Associate Technician Operations

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Healthcare benefits

Job summary

Merck in Durham, NC seeks an Associate Technician for a capital project startup. You will support PPQ through licensure, help ramp the facility, and address deviations while coordinating with peers. The role emphasizes operations excellence, safety, and regulatory compliance.

You will work in a dynamic team, participate in Kaizen events, and ensure accurate recordkeeping, with opportunities to contribute to continuous improvement and career growth.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED or higher is required.
• Associate degree in science is a plus.
• Demonstrated GMP manufacturing experience or life sciences/engineering degree qualifies you for the role.

Responsibilities

• Supports project team as operations expert in PPQ through licensure and ramp up of facility.
• Identifies and addresses compliance, environmental, safety, and process deviations and coordinates.
• Participate in team meetings, waste walkthroughs, 5S, kaizen events, and other training/initiatives.
• Maintain detailed knowledge of equipment and processes and support continuous improvement.

Skills

GMP manufacturing

Written communication

Aseptic gowning

Computer literacy

Lifting 50 lbs

Second shift

TB & Chest X-ray

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Associates Degree in science

Tools

MES

SAP

DeltaV

Job description

Job Description

Our Manufacturing Operations teams are the people that make therapies for our patients. We work in the manufacturing plants with a “Safety First, Quality Always” mindset, striving for continuous improvement, and earn our right to produce. We work in local plants connected to our global manufacturing network supplying the highest quality of raw materials, intermediates, and finished products.

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.

As the team transitions from PPQ to commercial manufacturing the Associate Technician will play a critical role in, partnering with internal stakeholders and building the operations team. Members of the Operations team in this new and exciting facility will have the unique opportunity to give input in the design process, startup their areas, and lead the teams to full production.

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 project team as operations expert in PPQ through 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, 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 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 two (1) years of GMP manufacturing/processing experience, or a Bachelor’s degree in Life Science or Engineering
• 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 is for second shift, Mon-Fri (2:00pm-10:30pm).
• Successful completion of TB titer and Chest X-ray are required.

Preferred Experience And Skills (General)

• Minimum Associates Degree in science or related field
• Bioworks 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

Associate Technician supporting PSM operations

• Aseptic Behaviors
• Aseptic Techniques & Manipulations
• Pipetting

#MSJR

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, Competency Management, Computer Literacy, Customer Communications, Environmental Controls, Equipment Installations, Equipment Set Up, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Information Technology (IT), Inventory Maintenance, Manufacturing Operations, Operations Management, Operations Support, Pharmaceutical Production, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Production Management, Production Scheduling, Protective Clothing, Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ), Safety Compliance, Safety Procedures, Shift Work, TB Screening, Technical Project Management {+ 3 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.

Requirements

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of