Work Cell Leader - Warehouse

Novo Nordisk; Clayton (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off and 14 holidays

Health insurance from day one

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Guaranteed 8% 401K contribution plus 1

Parental & family medical leave (14+6)

Job summary

Novo Nordisk is seeking a motivated leader to oversee day-to-day Material Handling activities in our Fill & Finish Expansions (FFEx) unit. You will supervise Work Cell Leaders, coordinate material issuance/transfer, and drive continuous improvement in warehouse operations.

The role focuses on safe, efficient handling of semi-finished and finished goods, ensuring production schedules are met and regulatory standards are followed. Strong leadership and problem-solving skills are required.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Associate degree in related field preferred.
• Experience in a warehouse environment, FDA regulated setting preferred.
• Ability to read, write & understand complicated product documentation & SOPs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate day-to-day Material Handling activities.
• Coach and develop Material Handling team members.
• Ensure safety, quality and regulatory compliance (cGMP, ISO).
• Monitor KPI performance and reporting; participate in problem solving.
• Allocate shift resources and manage breaks and coverage.
• Perform material staging and readiness for production schedules.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree preferred

Tools

PASX

SAP

Job description

About The Department

You will be joining Fill & Finish Expansions (FFEx), which is responsible for all major expansion activities within aseptic production, solid dosage forms, finished products, fill & finish warehousing, and QC across all production areas in Product Supply. The area is anchored in Product Supply, Quality & IT, which globally employ approx. 20,000 of Novo Nordisk’s 50,000 employees.

About The Department

You will be joining Fill & Finish Expansions (FFEx), which is responsible for all major expansion activities within aseptic production, solid dosage forms, finished products, fill & finish warehousing, and QC across all production areas in Product Supply. The area is anchored in Product Supply, Quality & IT, which globally employ approx. 20,000 of Novo Nordisk’s 50,000 employees.

FFEx is a newly established and growing area with the responsibility to design, plan, and build all new aseptic filling capacity across Novo Nordisk to serve the needs of millions of patients. We do it by rethinking our production facilities with the use of modern technology, as we are setting the standards for the aseptic production of the future. Facilities designed today which we will still be proud of 20 years from now. FF Expansions has a global approach, where you will be working with multiple sites and cultures across the world.

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 Material Support personnel in accordance with the Novo Nordisk Way. Work Cell Leaders (WCLs) will focus on: a) Ensuring the safe & effective operation of the material handling function within the warehouse organization while maintaining a high level of focus on Quality. Aiding in continuous through put of materials. Coordinating with oncoming shift Work Cell Leader on the day-to-day turnover workload. b) Ensuring plant systems are compliant with applicable regulations. Working closely with manufacturing to ensure production schedules are met to prevent line downtime.

Relationships

Reports to Manager, Warehouse/Supervisor, Mat. Support.

Essential Functions

• Support the site production plan through coordinating the timely & accurate issuance, return & transfer of semi-finished & finished product, components, label control material, systems & production-related materials
• Lead & coach continuous improvement activities within the Material Handling operations
• Enforce all safety & environmental requirements in the performance of duties
• Help facilitate a productive, engaging & safe working environment
• Set up next team for success
• Communicate to next team via updating of performance boards & generation of daily turnover
• Participate in process improvement initiatives, such as PS@Shopfloor
• Coordinate material staging activities, scheduled by Logistics & requested by production
• Serve as primary contact for the warehouse shift operation
• Schedule shift resources, to include breaks, lunches & other activities
• Address any safety, quality, & staffing or personnel issues & elevate to Manager, if necessary
• Monitor performance & completion of training to assure the competency level of shift team members; ensure team members are trained to the standard
• Provide performance review input for shift team members as required by Manager
• Spend 25 - 50% of time operating as a Material Handler in the process
• Utilize NNTZW to monitor or adjust product temperature as required
• Possess BMS access to respond, acknowledge & answer temperature excursions in cold rooms
• Manage sample pulling process for work cell team of Finished packaging, assembled pens & test kits for Aseptic Production
• Other accountabilities, as assigned
• Ensure site compliance with cGMPs, ISO standards & corporate & local SOPs
• Leading & coordinating day to day activities to meet KPI & customer requirements
• Develop & implement metrics for Material Handling process improvements with the Operations Area Specialists
• Coaching & development of Material Handling team members
• Proven ability to motivate & lead people
• Ensure tracking & reporting of relevant KPI’s
• Lead investigations & root-cause analysis using Systematic Problem Solving
• Knowledge & experience in all Material Handling activities
• Manage Material Handling Board updates
• Workload Balancing
• Write, review & approve SOPs, etc
• Perform Process Confirmations of Material Handling activities
• Certified 4P Trainer
• Coordination of Put-Aways & material flow from docks
• Super User of PASX & SAP

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 remain in a stationary position (sitting and standing) 50% of the time. May require corrected vision to 20/25 based on role. May require colour vision based on role. Handles transport of hazardous materials. Occasionally performs critical job functions in extremely cold work environments. Ability to work in loud noise environments with hearing protection. Able to pass a driving exam for powered industrial trucks. Does not require a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent required, Associate's Degree in related field preferred
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a warehouse environment, FDA regulated preferred preferred
• Leadership experience preferred preferred
• Experienced with participating in problem solving activities (e.g. cLEAN® 1-Star) preferred
• Qualified to perform warehouse shift operator activities in general warehouse, label control & cold storage preferred
• Ability to read, write & understand complicated product documentation & standard operating procedures with attention to detail preferred
• Computer competencies required include basic Microsoft knowledge: Outlook, Power Point & Word preferred
• Experience with a computerized inventory system such as SAP a plus preferred
• Experience with planning & organizing, managing priorities & checking results preferred
• Revising the work plan to meet daily work plan targets preferred
• Demonstrates a systematic approach to problem solving & troubleshooting preferred
• Supports & actively participates in event response activities for the process preferred
• Documents problems & works to bring them rapidly to solution 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.

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.