Senior Associate Manufacturing - Bulk Drug Substance Upstream - Days

Amgen; Holly Springs (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Amgen North Carolina is seeking a Senior Associate in Bulk Drug Substance Upstream to support the facility expansion, startup, and ramp‑up. The role involves seed train and production operations, collaboration with QA/QC, F&E, PPIC, Regulatory, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The position requires adaptability to 8am–5pm initially and a later 12‑hour shift, with overtime as needed to meet startup milestones. Strong cGMP knowledge and safety focus are essential.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED + 4 years manufacturing and/or other regulated environment experience
• Associate’s Degree + 2 years manufacturing and/or other regulated environment experience
• Bachelor’s Degree + 6 months manufacturing and/or other regulated environment experience
• Master's Degree in a relevant field (preferred) and strong cGMP knowledge

Responsibilities

• Support startup, ramp-up, and transfer activities for ANC facility.
• Perform hands-on operations: setup, cleaning, and documentation (EBR).
• Collaborate across QA/QC, Facilities & Engineering, PPIC, Regulatory for readiness.
• Drive safety and continuous improvement in daily operations.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Teamwork and collaboration

Safety and compliance mindset

Education

Master's Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Associate’s Degree

High School Diploma/GED + 4 years manufacturing experience

Tools

DeltaV

MES

Electronic Quality Systems

Job description

Join Amgen’s Mission of Serving Patients

You’ve worked hard to become the professional you are today and are now ready to take the next step in your career. How will you put your skills, experience and passion to work toward your goals? At Amgen, our shared mission—to serve patients—drives all that we do. It is key to our becoming one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, reaching over 10 million patients worldwide. Come do your best work alongside other innovative, driven professionals in this meaningful role.

Be part of Amgen's newest and most advanced drug substance manufacturing plant. When completed, the Amgen FleX Batch facility will combine the latest in disposable technologies with traditional stainless‑steel equipment to allow for maximum flexibility in operations. The FleX Batch facility will not only feature the best in‑class drug substance manufacturing technologies with embedded industry 4.0 capabilities, but it will also integrate sustainability innovations to reduce carbon and waste, as part of Amgen's plan to be a carbon‑neutral company by 2027.

Senior Associate Manufacturing - Bulk Drug Substance Upstream - Days

What You Will Do

Let’s do this! Let’s change the world! In this dynamic role, you will be an Senior Associate in the manufacturing organization at Amgen North Carolina (ANC) supporting the facility expansion program and facility startup. This essential role will be part of a team responsible for manufacturing cell culture operations including seed train, SUBs, Perfusion, RTF, Stainless Steel BRXs, Depth Filtration and Centrifugation, while partnering across functions to ensure successful operational readiness, technology transfer, and ramp‑up of manufacturing operations within the new facility.

This role may require work outside standard business hours, including non‑standard shifts, as needed to support startup, commissioning and qualification (C&Q), and engineering execution. During this phase of the startup, you will be expected to work a Monday – Friday schedule from 8am – 5pm. As the business moves from C&Q to manufacturing operations, this essential position will work on a 12‑hour 2‑2‑3 schedule from 5:45 am to 6:15pm supporting our critical 24/7 manufacturing operations. As Amgen relies upon the regular attendance of all staff members to meet legitimate business needs, this role must be able to work assigned 12‑hour shift, including during inclement weather, some holidays and requested overtime in support of our operations.

During early phases, this role will focus on operational readiness, training, and startup execution. As the facility transitions to steady state operations, the role will shift toward routine manufacturing execution and continuous improvement.

Compliance:

• Completes work in accordance with established cGMP procedures and policies (Standard Operating Procedures [SOPs], Manufacturing Procedures [MPs], Job Hazard Analysis [JHAs], Code of Federal Regulations [CFR]) with strict adherence to safety and compliance
• Initiate Quality observations (Discrepancies, Deviations, Testing Results Analysis (TRA), etc.) as well as support or lead evaluations and investigations into quality observations
• Interact with regulatory agencies as needed and guided
• Assure proper gowning and aseptic techniques are always followed

Operational Readiness & Facility Startup

• Support operational readiness activities for facility expansion and startup
• Execute manufacturing readiness tasks including equipment preparation, procedure execution, and process walkthroughs
• Participate in commissioning, qualification, and startup activities as trained and assigned
• Provide operational feedback during startup activities to support safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing
• Support readiness planning through execution of training, procedures, workflows, and operational practices required for startup and ramp‑up

Process/Equipment/Facilities

• Perform hands‑on operations including set‑up, cleaning, sanitization, monitoring of equipment of assigned area
• Run and monitor critical process tasks per assigned procedures
• Perform in‑process sampling, operate analytical equipment, and complete process documentation (Electronic Batch Records [EBR])
• Complete washroom activities: cleaning equipment, small to large scale, used in production activities
• Identify, recommend, and implement innovative process improvements and optimizations related to daily routine functions
• Assist in the review of documentation for assigned functions (i.e., equipment logs, EBRs, ESPs)
• Collaborate cross‑functionally (i.e., QA/QC, F&E (Facilities & Engineering), PPIC (Production Planning and Inventory Control), Mfg., PD (Process Development), Regulatory, etc.) in completing production activities
• Responsible for recognizing and elevating problems during daily operations
• Participate in the implementation of programs and CAPAs (Corrective Action Preventive Action) with an eye toward continuous improvement
• Drive safety in all operations, and assist the manager in escalating concerns as needed
• Maintain an organized, clean, and workable space

Administrative

• Draft and revise documents (SOPs, technical reports, and MPs)
• Interacts with management as an advisor in planning and in escalating potential concerns with the schedule and/or process

What We Expect Of You

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The hard‑working professional we seek is a team player with these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED + 4 years manufacturing and/or other regulated environment experience OR
• Associate’s Degree + 2 years manufacturing and/or other regulated environment experience OR
• Bachelor’s Degree + 6 months manufacturing and/or other regulated environment experience OR
• Master's Degree

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of NC BioWork Certificate Program
• Experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical plant start up
• Knowledge and process experience within a cGMP manufacturing facility or other highly regulated environment
• Basic understanding of Upstream operation (Vial Thaw, Inoculation/Cell Expansion, Single Use Bioreactor, Production Bioreactor, ATF, Harvest Centrifuge, Depth Filtration)
• Excellent verbal and written communication (technical) skills
• Proficient Microsoft Office skills, and knowledge of other electronic systems such as EBR/MES, Delta V, and Electronic Quality Systems

What You Can Expect Of Us

As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well‑being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.

In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers competitive and comprehensive Total Rewards Plans that are aligned with local industry standards.