Senior Operator, Hazardous Waste

ABBVIE; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 33,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking a Senior Operator in Illinois to lead advanced, multi-area operations and ensure safe, compliant production.

You will set up systems, troubleshoot, perform minor maintenance, and support project reliability initiatives while mentoring operators and coordinating daily tasks.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 3–4 years experience preferred.
• Forklift and portable hand truck certification.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly.
• EPA/RCRA, and DOT 49 CFR certifications, and respirator certification.
• Ability to obtain certification to drive trucks up to 10,000 pounds.
• Knowledgeable in handling, storage, and compliance for hazardous, chemical, and biologic materials.
• Strong analytical training, problem-solving, teamwork, organizational, and customer service skills, including manual material handling.
• Previous experience in industrial, military, pharma, chemical or utility plant operations.
• Demonstrates broad technical knowledge of processes, equipment and site-specific systems.

Responsibilities

• Operates key process equipment and instruments according to procedures.
• Backs up coordinator and monitors workflow for compliance and output.
• Monitors parameters, addresses deviations to mitigate material loss risks.
• Submits work orders, documents production and equipment status.
• Ensures compliance with AbbVie policies and regulatory requirements.
• Documents events and observations from system checks and escalates issues.
• Coordinates logistic requests and ensures required resources.
• Promotes EHS programs and drives continuous safety improvements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Customer service

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift certification

EPA/RCRA certification

DOT 49 CFR certification

Respirator certification

Truck/van driving cert.

Job description

• Compensation: USD 23.8 - USD 43 - hourly

Company Description

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people’s lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com . Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook , Instagram , X and YouTube.

Job Description

Purpose

The Senior Operator position is an advancement from Operator requiring completion of all core tasks from the previous levels. Serves as a highly experienced operator, recognized for excelling across multiple operational areas within the facility. Independently executes, coordinates, and delegates daily operational tasks, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to safety and compliance standards. Acts as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), supporting training, certification, documentation, and audit activities to uphold process integrity and regulatory requirements. Responsible for system set-up, advanced troubleshooting, minor maintenance, and providing critical support to ongoing projects and equipment reliability initiatives. Proactively identifies improvement opportunities, fosters operational excellence, and can fill in and perform the roles of Operations Coordinator when needed. Demonstrates leadership, technical depth, and reliability essential for supporting team development and maintaining high standards throughout materials management operations. Able to fill-in, execute and perform roles of Operations Coordinator as necessary.

Responsibilities

All Operator core tasks plus the following:

• Operates key process equipment and instruments (e.g., tanker trucks, pumps, machines, etc.) according to all applicable procedures in a wide range of outdoor operating conditions.
• Serves as backup coordinator as needed or supports the designated coordinator by monitoring project changes and operational workflows to ensure ongoing process compliance and scheduled output.
• Monitors critical parameters, anticipates and addresses deviations to mitigate risks of material loss, and coordinates or executes removal, cleaning, and testing operations.
• Submits work orders for equipment repair and maintenance, documents production and equipment status, and maintains logs.
• Ensures compliance with all AbbVie policies/procedures and regulatory requirements; serves as SME during training, ensuring proper use of PPE, operational procedures, and project/process knowledge
• Documents events and observations from system checks escape unresolvable issues to supervision.
• Coordinates logistic requests, tracks inventory transactions, and ensures required resources are available to meet project/process objectives.
• Promotes environmental stewardship and occupational health and safety by supporting EHS programs (incident reporting, waste management/disposal, use of PPE, etc.) and drive continuous improvement in these areas.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 3 to 4 years experience preferred.
• Forklift and portable hand truck certification.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly.
• EPA/RCRA, and DOT 49 CFR certifications (including ability to sign compliance documents), and respirator certification.
• Ability to obtain certification to drive trucks up to 10,000 pounds and vans on public roads.
• Knowledgeable in handling, storage, and compliance for hazardous, chemical, and biologic materials.
• Strong analytical training, problem-solving, teamwork, organizational, and customer service skills, including manual material handling.
• Previous experience in industrial, military, pharma, chemical or utility plant operations
• Demonstrates broad technical knowledge of processes, equipment and site-specific systems, maintains maturity in responding effectively to emergencies or unplanned situations.
• Proficiency in computerized systems; ability to read, write, interpret, and communicate effectively
• Strong mathematical/mechanical aptitude, understanding of lean tools, and regulatory compliance knowledge.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision, strong interpersonal skills.

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state orlocal law:

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Companybelieves ingood faith it will pay for this role at thetimeofthis posting based on the job grade for this position.Individualcompensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographiclocation,andwemayultimatelypaymore or less than the posted range. This range may bemodifiedin thefuture.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick),medical/dental/visioninsurance and 401(k) to eligibleemployees.
• This job is eligible toparticipatein our short-term incentiveprograms.

Note: No amount of payis considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable.Theamountandavailabilityof anybonus,commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form ofcompensation and benefitsthat are allocable to a particular employeeremains in the Company’s sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may bemodified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.