Work Cell Leader 1 - SDF (A/B Shift)

BioSpace; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off including 14, 


Health, dental, vision insurance from/

Job summary

Novo Nordisk is seeking a Production Team Lead for our Durham, NC site. You will lead day-to-day shopfloor activities, ensure safe and effective operation of one or more work cells, and maintain quality standards. You will resolve issues and execute plans while guiding a focused, collaborative team.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, training, and adherence to cGMP as part of a broader manufacturing operation in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree preferred.
• BioWork graduate preferred.
• Minimum two years in manufacturing; pharma/FDA-regulated industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Execute production plans by leading the operation and monitoring equipment and processes.
• Maintain a productive, engaging, and safe working environment.
• Schedule work cell resources, including breaks and lunches.
• Coordinate maintenance activities and respond to safety or quality issues.
• Ensure team training and competency; perform as operator 50%–75% of the time.
• Maintain cGMP documentation and provide performance input as required.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate’s degree

BioWork graduate

Job description

About The Department

For more than 100 years, Novo Nordisk has been tackling the unmet medical needs of people living with serious chronic diseases, such as diabetes & obesity. 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.

About The Department

For more than 100 years, Novo Nordisk has been tackling the unmet medical needs of people living with serious chronic diseases, such as diabetes & obesity. 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 Emerging Technologies -Solid Dosage Forms US facility in Durham, NC is a 194,000 square foot tableting and packaging facility that supports the production of our innovative oral treatments for patients with type 2 diabetes. SDF maintains a curious and pioneering spirit, harmonious with our growing pipeline of new products and emerging technologies.

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

At Novo Nordisk, you will find opportunities, resources, and mentorship to help grow and build your career. Are you ready to realize your potential? Join Team Novo Nordisk and help us make what matters.

The Position

Leads the day-to-day activities of shopfloor personnel in accordance with the Novo Nordisk way. Ensure the safe & effective operation of one or more work cells, while maintaining a high level of focus on Quality. Ensure production processes are executed per plans and resolve any issues.

Relationships

Reports to Manager.

Essential Functions

• Execute production plans by leading the operation, monitoring & controlling equipment, systems & processes within one or more work cells
• Help facilitate a productive, engaging & safe working environment
• Setup next team for success
• Coordinate maintenance activities
• Lead team in Event Response/RCA
• Schedule work cell resources, including breaks, lunches & other activities
• Address any safety, quality, staffing or personnel issues & escalate to manager as may be necessary
• Monitor performance & completion of training to ensure the competency level of work cell team members. Ensure team members are trained in accordance with standards
• Responsible for cGMP documentation
• Provide performance review input for work cell team members as required by manager
• Spend 50% - 75% of time performing as an operator in the designated work cell process(es)
• Follow all safety and environmental requirements in the performance of duties
• Other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements

• Moves equipment &/or supplies weighing up to 33 pounds within the facility using various body positions
• Routinely operates & inspects manufacturing equipment using hands
• Strap & unstrap pallets using hands
• Must be able to be on your feet for up to a 12-hour shift
• May require corrected vision to 20/20 or 20/25 based on role
• May require color vision based on role
• Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder
• May be required to work at elevated heights
• Occasionally works around odorous &/or hazardous materials
• May be required to wear latex gloves
• May perform critical job functions in extremely cold work environments depending on site
• May position oneself within confined spaces for inspection if required of the role
• Ability to work in loud noise environments with hearing protection
• May be required to secure a motorized vehicle license & operate a motorized vehicle based on the role

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required, Associate’s degree preferred
• BioWork graduate preferred
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in manufacturing industry required; in a pharmaceutical or other FDA regulated industry, preferred
• Qualified to perform operator activities on work cell equipment required
• Ability to read, write & understand complicated product documentation & standard operating procedures with attention to detail preferred
• Demonstrated ability to train & mentor team members in processes, preferred
• Computer literacy required
• Experience with planning & organizing, managing execution, checking results & revising the work plan to meet daily work plan targets a plus

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.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.