Lead Operator - Solvent Recovery Operations

Eli Lilly and Company; Lebanon (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global healthcare leader is seeking a Lead Operator for Solvent Recovery Operations in Lebanon, IN. This role involves ensuring solvent supply and managing waste for a new manufacturing facility. Candidates should have at least 3 years in chemical manufacturing and a High School Diploma. The position requires strong communication skills and the ability to work in tight spaces. Competitive salary and benefits are offered, along with opportunities for career development.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits program

401(k) with company match

Flexible schedule during startup

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of previous experience in utility/tank farm/solvent recovery/distillation operations or chemical manufacturing.
• Legally authorized to be employed in the United States.
• Ability to bend, reach, stretch, climb ladders, and work in tight spaces.

Responsibilities

• Ensure operations maintains compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Carry out daily monitoring, testing, and cleaning duties.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose process problems.

Skills

Effective communication

Basic computer skills

Understanding of Health, Safety & Environmental standards

Ability to work in tight spaces

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Overview

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our 35,000 employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

Organization Overview: Lilly is currently constructing an advanced manufacturing facility for production of API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) molecules located in Lebanon, IN. This facility is Lilly’s largest investment in manufacturing capacity and is intended to provide APIs for current and future products, including new modalities. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the startup team for a greenfield manufacturing site, and the successful candidate will help to build the processes and facility to enable a successful startup into GMP manufacturing operations.

Position Brand Description: The Lead Operator for Solvent Recovery Operations is directly responsible for ensuring that the supply of solvents and management of waste is provided without interruption of service to support the needs of the facility. The Lead Operator for Solvent Recovery Operations will be responsible for solvent recovery operations, air emissions systems, and associated supply and waste tanks. The role is responsible for the direct execution of operations (per SOPs and operational execution instructions) in order to safely and compliantly support the manufacturing of high-quality medicine.

In the project delivery phase and startup phase of the project (startup expected 2026 to 2028), roles will be fluid and dynamic as we endeavor to support the project delivery, build a new organization, develop and implement the necessary systems and business processes required to support GMP operations, and build the site culture. This will require significant collaboration, creativity and resilience as the site grows to a full scale GMP manufacturing through start up.

Responsibilities

• Ensure operations maintains compliance with all regulatory requirements at all times.

• Ensure areas appropriately support the execution of the production plan for the site.

• Solvent Recovery Units, Cryogenic Units

• Carry out daily monitoring testing and cleaning duties as assigned on the above listed systems to ensure equipment and systems are in good operating conditions and they are maintained in accordance with local and corporate regulatory requirements.

• Enter Trackwise/Veeva events, participate in and lead CAPA investigations

• Troubleshoot and diagnose process problems and take appropriate actions to minimize deviations or site impact

• Understand Health, Safety & Environmental-regulated environment and application of Health & Safety/Process Safety standards in order to execute key/critical GMP duties.

• Understand other area processes & their operational hazards and being able to react appropriately.

• Monitoring and collecting data on equipment use and performance i.e. trying to anticipate potential equipment reliability problems.

• Working with Maintenance and Technical Support to respond appropriately to potential utility supply upsets or equipment failure.

• Contacting the appropriate help if there is a problem or an event (spill/deviation/incident) during processing.

• Communication to other shifts regarding the status of the area operations and details of any issues/problems that have occurred at handover.

• Participate in daily shift huddles / meetings to both understand and set expectations for daily operational goals.

• Actively participating in assigned building & area operations such as safety audits, procedure co-ordination, housekeeping and improvement projects.

• Be trained and qualified on all specified unit operations within the area. Support training and qualification for operators in the area.

• Identify concerns for informal or formal discussion (crew meetings, safety representative).

• Know and follow cGMP practices, safe work habits, plant dress code, hygiene standards, and housekeeping requirements unique to the work area and job classification.

Basic Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent

• Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States. Lilly does not anticipate providing sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B or TN status) for this employment position.

• Completion of Post Offer Exam or Completion of Work Simulation if applicable.

• Minimum 3 years of previous experience in utility/tank farm/solvent recovery/distillation operations or chemical manufacturing

• Ability to effectively communicate (electronically, written and verbal).

• Basic computer skills (desktop software) are required.

• Bend, reach, stretch, climb ladders, and work in tight spaces.

• Stand for long periods.

Additional Preferences

• Previous experience in facility/area start-up environments

• Ability to assume leadership and prioritize daily priorities without direct supervision

• Solid understanding of FDA guidelines and cGMP requirements.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to handle and prioritize multiple requests.

• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles

• Emergency Response Experience Industrial, military, volunteer, career firefighter

• Indiana State or IFSAC Certification – Fire 1, Hazmat Technician

Additional Information

• Ability to work 12-hour rotating shifts (days and nights)

• Ability to work flexible schedules during startup period

• Ability to work overtime as required

• Depending on the candidate’s experience, the position may require a short-term assignment of 1-3 months domestically or internationally to train and be certified on existing processes and establish global contacts. There may also be a requirement for short (less than 1 month) travel to support equipment testing at the manufacturer’s factory.

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form at https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.

Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups.

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $33.89 - $49.71. Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities). Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

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