (Commissioning, Qualification & Validation) Engineers
- Quality Assurance Specialists
- Supply Chain Coordinators
- Facilities Coordinators
The biotech company faced several key challenges:
- Limited internal recruiting bandwidth — only one HR generalist.
- Competitive local market for biomanufacturing talent.
- Highly technical role requirements — positions demanded specialized knowledge of biomanufacturing processes, validation protocols, and quality systems. The company needed a partner who could understand not just the titles, but the specific technical competencies required for GMP success.
- Urgent project milestones tied to investor commitments.
They needed a partner who could own the staffing process end-to-end — sourcing, screening, onboarding, and overseeing administrative tasks for contractors — without compromising speed or quality.
Staffing Scope and Role Types
The engagement included a mix of contract and contract-to-hire positions across core functions critical to the site’s expansion and operational launch. This structure gave the biotech company the flexibility to scale quickly while retaining high-performing talent as the facility moved into full operations.
| Function | Example Roles | Hiring Type | Notes |
| Process Development / Manufacturing | Manufacturing Technicians, Process Engineers | Contract-to-Hire | Supported ramp-up and converted as production stabilized |
| Quality Control (QC) | QC Analysts (Microbiology & Bioassay) | Contract | Filled urgent testing and validation needs |
| CQV / Engineering | CQV Engineers, Equipment Qualification Specialists | Contract | Time-bound project roles during commissioning and validation |
| Quality Assurance (QA) | QA Specialists, QA Documentation Associates | Contract-to-Hire | Supported site readiness and ongoing QA operations |
| Supply Chain | Supply Chain Coordinators | Contract-to-Hire | Provided operational support; transitioned as systems matured |
| Facilities | Facilities Coordinators | Contract | Supported initial site build and operational startup |
Assurea’s Methodology
For this site expansion project, Assurea applied its structured staffing methodology, developed specifically for the life sciences sector. The process ensured talent delivery that was fast, compliant, and aligned with GMP standards throughout the expansion.
The methodology focused on:
- Planning: Defining headcount requirements, role profiles, and hiring timelines in collaboration with the client’s leadership team.
- Sourcing: Leveraging deep life science networks, market data, and existing candidate pipelines to attract qualified professionals across multiple disciplines.Assurea’s recruiters possess strong technical fluency in biomanufacturing and quality operations, enabling precise screening of candidates for skills such as CQV documentation, assay validation, GMP batch record review, and deviation management.
- Execution: Managing end-to-end staffing and onboarding for all contingent roles, with all contractors employed under Assurea to ensure full regulatory and payroll compliance.
- Optimization: Providing ongoing feedback and conversion tracking to support workforce continuity and identify strong performers for full-time placement.
This structured model enabled the biotech company to scale its workforce efficiently, maintain compliance, and accelerate readiness for GMP operations.
Results
- 25 contract and contract-to-hire hires completed in under three months.
- Average time-to-fill: 12 days.
- 80% contractor conversion rate to full-time within 12 months for the predetermined “contract-to-hire” roles.
- The biotech company’s new facility became fully operational on schedule, supporting Phase 3 production.
Client Feedback
“Assurea became an extension of our team. Their understanding of life sciences staffing — especially the technical nuances — made the difference. We wouldn’t have hit our expansion goals without them.”
— Director of Operations, Biotech Company
Impact
This partnership demonstrated how Assurea enables small-to-mid-size pharma and biotech companies to accelerate site expansions confidently by managing their entire contract staffing lifecycle. Through domain expertise, structured methodology, and speed, Assurea helps clients focus on science and growth, while it handles the people side.