Senior Operator, Hazardous Waste

About the role

The Senior Operator position is an advancement from Operator, requiring completion of all core tasks from the previous levels. Serves as a highly experienced operator, recognized for excelling across multiple operational areas within the facility. Independently executes, coordinates, and delegates daily operational tasks, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to safety and compliance standards. Acts as a Subject Matter Expert (SME), supporting training, certification, documentation, and audit activities to uphold process integrity and regulatory requirements. Responsible for system set-up, advanced troubleshooting, minor maintenance, and providing critical support to ongoing projects and equipment reliability initiatives. Proactively identifies improvement opportunities, fosters operational excellence, and can fill in and perform the roles of Operations Coordinator when needed. Demonstrates leadership, technical depth, and reliability essential for supporting team development and maintaining high standards throughout materials management operations.

Responsibilities

• Operates key process equipment and instruments (e.g., tanker trucks, pumps, machines, etc.) according to all applicable procedures in a wide range of outdoor operating conditions.
• Serves as backup coordinator as needed or supports the designated coordinator by monitoring project changes and operational workflows to ensure ongoing process compliance and scheduled output.
• Maintains compliance with all AbbVie policies/procedures and regulatory requirements; serves as SME during training, ensuring proper use of PPE, operational procedures, and project/process knowledge.
• Monitors critical parameters, anticipates and addresses deviations to mitigate risks of material loss, and coordinates or executes removal, cleaning, and testing operations.
• Submits work orders for equipment repair and maintenance, documents production and equipment status, and maintains logs.
• Ensures compliance with all AbbVie policies/procedures and regulatory requirements; serves as SME during training, ensuring proper use of PPE, operational procedures, and project/process knowledge.
• Documents events and observations from system checks, escalates unresolvable issues to supervision.
• Captures logistic requests, tracks inventory transactions, and ensures required resources are available to meet project/process objectives.
• Promotes environmental stewardship and occupational health and safety by supporting EHS programs (incident reporting, waste management/disposal, use of PPE, etc.) and drive continuous improvement in these areas.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 3 to 4 years experience preferred.
• Forklift and portable hand truck certification.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly.
• EPA/RCRA, and DOT 49 CFR certifications (including ability to sign compliance documents), and respirator certification.
• Ability to obtain certification to drive trucks up to 10,000 pounds and vans on public roads.
• Knowledgeable in handling, storage, and compliance for hazardous, chemical, and biologic materials.
• Strong analytical training, problem-solving, teamwork, organizational, and customer service skills, including manual material handling.
• Previous experience in industrial, military, pharma, chemical or utility plant operations.
• Demonstrates broad technical knowledge of processes, equipment and site-specific systems, maintains maturity in responding effectively to emergencies or unplanned situations.
• Proficiency in computerized systems; ability to read, write, interpret, and communicate effectively.
• Strong mathematical/mechanical aptitude, understanding of lean tools, and regulatory compliance knowledge.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision, strong interpersonal skills.

Additional Information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees. This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.