Operator, Formulation (Day Shift)-5

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.

About the role

This opportunity is for an Operator, Senior Operator, or Lead Operator role at Eli Lilly’s new state-of-the-art manufacturing campus in Concord, North Carolina, where the company is investing more than $1 billion to expand production of injectable medicines, device assembly, and packaging operations. The position plays a critical role in ensuring a continuous supply of life-changing medicines by operating and troubleshooting highly automated manufacturing equipment, maintaining a strong safety-first and quality-focused culture, and collaborating across multiple functions.

Senior and Lead Operators will also provide technical leadership, coordinate daily production activities, train and mentor team members, and serve as key resources for operational issue resolution. Candidates will contribute to building a high-performing site culture while supporting compliance with GMP regulations, electronic batch records, and manufacturing systems. This role offers significant opportunities for career growth into future technical and leadership positions and is ideal for individuals with manufacturing experience, strong problem-solving skills, and a passion for operational excellence in a highly regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership on the manufacturing floor ensuring a high level of safety, quality, and productivity to maintain a reliable supply of products to patients.
• Maintain a safe work environment, exemplify safe working practices, and support Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) goals.
• Act as both administrator and technical leader for operations, setting a good example through demonstrated knowledge of procedures, compliance with quality systems, and teaching proper techniques.
• Serve as a key resource for troubleshooting and function as the 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 required to meet the 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.
• Support site leadership to build a diverse and capable site organization by delivering area operational procedures, quality processes, and controls for the PAR areas.
• Act as a key liaison between operations and support functions.

Requirements

• Minimum education: High School Diploma or GED.
• Ability to effectively communicate (electronically, written, and verbal).
• Flexibility to troubleshoot and triage challenges.
• Computer proficiency (desktop software, MS Office).
• A valid driver’s license.
• Must pass a vision exam and be free of color blindness; equivalent to 20/20 correctable close vision acuity.
• Must pass a “fitness for duty” physical exam.
• Ability to work 6 AM to 6 PM on a 2-2-3 schedule.
• 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.
• Legally authorized to be employed in the United States; Lilly does not anticipate providing sponsorship for employment visa status.

Qualifications (Senior and Lead roles)

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

Pay

The anticipated wage for this position is $17.30 - $34.38 per hour. Full-time equivalent employees will also be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance).

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit program including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits.
• Eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k) and pension plan.
• Vacation 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).

Schedule

In operation, the schedule is 6 AM to 6 PM on a 2-2-3 rotation, with the ability to work overtime as required.