Utilities Lead Operator - Lilly Medicine Foundry

100 Eli Lilly and Company; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 99,255,000 - 145,477,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly in Lebanon, IN is seeking a Utilities Lead Operator to oversee the utilities operations at the Medicine Foundry site. You will supervise the utilities team, manage shift priorities, and act as the primary escalation point for equipment issues, ensuring safe, GMP-compliant operation and continuous improvement.

The role requires leadership experience in utilities, knowledge of systems like water, steam, chillers, and waste streams; a technical or vocational degree is preferred, and a 12-hour

Qualifications

• Minimum five years in utilities, industrial, or mechanical operations with supervisory experience.
• Able to respond to call-ins and overtime.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, OSHA, EPA, RCRA, and site EH&S regulations.

Responsibilities

• Act as supervisor in the absence of the site supervisor and guide shift priorities.
• Communicate equipment issues and coordinate timely resolutions with engineering and site leadership.
• Review SOPs for accuracy and drive updates with operations and engineering.
• Conduct housekeeping to GMP and EH&S standards and enforce compliance.
• Ensure operators understand processes and responsibilities and that training is current.

Skills

Team leadership

GMP knowledge

OSHA awareness

Call-in overtime willingness

Education

Technical or vocational degree in mechanical, industrial, or utilities systems

Tools

DeltaV

UMS alarm management

CMMS

GMARS

Job description

Utilities Lead Operator

At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.

The Utilities Lead Operator is a subject matter expert on utility systems equipment and processes, providing frontline leadership for the utilities operations team at the Medicine Foundry site. With deep knowledge across all utility systems — including high purity water, compressed air, steam, chilled water, heated water, chilled glycol, heated glycol, domestic water, cooling towers, tepid water, waste streams, VOC management, nitrogen systems, aqueous waste neutralization, and tank farm management (solvent tank filling and hazardous waste tank emptying) — this position acts as a supervisor in the absence of the site supervisor, ensures the team is operating safely and in compliance with GMP and site EH&S standards, and serves as the primary escalation point for equipment issues, process deviations, and operational decisions. The Lead Operator drives accountability, team development, and operational excellence across the shift.

Responsibilities

• Act as supervisor in the absence of the site supervisor, making operational decisions, managing shift priorities, and serving as the primary point of contact for the utilities team.
• Communicate equipment issues to the appropriate teams and follow through to ensure problems are resolved in a timely manner, escalating to site management when necessary.
• Proactively review SOPs to ensure they are accurate, current, and reflective of actual system operation, partnering with engineering and site leadership to drive updates.
• Conduct housekeeping walkthroughs to verify that all utility operations areas are maintained to GMP and site EH&S standards, and hold the team accountable for compliance.
• Ensure operators understand their assigned processes, equipment, and responsibilities, supporting ongoing training and reinforcing safe and compliant work practices.
• Ensure equipment is properly locked out and made ready for maintenance needs, and verify that the team is adhering to all GMP, safety, and EH&S protocols at all times.

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Proven experience leading a team in an industrial or pharmaceutical utilities environment, including acting in a supervisory capacity.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in utilities, industrial, or mechanical operations required; prior supervisory or lead experience in a cGMP pharmaceutical manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Language Requirements

• English required.
• Must have mechanical aptitude.
• Must be willing to respond to call-in and scheduled overtime work.
• Must be capable of lifting up to 40 pounds.
• Must be able to withstand exposure to temperature variations while performing work outside in winter and summer weather conditions.
• Must be able to wear respiratory equipment.

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Technical or vocational degree in mechanical, industrial, or utilities systems preferred.
• Leadership or supervisory training a plus.
• Proficient in DCS platforms such as DeltaV, UMS alarm management, CMMS, and GMARS documentation systems.
• Demonstrated ability to manage shift priorities, coordinate cross-functional resources, and communicate effectively with site leadership.
• Strong knowledge of GMP, OSHA, EPA, RCRA, and site EH&S regulatory requirements with a track record of holding teams accountable to compliance standards.
• Previous experience supporting capital projects, equipment commissioning, alarm rationalization, and process improvement initiatives in partnership with engineering teams.

Additional Information

This position's permanent location is in Lebanon, IN. Hazardous operations exist within Utilities, involving exposure to systems using acid, steam, caustic, high pressure, and high temperatures. Personal protective equipment is required. Awkward positions, cramped quarters, ladder, and scaffolding work will be required at times.

Position Location

Lebanon, IN – Temporary Location: Carmel or Indianapolis, IN Travel Percentage (%): Minimal – less than 10%

Shift Information

This position operates on a 12-hour fixed shift on a 3-2-2-3 schedule. This is a permanent night shift (6:00 PM – 6:30 AM).

Equal Opportunity Statement

Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions.

Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (BE@Lilly), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).

Compensation & Benefits

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location.

The anticipated wage for this position is $34.61 - $50.77.

Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance).

• eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k)
• pension
• vacation benefits
• eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits
• flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts)
• life insurance and death benefits
• certain time off and leave of absence benefits
• well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities)

Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

About Lilly

#WeAreLilly At Lilly we strive to ensure our employees are part of a team that cares about them and our shared purpose of making life better for those around the world. We continue to look for ways to include, innovate, accelerate and deliver while maintaining integrity, excellence and respect for people. We hope that you seek to join us on our journey as we create medicine and deliver improved outcomes for patients across the globe!