Operations Technician

Job Description

This role is within a capital project start-up in Durham, North Carolina. The new facility will include end-to-end processing of drug substance, drug product, including biotech culture growth, harvest, lyophilization, product inspection, utilities, and warehouse.

Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity, and teamwork of people like you.  To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement, and teamwork.  As part of our global team, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to;

Project Support

• Supports project team as operations expert through start-up, commissioning, qualification through licensure and ramp up of facility.

• Author, review, and/or edit operations and technical documentation (Batch Records, SOPs, Job Aides, training, and engineering documents) to support project and future operations.

• Identifies and addresses compliance, environmental, safety, and process deviations as appropriate while coordinating with appropriate personnel.

• Actively participate in team meetings HAZOPS, waste walkthroughs, 5S, kaizen events, or any other operations, lean six-sigma, quality, safety or environmental training/initiatives as required.

Operational Expertise

• Competent execution and ownership to meet production targets for area within responsibility including:

  • Attending and escalation of concerns or needs at daily huddles and as needed.

  • Cleaning, setup, operation and troubleshooting of equipment and facilities.

  • Maintenance and transportation of consumable and material inventories

  • Maintenance of excellent recordkeeping and housekeeping

• Drives culture of continuous improvement. Implements and raises ideas to increase success of group.

• Participates on and/or performs activities to support technical and OPEX functions such as Kaizen events, ad-hoc sampling, or protocol execution.

• Maintains detailed knowledge of equipment and processes.

• Identifies and addresses compliance, environmental, safety, and process deviations as appropriate while notifying appropriate personnel.

Education Minimum Requirement:

• High School Diploma/GED or higher

Required Experience and Skills:

• At least one (1) year GMP manufacturing/processing experience

• Demonstrated written and verbal communications skills.

• Must be able to successfully pass and maintain aseptic gowning qualifications. Aseptic gowning requires that all skin and hair be covered through wearing the following: beard/mustache cover, hair net, hood and facemask, goggles, jumpsuit, gloves, and boots.

• Computer literacy (internet browsers, e-mail, spreadsheets, word processing)

• Must be willing and able to lift 50 lbs, bend, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb ladders, and wear a respirator.

• The position is currently Mon-Fri 8:00-4:30, transitioning to 2nd Shift 2Q 2024.

• Successful completion of TB titer and Chest X-ray are required.  

Preferred Experience and Skills (General):

• Minimum Associates Degree in science or related field

• BioWork Certificate (working in an FDA or similar regulated industry)

• Applicable mechanical and project management experience

• Experience with automated systems (MES, SAP, DeltaV, or similar)

• Experience with on-the-floor cGMP manufacturing and familiarity with regulatory requirements and Good Documentation Practices (GDP)

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a part of a team.

The following experience is a significant advantage for a Technician supporting Drug Substance operations:

• Aseptic Behaviors

• Aseptic Techniques & Manipulations

• cRAB/Isolator Experience

• Environmental Monitoring

NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS

In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.

If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor. MSJR VETJOBS TechnicianDurham #EBRG

Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders (for example, a requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to access a facility or meet with stakeholders).  Please understand that, as permitted by applicable law, if you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and an essential function of your job is to call on external stakeholders who require vaccination to enter their premises or engage in face-to-face meetings, then your employment may pose an undue burden to business operations, in which case you may not be offered employment, or your employment could be terminated. Please also note that, where permitted by applicable law, the Company reserves the right to require COVID-19 vaccinations for positions, such as in Global Employee Health, where the Company determines in its discretion that the nature of the role presents an increased risk of disease transmission.

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We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, generally Tuesday, Wednesday and either Monday or Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.  This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

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Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):