Senior Manager, IT - API (Clayton, NC, US)

Biopharma Careers; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K with company match

Paid holidays

Tuition Assistance

Life & Disability Insurance

Employee Referral Awards

Job summary

Novo Nordisk is seeking an IT leader for the Clayton, NC site to guide a 24/7 IT support team, align IT strategy with manufacturing goals, and ensure compliant operation of critical systems. You will mentor staff, drive improvements, and collaborate with global stakeholders to standardize IT processes.

The role emphasizes Lean practices, regulatory readiness, and scalable IT landscapes to support current production and future capacity needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a relevant field with 7+ years IT or automation experience, GMP preferred.
• Associate’s Degree + 10 years IT or automation experience, GMP preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of people leadership or project management leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead SMEs to ensure a high‑performing, collaborative team environment.
• Provide 24/7 IT support and ensure regulatory compliance and lifecycle management.

Skills

Leadership

LEAN manufacturing

GxP & regulatory

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in IT/CS

Associate’s in IT/CS (optional)

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.

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

The Position

Responsible for the department's system support, developing strategic goals and objectives in alignment with all relevant NN business plans, and providing IT system support and issue resolution 24/7. Provides leadership & coaching to staff. Responsible for application support overseeing subject matter experts within applications used on site. Provides information to site leadership on IT issues, plans, and projects. Ensures staff is trained, IT is in compliance with regulatory requirements and Novo Nordisk requirements and manages internal and external IT stakeholders. Oversee service support, secures IT application changes follow Computer system validations, and collaborates with Line of Business and the IT Organization. Ensures processes and SLAs are in place, drives improvement projects, and collaborates globally to establish standards and share best practices.

Relationships

Reports to Director.

Essential Functions

• Manage, lead, and coach teams of subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure a high-performing collaborative team environment
• Provide continuous feedback, structure, accountability, implement best practices and continuous improvement through LEAN management to improve team performance
• Maximize value of IT staff through training, development, coaching, performance management, recruitment, and employee relations
• Create, develop, define, and implement dynamic key performance indicators (KPIs) for areas of responsibility
• Drive technical discussions, problem solving, and compliance discussions
• Actively involve, manage, clearly communicate with, and effectively collaborate with internal & external stakeholders at all levels across the organization, as well as in DK
• Act as a resource and mentor for colleagues with less experience, providing guidance and support
• Develop strategic direction for site IT assets, monitor advancements in the industry & recommend & implement new technologies that meet customers’ needs as well as production goals and agreements for the site
• Provide stability needed for customers to maintain current production requirements, as well as meet future growth & increased capacity requirements
• Secure a seamless collaboration across the IT teams with the focus on the outcome
• Responsible for all IT applications; secure a stable and ready-to-scale IT landscape that supports the increasing volumes at the site while also driving technical discussions, problem solving, and accountability within the department
• Establish effective problem-solving, 24/7 support, and management escalation
• Ensure IT systems and processes are available, capable & accessible to meet production & business needs while continuously improving support models to ensure operational excellence on the shop floor
• Ensure the department operates in accordance with internal & external regulations & procedures (IT Governance)
• Follow all safety & environmental requirements in the performance of duties
• Other duties, as assigned

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in an open office environment with the possibility of frequent distraction. Ability to travel up to 10% of the time. (% can change on a case-by-case basis 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 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 in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a relevant field of study from an accredited university with a minimum of seven (7) years of IT or automation experience required, preferably in a GMP manufacturing environment
• May consider an Associate’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a relevant field of study from an accredited college or university with ten (10) years of IT or automation experience, required, preferably in a GMP manufacturing environment
• Minimum of three (3) years of people leadership or project management leadership experience including demonstrated ability to lead/direct other people (supervisors/team or project lead/managers), required
• Previous experience leading and setting up 24/7 IT support teams, as well as project management and/or systems life-cycle management, is preferred
• Proven expertise in GxP documentation practices, regulatory audits, and inspections preferred
• Proficient technical knowledge and experience in various systems E2E and infrastructure preferred
• Ability to understand and fully utilize complex systems and technologies to execute processes, including familiarity with common systems, and to develop and implement IT strategies, policies, and plans aligned with departmental objectives preferred
• Oversee and coordinate various digital and IT areas, including IT systems, support, operations, and digital innovation preferred
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey key messages clearly in written, verbal, and presentation communication preferred
• Proven ability to inspire and motivate employees through continuous feedback while guiding and coordinating groups towards a shared goal, creating a positive environment for collaboration, managing group dynamics, and ensuring progress and alignment preferred
• Strong digital acumen to drive digital transformation and innovation within the organization preferred
• Knowledge of LEAN manufacturing technologies & methodologies/Six Sigma methodologies/Systematic problem-solving methodologies preferred
• IT governance, including system management, business continuity & forecasting combined with knowledge of sustainability principles and their integration into IT operations and strategies 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.