Manager, Shift Operations API (M-F Night shift)

Novo Nordisk; Clayton (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Annual bonus opportunities

Paid time off

Health, dental, vision insurance

401K with company match

Parental leave

Job summary

Novo Nordisk seeks an experienced Operations leader at its Clayton, NC API facility to drive project execution, oversee costs and schedules, and build a high-performing team. The role focuses on safety, quality, and operational improvements across production shifts, with responsibility for coaching staff and ensuring adherence to standard processes.

You will report to the Senior Manager, Operations, and contribute to Novo Nordisk’s mission to improve lives through innovative pharmaceutical

Qualifications

• Five or more years of leadership/management/supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of API processes and ability to drive process improvements.
• Lean & Six Sigma experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret complex production documentation.

Responsibilities

• Drive safe workplace culture and ensure safety/environmental requirements.
• Oversee project performance to meet business and stakeholder needs.
• Lead operational standardization and collaboration across shift teams.
• Coach and develop direct reports and manage personnel issues.

Skills

Leadership

Operations

Project management

Lean Six Sigma

Quality control

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Lean Six Sigma

API processes

Job description

About The Department

At Novo Nordisk, we are helping to improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide. For more than 100 years, we have led the way in diabetes care. Being part of Novo Nordisk allows our employees to embark on the opportunity to help improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world.

About The Department

At Novo Nordisk, we are helping to improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide. For more than 100 years, we have led the way in diabetes care. Being part of Novo Nordisk allows our employees to embark on the opportunity to help improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world. In NC, we operate three pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities that are responsible for fulfilling different steps in our injectable and oral treatment supply chains. Our newer Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) facility in Clayton, NC sits on 825,000 square-feet of state-of-the-art equipment, and houses the Fermentation, Recovery and Purification in the production of ingredients for Novo Nordisk’s innovative oral products. At API, you’ll join a global network of manufacturing professionals who are passionate about what they do.

What We Offer You

• Leading pay and annual performance bonus for all positions
• All employees enjoy generous paid time off including 14 paid holidays
• Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance - effective day one
• Guaranteed 8% 401K contribution plus individual company match option
• Family Focused Benefits including 14 weeks paid parental & 6 weeks paid family medical leave
• Free access to Novo Nordisk-marketed pharmaceutical products
• Tuition Assistance
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Employee Referral Awards

At Novo Nordisk, you will find opportunities, resources, and mentorship to help grow and build your career. Are you ready to realize your potential? Join Team Novo Nordisk and help us make what matters.

The Position

Responsible for facilitating project execution in general & project controls in particular. Lead tactical & long-term production processes & strategic activities to drive project & operational deliverables. Contribute to a positive, constructive & ambitious work environment in the department as well as on the team. Manage operational aspects of the project to include cost, quality & schedule requirements. Build & maintain the operations team. Lead activities to drive operational performance & process/technical improvements. Maintain standardization on the team. Ensure engagement, motivation & development of employees on the team.

Relationships

Reports to Senior Manager, Operations.

Essential Functions

• Drive a safe workplace culture, ensuring safety & environmental requirements are met
• Ensure robust processes are in place to exceed all quality objectives, specifications & requirements
• Drive project performance on the shift to meet business & stakeholder needs
• Eliminate issues & build simplicity into the processes
• Alignment of process activities with lead time targets
• Set direction based on site goals
• Drive process performance to meet business & customer needs
• Drive operational standardization & collaboration with other shift teams
• Operate the process in a cLEAN® way
• Manage people issues for shift team members (personnel issues, hire/fire, vacation planning, etc.)
• Coach, develop & engage direct reports, focusing on the NNWay essentials
• Integrate quality & business ethics into decisions
• Process confirm project & process standards
• Other accountabilities as assigned

Physical Requirements

Moves equipment &/or supplies weighing up to 33 pounds within the facility using various body positions. Routinely operates & inspects manufacturing equipment using hands. Strap & unstrap pallets using hands. Must be able to be on your feet for up to a 12-hour shift. May require corrected vision to 20/20 or 20/25 based on role. May require colour vision based on role. Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder. May be required to work at elevated heights. Occasionally works around odorous &/or hazardous materials. May be required to wear latex gloves. May perform critical job functions in extremely cold work environments depending on site. May position oneself within confined spaces for inspection if required of the role. Ability to work in loud noise environments with hearing protection. May be required to secure a motorized vehicle license & operate a motorized vehicle based on the role.

Development Of People

Supervisory. Ensure that reporting personnel have individual development plans (IDP), with annual goals and measurements that are consistent with the priorities of the business and that interim reviews are held so that their work is focused on those priorities, and they understand their level of accountability for results and the measurement process. Ensure that the IDP forms include completed learning and aspiration plans and are in place for all reporting personnel to enable the achievement of goals and capability to assume increased levels of responsibility. Manage the application and communication of all Novo Nordisk policies, procedures and Novo Nordisk Way.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or industry equivalent education & experience required
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership/management/supervisory experience (direct or indirect), with a preference toward pharmaceutical industries preferred
• Knowledgeable in API processes. Experience driving process improvements/design using systematic methodologies. Lean & Six Sigma strongly preferred. Strong business understanding. Ability to read, write and understand complicated product documentation and standard operating procedures with attention to detail preferred
• Proven expertise in mentoring & staff development, change management, planning & organizing, managing execution & revising work plans for complex issues addressed by cross functional teams preferred

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes - we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger - a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.