Assoc. Tech, Operations

MSD; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 43,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

MSD in Durham, NC seeks an Associate Technician to support drug substance operations. You will assist in gowning, equipment setup, and QMS recordkeeping while maintaining safety and cleanliness in a GMP environment.

The role involves lifting, PPE use, and adherence to cGMP practices on a Monday–Friday day shift. The position requires a high school diploma, aseptic gowning qualification, and basic computer skills; preferred are science credentials and MES/SAP/DV experience.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or higher required.
• Aseptic gowning qualifications must be completed and maintained.
• Computer literacy including email and spreadsheets.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and wear PPE including respirator.
• Shift: Monday–Friday, day shift 06:00–14:30 with possible overtime.
• TB titer and Chest X-ray required.
• Occasional use of respirator for specific tasks.

Responsibilities

• Support PPQ, licensure and ramp up of facility as operations expert.
• Address compliance, safety, environmental and process deviations.
• Participate in HAZOPS, Kaizen, 5S and related activities.
• Meet production targets for assigned area; manage setup and maintenance.
• Maintain detailed records and housekeeping to high standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and Kaizen events.

Skills

Coordinate

Recordkeeping

Gowning

Equipment maintenance

Process improvements

Production scheduling

Safety procedures

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Associate degree in science

Tools

MES

SAP

DeltaV

GLIMS

Job description

Job Description

This role is within a end-to-end facility which includes the 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, 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 team as operations expert through PPQ, licensure and ramp up of facility.
• 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:

• 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
• This position will be Mon-Fri, day shift (06:00 - 14:30). Some overtime may be required as business needs dictate
• Successful completion of TB titer and Chest X-ray are required.
• This position will require the occasional use of a respirator/Power Air Purifying Respirator to complete specific tasks.

Preferred Experience and Skills (General):

• Minimum associate’s 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, GLIMS, 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 an Associate Technician supporting Drug Substance operations:

• Aseptic Behaviors
• Aseptic Techniques & Manipulations
• cRAB/Isolator Experience
• Environmental Monitoring
• Report review/approval and batch record review

#MSJR

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The salary range for this role is: $43,100 - $67,800

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.

Required Skills:

Ability to Coordinate, Ability to Coordinate, Accountability, Applied Research, Chemical Plant Operations, Cleanroom Gowning, Competency Management, Computer Literacy, Customer Communications, Equipment Maintenance, Equipment Set Up, Information Technology (IT), ITIL Framework, Material Selection, Numeracy, Process Improvements, Production Management, Production Scheduling, Protective Clothing, Quality Monitoring, Quality Reporting, Recordkeeping, Records Review, Safety Compliance, Safety Procedures {+ 5 more}

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

San Francisco Residents Only:

We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only:

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

Cleaning Supplies, seed stock

Job Posting End Date:

10/26/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.