At Bachem, every day brings new challenges and opportunities in the world of manufacturing. To offer a behind-the-scenes perspective, we spoke with Ronja Otter, Senior Group Leader in the PMU I/II department, who has been with Bachem for five years. Ronja manages a team of chemists and oversees critical aspects of peptide production, a key area driving Bachem’s growth and innovation.

A Typical Day in Manufacturing

Ronja’s day starts early, usually between 6:30 and 7:30 AM when she cycles to Bachem’s Bubendorf site. By 9:00 AM, she’s in meetings, discussing the current status of production facilities, coordinating maintenance, and planning customer tours. After that, her day becomes a varied mix of tasks, ranging from reviewing GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and technical documents to on-site visits, team discussions, and troubleshooting.

As Ronja notes, Bachem’s growth has been especially noticeable in recent years. “Where I used to stand at the reactor myself, we now have a 24/7 shift operation run by specialized employees,” she says, highlighting the evolution of her department.

What keeps Ronja excited about her role at Bachem?

It’s the blend of innovation and teamwork. “I’m fascinated by the transition from small lab experiments to large-scale production facilities,” she shares. Being part of a collaborative and positive team also plays a big part in her daily motivation.

One of her most memorable moments at Bachem was commissioning a largely automated production system last year. “Pressing the start button after months of hard work and watching everything function perfectly was a special highlight,” Ronja recalls with a smile.

Balancing Work and Life at Bachem

Managing a high-responsibility role while maintaining a work-life harmony is important to Ronja. One way she stays energized is by taking a break for a lunchtime run with colleagues. The variety in her job and the constant new challenges keep her motivated, and admits, it’s not always easy to finish work on time.