Lead Technician - (Fermentation SME)

Merck; Upper Hutt; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Upper Hutt, New Zealand, is seeking a Lead Technician - Fermentation SME to support frontline operations in a GMP manufacturing environment. You will coach teams, drive problem-solving initiatives and ensure project delivery across production, quality and safety.

You will lead in remediation activities, contribute to site projects and provide SME input on capital projects and Process Hazard Assessments, while maintaining timely batch release and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Strong team player with excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a GMP manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated Clostridial vaccine knowledge and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in quality and EHS systems, problem solving, continuous improvement and project management.
• Prior individual leadership experience in a GMP-regulated biological or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.
• Working and thinking level in Biotechnology, Chemistry or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver technical area targets.
• Anticipate and solve complex production and operational problems.
• Challenge processes and procedures to identify quality, safety, process and cost improvements.
• Take a leading role in remediation activities and problem solving.
• Lead and coach Tier 1, On-Point and 8-Step Problem Solving activities.
• Communicate effectively to ensure alignment and collaboration across cross-functional teams.
• Coordinate and prioritise technician activities in your assigned area as needed.
• Lead projects in your area with cross-functional input.
• Support larger IPT and site projects as a representative of production.
• Contribute SME input to site projects, including capital projects and Process Hazard Assessments.
• Support site-wide safety and quality enablers relevant to your technical area.
• Provide clear visibility on system and project status to stakeholders.
• Analyse data and identify opportunities for improvement, providing practical recommendations.
• Execute make-test-release activities as needed during peak periods and as backup.
• Train and coach production staff on production tasks and related work.

Skills

GMP familiarity

Fermentation process

Team leadership

Problem solving

Data analysis

Education

BSc in Biotechnology or equivalent

Tools

Liquid Chromatography (LC)

Autoclaving

Job description

Job Description

Lead Technician - Fermentation SME

Based in Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand

Play a critical role in supporting Animal Health site operations

Join a collaborative GMP manufacturing environment focused on quality, safety and continuous improvement

Contribute to unconstrained, compliant antigen supply that meets customer needs

As an IPT Lead Technician / Area Subject Matter Expert (SME), you will support frontline team execution and take ownership of technical area performance. You will lead by example, coach others, solve complex operational problems and help drive improvements across production, quality, safety and cost.

What You Will Do

Responsibilities include, however not limited to:

Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver technical area targets
• Anticipate and solve complex production and operational problems
• Challenge processes and procedures to identify quality, safety, process and cost improvements
• Take a leading role in remediation activities and problem solving
• Lead and coach Tier 1, On-Point and 8-Step Problem Solving activities
• Communicate effective to ensure alignment and collaboration across cross-functional teams
• Coordinate and prioritise technician activities in your assigned area as needed

Projects and Continuous Improvement

• Lead projects in your assigned area with cross-functional input
• Support larger IPT and site projects as a representative of production
• Contribute SME input to site projects, including capital projects and Process Hazard Assessments
• Support site-wide safety and quality enablers relevant to your technical area
• Provide clear visibility on system and project status to stakeholders
• Analyse data and identify opportunities for improvement, providing practical recommendations

Production and Technical Execution

• Execute make-test-release activities as needed during peak periods and as backup
• Perform routine technical work outside of make-test-release protocols
• Create and optimise procedures to support make-test-release processes
• Own deviations, CAPAs, changes and Enablons within your assigned area
• Train and coach production staff on production tasks and related work
• Monitor POI and document flow to support timely batch release and process improvement

What You Must have

• Strong team player with excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a GMP manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated Clostridial vaccine knowledge and experience
• Demonstrated experience in quality and EHS systems, problem solving, continuous improvement and project management
• Prior individual leadership experience in a GMP-regulated biological or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment
• working and thinking level in Biotechnology, Chemistry or equivalent

What You Can Expect

• The opportunity to make a real impact in a critical Animal Health manufacturing environment
• A role with leadership, technical depth and continuous improvement at its core
• A collaborative team culture with opportunities to grow your expertise and influence site performance
• Joining a collaborative team of likeminded individuals
• We are proud to be a company that embraces the value
• The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another's thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive workplace.

Required Skills:

• Accountability, Accountability, Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Autoclaving, Business Decisions, Cell Culture Process Development, Customer Support, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Equipment Designing, Filtering Equipment, Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Influencing Skills, Liquid Chromatography (LC), Manufacturing Documentation, Manufacturing Quality Control, Media Preparation, Multidisciplinary Teamwork, Process Control, Product Development, Product Testing, Root Cause Identification {+ 3 more}

Employee Status: Regular