Manufacturing Technician I - Live Frozen

CEVA SANTE ANIMALE; Lenexa (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Ceva Santé Animale is seeking a Lab Technician I, Live Frozen to support manufacturing of live viral products. You will batch, fill aseptically, freeze, label, and document production while maintaining cGMP and safety standards.

The role requires operating fill equipment, preparing batches, and ensuring materials are QA released. Strong documentation, teamwork, and adherence to schedules are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Education in Life Sciences or related field is preferred.
• Experience in a cGMP environment is desirable.
• Lean Manufacturing experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare production batches following batch records, SOPs, and cGMP requirements.
• Operate filling equipment for aseptic filling of live viral products.
• Set up, operate, monitor, and changeover filling equipment.
• Verify batch calculations and production parameters.
• Maintain inventory records and ensure QA-released materials are available.

Skills

Aseptic techniques

Good Documentation Practices

Attention to detail

Time management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Associate/Bachelor’s degree in Life Science

Tools

Filling equipment

Autoclaves

Liquid nitrogen handling

JDE / ERP inventory system

Job description

Job Summary & Purpose

The Lab Technician I, Live Frozen is responsible for manufacturing live viral products through batching, aseptic filling, freezing, labeling, and production support activities. This position operates filling equipment, prepares production batches, maintains raw materials and inventories, performs equipment preparation and sterilization, supports final product processing, and completes production documentation while ensuring compliance with cGMP requirements, SOPs, safety standards, and production schedules.

The Lab Technician serves as a cross‑functional manufacturing technician supporting all Live Frozen production operations, ensuring products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities and Key Duties

Manufacturing Operations

• Prepare production batches following approved batch records, SOPs, and cGMP requirements.
• Operate manual and semi‑automated filling equipment for aseptic filling of live viral products.
• Set up, operate, monitor, and perform changeovers on filling equipment.
• Verify batch calculations, component additions, and production parameters.
• Monitor fill weights, volumes, and process performance throughout manufacturing.
• Assist with troubleshooting minor equipment and process issues.
• Transfer intermediate and finished products between manufacturing operations.
• Maintain communication with production teams to support manufacturing schedules.

Documentation and Inventory Control

• Follow all documentation standards, including clear, accurate, and concurrent documentation practices.
• Complete, verify, organize, and submit production records, batch records, logs, and associated paperwork.
• Print and distribute current production records as needed.
• Perform cycle counts and inventory reconciliation.
• Record receipts, transfers, and inventory transactions within JDE.
• Maintain Kanban inventory systems and First‑In‑First‑Out (FIFO) inventory practices.
• Order raw materials and production supplies through vendor‑managed inventory systems.
• Ensure QA‑released materials are available prior to entering production areas.

Equipment Preparation and Sterilization

• Set up, clean, assemble, disassemble, and prepare manufacturing equipment for production.
• Clean laboratory dishware and production equipment.
• Wrap equipment and laboratory supplies for sterilization.
• Operate autoclaves for sterilization of laboratory equipment and supplies.
• Load and unload autoclaves while completing required documentation.Troubleshoot minor autoclave issues when necessary.
• Maintain organized workstations during preparation and sterilization activities.

Final Product Processing

• Monitor liquid nitrogen storage tanks, portable dewars, and associated equipment.
• Record nitrogen temperatures and liquid levels.
• Perform visual inspection of final product ampoules.
• Prepare ampoules for freezing and maintain associated inventory records.
• Operate programmable control rate freezers according to approved procedures.
• Prepare labels according to production schedules.
• Operate labeling equipment for approved final product ampoules.
• Operate dry heat ovens used for sterilization of finished ampoules.
• Complete all production records associated with freezing and labeling operations.
• Maintain line clearance procedures by processing one serial at a time.

Cleaning and Facility Maintenance

• Clean and disinfect manufacturing equipment, production rooms, support areas, kitchens, coolers, freezers, and workstations according to established procedures.
• Prepare cleaning and disinfectant solutions while maintaining associated logs.
• Remove waste, biohazard materials, dirty laboratory garments, and hazardous waste according to approved procedures.
• Complete temperature monitoring logs for manufacturing support areas.
• Maintain safe, clean, and organized work environments before, during, and after manufacturing activities.

General Responsibilities

• Utilize appropriate PPE and comply with all company safety requirements.
• Maintain effective communication and working relationships across departments.
• Support changing production priorities and schedules.
• Assist other manufacturing areas as business needs require.
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Solutions out of Complexity – Continuously seeks opportunities to improve manufacturing processes and operational efficiency.
• Client Focus – Demonstrates commitment to meeting production and customer requirements.
• Collaborate with Empathy – Works effectively across departments while promoting teamwork.
• Engage and Develop – Shares knowledge and supports continuous learning.
• Drive Ambition, Accountability, and Safety – Demonstrates ownership, accuracy, and commitment to safety and quality.
• Influence Others – Communicates clearly and professionally while supporting team objectives.

Technical / Functional Competencies

• Understanding of aseptic manufacturing techniques and cleanroom behavior.
• Ability to operate filling machines, freezers, autoclaves, and production support equipment.
• Knowledge of cGMP manufacturing requirements and Good Documentation Practices.
• Understanding of OSHA, USDA, and company safety requirements.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot minor equipment issues.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a cross‑functional manufacturing team.
• Ability to become gown qualified.
• Flexibility to work outside normal schedules, including weekends and holidays, as business needs require.

Qualifications

• Education – Associate/Bachelor’s degree in Life Science preferred but not required.
• Work Experience – Experience in a cGMP environment is preferred.
• Knowledge of cGMP and CGLP procedures is desirable.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing is preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to read, write legibly and understand English.
• Color vision, frequent fine motor movements of the hands and wrist, periods of short‑term balancing, bending, stooping, squatting, twisting and reaching below knees to above shoulders.
• Ability to stand and walk >90% of work day.
• Ability to push/pull 50 lbs, up to 120 lbs occasionally.
• Ability to lift up to 35 lbs overhead, up to 50 lbs overhead occasionally.
• Ability to carry up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to get up from seated on the floor to standing without assistance.
• Ability to dress and operate in clean room environments.

Working Conditions

• Cleanroom manufacturing laboratories and production support areas.
• Exposure to varying temperatures, liquid nitrogen, biological materials, manufacturing equipment, and cleaning chemicals while following established safety procedures.

Travel

None.

Equal Opportunity Statement

• VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
• Ceva is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Ceva encourages men and women, members of all racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.