Lead Operator, Formulation (Night Shift)

About the role

Lilly is investing over $1 billion to build a completely new, environmentally conscious, and highly automated campus in Concord, North Carolina. This brand-new campus will utilize the latest technology to increase the company's capacity in parenteral (injectable) medications, device assembly, and packaging operations. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build and operate a new site, with significant opportunities for growth into future leadership and technical roles.

The Lead Operator is responsible for ensuring continuous supply of medicines by expertly running processes, troubleshooting, collaborating cross-functionally, and upholding a safety-first, quality-always mindset. Lead Operators coordinate daily activities to meet capacity plans while developing their own and the team's capabilities.

Responsibilities

Integrity

• Provide leadership on the manufacturing floor ensuring a high level of safety, quality, and productivity to maintain reliable supply of products to patients
• Maintain a safe work environment, exemplify safe working practices, and be accountable for supporting HSE goals
• Act as both administrator and technical leader for operations
• Set a good example through demonstrated knowledge of procedures, compliance with quality systems, and teaching of proper techniques

Excellence

• Serve as technical leader: key resource for troubleshooting and primary point of contact for issue escalation on the shop floor
• Administer technical training and ensure all operators are trained to perform tasks
• Operate equipment and perform activities as required to meet production schedule
• Assist in checking execution documentation (Electronic Batch Record, SAP, Cleaning Logs)
• Drive key departmental objectives including improving safety performance, reducing deviations, improving productivity, and training compliance

Respect for People

• Support Site Leadership to build a diverse and capable site organization by delivering area operational procedures, quality processes, and controls for PAR areas
• Assist Supervisor in development and performance evaluations of shift operators (lead role)
• Act as backup for Supervisor
• Serve as key liaison between operations and support functions

Requirements

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Minimum education: High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to effectively communicate (electronically, written, and verbal)
• Flexibility — ability to troubleshoot and triage challenges
• Computer proficiency (desktop software, MS Office)

Time Commitments and Work Authorization

• Must pass a "fitness for duty" physical exam
• Ability to work 12-hour days on a 2-2-3 shift
• Ability to work overtime as required
• Ability to wear safety equipment (glasses, shoes, gloves, etc.)
• Ability to work and gown in a cleanroom (Grade C, ISO 8) environment
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; Lilly will not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B, TN, F-1 CPT/OPT, J-1, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, L-1)

Preferred qualifications

• Leadership experience and ability to train/educate team members
• STEM degree or certifications
• Aseptic filling, single-use assemblies, isolator technology
• Automated, semi-automated, and/or manual inspection
• Knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs)
• Experience in operations or manufacturing environments
• Pharmaceutical, medical device, or food processing industries
• Manufacturing Execution Systems and electronic batch release
• Continuous improvement (Lean, Six Sigma methodologies)
• Highly automated equipment (inspection, packaging, filling, assembly, etc.)
• SAP, Electronic Batch Records

Schedule

12-hour shifts on a 2-2-3 rotation; overtime as required. Must be able to work in a cleanroom (Grade C, ISO 8) environment and wear required safety equipment.

Pay

Anticipated wage range: $27.40 – $44.42 per hour. Full-time equivalent employees are also eligible for a company bonus (based on company and individual performance). Actual compensation depends on education, experience, skills, and geographic location.

Benefits

• Company-sponsored 401(k) and pension
• Vacation benefits
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits
• Flexible benefits (healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts)
• Life insurance and death benefits
• Time off and leave of absence benefits
• Well-being benefits (employee assistance program, fitness benefits, employee clubs and activities)