Operations Technician

Merck; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 53,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision healthcare

Other insurance benefits (for employee

Retirement benefits (401(k))

Paid holidays

Vacation

Compassionate and sick days

Job summary

Merck’s Maurice R. Hilleman Center for Vaccine Manufacturing in Durham, NC, is seeking candidates to support production activities across all shifts. The role focuses on manufacturing materials, documentation, equipment handling, and in-process support to sustain high quality vaccines.

This position emphasizes safety, training, and teamwork within GMP-compliant operations. Ideal candidates have GMP experience, strong communication, and the ability to lift 50 lbs while adhering to shift schedules

Qualifications

• Minimum 1-year relevant work experience in GMP environment.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communications skills.
• Proficiency with GMP gowning for required classifications as needed for role.
• Must be willing and able to lift 50 lbs.
• Must be willing to work shift schedules (2-2-3) which may include working every other weekend, night shift, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Supports production activities in the manufacture of material.
• Works in conjunction with all appropriate personnel, performs manual and automated operations, general maintenance and support functions necessary for production.
• Provides and/or authors all documentation and clerical functions necessary to allow proper accountability and traceability of product.
• Maintains, inventories, and transports all required equipment, materials, supplies and products. Ensures shipment criteria and timely availability and delivery.
• Performs general maintenance and assists or ability in troubleshooting of equipment independently.
• Performs housekeeping in all work areas. Executes facility decontamination according to procedures. Maintains, cleans and prepares equipment used in production.
• Performs sampling/in-process testing supporting the manufacturing and validation process for current process.
• Provides timely delivery of sample and other materials as required to appropriate laboratories, coordinating with Quality and Logistics as required.
• Attends and actively participates in HAZOPS, waste walkthroughs, 5S, kaizen events, or any other operations, lean six-sigma, quality, safety or environmental training/initiatives as required.
• Self-motivated to maintain own training status

Skills

Accountability

Cleanroom gowning

Computer literacy

GMP

Manufacturing

Problem resolution

Production support

SOP management

Sterile manufacturing

Written communication

Education

High School Diploma/GED or higher

Tools

MES

SAP

DeltaV

Job description

Job Description

This opening is for all shifts.

Our Manufacturing Operations teams are the people that make our products. We work in the manufacturing facility with a “Safety First, Quality Always” mindset, always striving for continuous improvement. We work in the local plant connected to our global manufacturing network to ensure the highest quality of raw materials, intermediates and finished products.

The Maurice R. Hilleman Center for Vaccine Manufacturing is located in Durham, NC. This state-of-the-art facility established in 2004 manufactures our Company’s lifesaving vaccines in bulk and finished forms.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Supports production activities in the manufacture of material.
• Works in conjunction with all appropriate personnel, performs manual and automated operations, general maintenance and support functions necessary for production.
• Provides and/or authors all documentation and clerical functions necessary to allow proper accountability and traceability of product.
• Maintains, inventories, and transports all required equipment, materials, supplies and products. Ensures shipment criteria and timely availability and delivery.
• Performs general maintenance and assists or ability in troubleshooting of equipment independently.
• Performs housekeeping in all work areas. Executes facility decontamination according to procedures. Maintains, cleans and prepares equipment used in production.
• Performs sampling/in-process testing supporting the manufacturing and validation process for current process.
• Provides timely delivery of sample and other materials as required to appropriate laboratories, coordinating with Quality and Logistics as required.
• Attends and actively participates in HAZOPS, waste walkthroughs, 5S, kaizen events, or any other operations, lean six-sigma, quality, safety or environmental training/initiatives as required.
• Self-motivated to maintain own training status

Education Minimum Requirement

• High School Diploma/GED or higher

Required Experience And Skills

• Minimum 1-year relevant work experience in GMP environment
• Demonstrated written and verbal communications skills
• Proficiency with GMP gowning for required classifications as needed for role
• Must be willing and able to lift 50 lbs
• Must be willing to work shift schedules (2-2-3) which may include working every other weekend, night shift, and holidays

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Bioworks Certificate or Associates Degree in science or related field, in addition to minimum required experience and skills
• Experience training others through hands-on training
• Experience with automated systems (MES, SAP, DeltaV)
• Experience with on-the-floor cGMP manufacturing and familiarity with regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as a part of a team

Travel

0%

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this role is: $52,500 - $82,700

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.

• medical
• dental
• vision healthcare
• other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

Required Skills

• Accountability
• Cleanroom Gowning
• Computer Literacy
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Manufacturing
• Problem Resolution
• Production Support
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Management
• Sterile Manufacturing
• Written Communication

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. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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 bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

San Francisco Residents Only

We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

No relocation

Visa Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a

Job Posting End Date

11/20/2026

A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID

R425435