Sr. Specialist Maintenance Planner Scheduler

NCBiotech; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 81,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis in Durham, NC is seeking a Senior Specialist Maintenance Planner Scheduler to keep critical biopharma equipment running reliably on-site. You will align maintenance strategy with production needs, drive continuous improvement, and collaborate across teams to support gene therapy manufacturing.

The role requires hands-on planning for calibration, maintenance programs, and coordination with contractors to ensure compliance and seamless operations at the site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with at least five years of pharmaceutical manufacturing experience or nine years of equivalent experience in lieu of a degree
• Broad technical knowledge across disciplines including power transmission, lubrication, and electrical control systems
• Experience maintaining biopharmaceutical equipment such as bioreactors, filtration systems, and clean room air systems
• Working knowledge of computerized maintenance management systems and materials management processes
• Proven ability to develop and manage preventive and predictive maintenance programs
• Understanding of reliability centered maintenance principles and their practical application in manufacturing environments
• Experience performing root cause failure analysis and implementing improvements to enhance equipment performance
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other relevant software tools

Responsibilities

• Plan and schedule maintenance and calibration activities to ensure uninterrupted manufacturing operations
• Develop and maintain equipment records and detailed maintenance plans aligned with production priorities
• Provide technical guidance to maintenance and reliability teams to support effective task execution
• Implement and sustain site maintenance programs ensuring compliance and consistent equipment performance
• Coordinate maintenance work by defining scope, estimating resources, and ensuring timely execution
• Collaborate with production, operations, and service partners to align maintenance with business needs
• Analyze work orders based on urgency, complexity, and resource availability to optimize workflow
• Assign and sequence work orders to maximize efficiency of maintenance teams and resources
• Manage external contractors and subcontractors supporting maintenance and project-based activities
• Track and report maintenance performance metrics to drive productivity and continuous improvement

Skills

Technical knowledge across disciplines

Biopharma equipment maintenance

Maintenance management systems

Preventive maintenance

RCM principles

Root cause analysis

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Job description

Band

Level 3

Job Description Summary

Step into a role where your expertise keeps life-changing therapies moving forward. As a Senior Specialist Maintenance Planner Scheduler, you will be at the heart of a cutting-edge biopharmaceutical site, ensuring critical equipment operates with precision, reliability, and compliance. By aligning maintenance strategy with production needs, you will directly impact the seamless delivery of advanced gene therapy treatments to patients. This is an opportunity to collaborate across teams, drive continuous improvement, and play a vital role in powering innovation that truly changes lives.

Job Description

Location

• This position will be located in Durham, NC and will be an onsite role.


• Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and schedule maintenance and calibration activities to ensure uninterrupted manufacturing operations


• Develop and maintain equipment records and detailed maintenance plans aligned with production priorities


• Provide technical guidance to maintenance and reliability teams to support effective task execution


• Implement and sustain site maintenance programs ensuring compliance and consistent equipment performance


• Coordinate maintenance work by defining scope, estimating resources, and ensuring timely execution


• Collaborate with production, operations, and service partners to align maintenance with business needs


• Analyze work orders based on urgency, complexity, and resource availability to optimize workflow


• Assign and sequence work orders to maximize efficiency of maintenance teams and resources


• Manage external contractors and subcontractors supporting maintenance and project-based activities


• Track and report maintenance performance metrics to drive productivity and continuous improvement

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with at least five years of pharmaceutical manufacturing experience or nine years of equivalent experience in lieu of a degree


• Broad technical knowledge across disciplines including power transmission, lubrication, and electrical control systems


• Experience maintaining biopharmaceutical equipment such as bioreactors, filtration systems, and clean room air systems


• Working knowledge of computerized maintenance management systems and materials management processes


• Proven ability to develop and manage preventive and predictive maintenance programs for manufacturing equipment


• Understanding of reliability centered maintenance principles and their practical application in manufacturing environments


• Experience performing root cause failure analysis and implementing improvements to enhance equipment performance


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and other relevant software tools

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary

The salary for this position is expected to range between $81,200 and $150,800 annually

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

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EEO Statement

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Salary Range

$81,200.00 - $150,800.00

Skills Desired