Operations Area Specialist

BioSpace; Clayton (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Generous PTO and holidays

Health, dental, vision coverage from 1

401K + company match

Parental & family leave

Job summary

Novo Nordisk in Clayton, NC, seeks a shift production leader to drive daily operations across aseptic production, finished assembly and packaging. You will coach operators, coordinate schedules with work cells, and ensure adherence to safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

The role emphasizes process improvement and cross-shift collaboration to maintain efficient manufacturing cycles. The position requires a results-oriented professional with Lean Six Sigma experience and strong

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree required; alternative with four years manufacturing exp (pharma preferred).

Responsibilities

• Acts as process advocate; coordinates daily schedule with Work Cell Leaders and support groups to optimize area performance (Aseptic Production, Finished Production Assembly, Packaging).
• Supervises and mentors operators on technique, behavior, and mindset; tracks events and actions.
• Ensures operators understand and follow processes; verifies solutions are shared across shifts.
• Executes process confirmations and drives quality/compliance improvements across shift teams.
• Resolves issues with systems like e-time, PRISM, and SAP; implements process improvements.
• Monitors safety and environmental requirements; manages development planning for operators.
• Adheres to safety/environmental duties and works in a high-performing team.

Skills

Lean Six Sigma

Training & coaching

Effective communication

Adult learning methodologies

Process improvement

Problem solving

Education

Associate’s degree

High School Diploma w/ 4 yrs pharma manufacturing exp

Tools

SAP

novoLIMS

MS Word

Outlook

Excel

PowerPoint

Access

Job description

About The Department

At Novo Nordisk, we want to make a difference. 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 Product Supply Aseptic Manufacturing (PS AM) facility in Clayton, NC is a 457,000 square foot aseptic "fill and finish" site that is responsible for producing innovative, injectable diabetes and obesity treatments. At PS AM, 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

The Position

• Serves as key member of shift production leadership team, to include providing operations support & coaching.

Relationships

Reports to Shift Manager.

Essential Functions

• Acts as a process advocate, coordinating daily schedule with Work Cell Leaders & support groups, removing barriers & enabling processes to run optimally based on assigned area of responsibility (Aseptic Production, Finished Production Assembly, Finished Production Packaging)
• Serves as coach & mentor for team members related to technique, behavior & mindset by:Visualizing/tracking events & actions
• Confirming that operators understand & follow processes
• Verifying that solutions work & are shared across shifts
• Executes process confirmation of operations standards used on shift & work with process teams to proactively improve quality & compliance
• Resolves/elevates issues related to systems such as e-time, PRISM & SAP
• Implements process improvements
• Observes & enforces all safety & environmental requirements
• Manages development planning process for operators on shift
• Follow all safety & environmental requirements in the performance of duties

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. Ability to be on feet for up to a 12-hour shift. May required 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 gloves. Occasionally performs critical job functions in extremely cold work environment. Occasionally positions oneself within confined spaces for inspection, repair & maintenance of equipment. 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.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree from an accredited university required
• May consider a High School Diploma or equivalent with a minimum of four (4) years of manufacturing experience, preferably in a pharmaceutical environment. If position is for Aseptic Production, two of the four years must be aseptic processing experience
• Minimum of two (2) years of manufacturing experience required, preferably in a pharmaceutical environment. If position is for Aseptic Production, both years must be aseptic processing experience
• Experience using Lean/Six Sigma methodologies & achieving sustainable process improvements a plus
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly in writing & in presentations preferred
• Demonstrates knowledge of adult learning methodologies & is able to use multiple methods to train & coach others preferred
• Computer expertise in the following applications: MS Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, SAP & novoLIMS preferred
• Experience planning, organizing, managing execution, checking results & revising work plans 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.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.