Merck & Co, Inc

Senior Technician, Operations (Technical)

Merck & Co, Inc$63K — $100K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 4+ years of experience in a GMP manufacturing facility
  • Minimum 3 years in a maintenance or Operations Technician role
  • Strong mechanical aptitude and knowledge of electrical/control fundamentals
  • Experience in root cause analysis and continuous improvement
  • Demonstrated leadership ability with experience in training peers
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Willingness to lift up to 50 lbs and work various shifts, including weekends

Responsibilities

  • Set up, adjust, and optimize production packaging equipment; maintain setup standards
  • Act as first responder to equipment malfunctions, diagnosing and resolving issues
  • Proactively identify and prevent potential production issues
  • Perform systematic diagnostics to enhance productivity and minimize downtimes
  • Assist maintenance personnel with equipment repairs and routine maintenance
  • Monitor and maintain cleanliness and operation of machinery
  • Lead investigations into production issues and implement corrective actions

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision healthcare for employees and family
  • Retirement benefits including 401(k)
  • Paid holidays, vacation, and sick days
  • Opportunity for annual bonus and long-term incentives
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Senior Technician (Technical), Operations role provides shopfloor technical leadership and advanced troubleshooting support for packaging operations. This role independently sets up equipment in accordance with approved setup sheets and/or work orders; leads first-line response to equipment and process issues that arise with manufacturing and packaging equipment, effectively diagnosing and addressing technical issues; performs process monitoring and alarm response to maintain operational efficiency and product quality; monitors and reduces ejects, jams, and similar losses; and replaces wear parts such as belts, suction cups, and filters.

Key responsibilities include coaching and training operations staff, and partnering with Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering to minimize downtime and improve process reliability. The Senior Technician ensures accurate technical documentation, leads problem solving coordination and continuous improvement, and helps maintain compliance with cGMP and site procedures.

This position requires leadership skills with strong technical skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to think critically under pressure.

Primary activities include, but are not limited to:

Operations
  • Operate, set up, adjust and optimize production and packaging equipment; determine proper equipment settings and clearances and develop/maintain set-up standard work.
  • Act as the first technical escalation in operations to equipment malfunctions and process issues; diagnose issues (including response for un-common faults/errors), make necessary adjustments to return the equipment to a functional state; determine when to escalate to Maintenance, Reliability, or Engineering and follow through to resolution.
  • Proactively identifies potential production issues and takes action to prevent occurrence
  • Use systematic diagnostics to improve productivity and minimize ejects and downtime.
  • Assist maintenance personnel with routine and non-routine equipment maintenance and repairs, including helping with performing maintenance tasks, initiating work orders and retrieving parts from the stockroom as required.
  • Cleans and lubricates machines periodically and performs other basic maintenance work required (ie. wiping off sensors, recharging process fluids, replace wear parts such as belts, suction cups, filters, etc.) to assure the efficient operation of all equipment.
  • Partner with support groups, leveraging line performance data to monitor and trend equipment performance, identify recurring issues, and recommend capital or process improvement projects to increase OEE.
  • Lead root cause investigations for equipment related- production issues; develop and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
  • Maintain physical work areas, tools, and equipment to support safe and efficient operations.
  • Carry out our manufacturing division's site mission by assuring finished goods and services are of the highest quality, optimal cost, and delivered on schedule.


Compliance
  • Conducts all manufacturing and packaging operations in accordance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), site Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Divisional policies and guidelines.
  • Take accountability for personal and others' safety by reporting and resolving unsafe conditions.
  • Strictly adheres to all site policies on personal conduct and attendance.
  • Ensure accurate and complete documentation for equipment setup, challenges, cleaning, and maintenance; demonstrate Good Documentation Practices and promote data integrity standards among the team.
  • Actively identify, raise, and help manage quality deviations; provide timely, accurate information to Operations Managers, Quality, Maintenance and other areas to support investigations and CAPA.
  • Initiate incidents in CLUE and/or participate in quality investigations.
  • Collaborate to develop, review and update SOPs, work instructions, forms and other batch-related documents as required.
  • Coach team members on correct procedural execution and monitor adherence to identify training needs.
  • Lead or support quality and safety investigations related to equipment and process issues; apply root cause analysis tools to identify true root causes and implement appropriate corrective actions.
  • Perform and train staff on line clearance and contamination prevention procedures to reduce risk of mix-ups or cross contamination.
  • Ensure personal and team adherence to health and safety policies, proper gowning, PPE and housekeeping standards.
  • Participate in qualification, validation and technical documentation efforts, ensuring traceability and compliance with regulatory requirements.


Collaboration and Teamwork
  • Provide leadership and technical coaching to operations technician; act as a the primary train the trainer to develop site capability and increase first line problem resolution.
  • Pursue knowledge and skills in assigned area from an operations and equipment maintenance perspective and share that information readily with team.
  • Participate in new equipment installations by interfacing with equipment vendors, partnering with project engineering on testing/qualification activities, recommending spare parts, and assisting with the review of preventative maintenance plans.
  • Collaborate with others to drive improvements, prioritize repairs, and ensure timely communication of equipment issues.
  • Lead and participate in continuous improvement activities (5S, GEMBA, root cause analysis) to reduce waste, variability, and downtime while improving throughput and first-time quality.
  • Communicate effectively across shifts and functions; prepare and present technical findings, improvement proposals, and investigation outcomes in a clear and concise manner.
  • Participate in new equipment installations by interfacing with equipment vendors, partnering with project engineering on testing/qualification activities, recommending spare parts, and assisting with the review of preventative maintenance plans.
  • Participate in cross functional IPT meetings, and vendor interactions to ensure operational readiness and transfer of knowledge.


Education Requirements
  • High School Diploma or equivalent


Required Experience and Skills
  • 4 plus years of experience in a GMP manufacturing facility.
  • Minimum 3 years in a maintenance or Operations Technician (Technical) role with demonstrated troubleshooting and hands-on equipment experience.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude and working knowledge of electrical/control fundamentals.
  • Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot equipment utilizing a systematic approach to understand problems and determine appropriate solutions.
  • Experience in root cause analysis, continuous improvement and problem-solving methodologies.
  • Demonstrated leadership ability and experience training peers.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Able and willing to lift up to 50 lbs and work various shifts including occasional weekends or irregular hours.
  • Must be willing to work irregular hours to support multi-shift operation and/or weekends as needed.


Preferred Experience and Skills
  • Experience with SAP, MES, Tracksys, electronic logbooks, or PasEx systems.
  • Experience interfacing with vendors and supporting equipment qualification and commissioning.
  • Demonstrated ability and drive to work autonomously and help organize priorities and work with other team members.
  • Outstanding communication skills both within direct team and across multiple shifts to ensure success of overall team.
  • Ability to support technical writing of documents such as standard operating procedures (SOPs)


#MSJR

The salary range for this role is:

$63,800 - $100,400

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.

Required Skills:
Aseptic Operations, Aseptic Operations, Cleanroom Gowning, Computer Literacy, Continuous Process Improvement, Corrective Action Management, Equipment Maintenance, Fault Repair, GMP Compliance, GMP Documentation, GMP Training, Manufacturing Compliance, Master Batch Records, Operational Efficiency, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Process Improvement Projects, Production Scheduling, Project Engineering, Safety Compliance, Service Orders, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Writing, Teamwork, Technical Issues, Technical Writing Documentation, Union Experience {+ 1 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
1st - Day

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
N/A

Job Posting End Date:
06/11/2026
*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

About Merck & Co, Inc

Schering-Plough Corporation is a major U.S.-based manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. It operates in three segments: Prescription Pharmaceuticals, Animal Health, and Consumer Health Care. Schering-Plough develops products targeting on allergy, cancer, hepatitis, cardiovascular, central nervous system, respiratory system, and more.  It was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering as Schering AG in Germany. Schering-Plough manufactured several pharmaceutical drugs, the most well-known of which were the allergy drugs Claritin and Clarinex, an anti-cholesterol drug Vytorin, and a brain tumor drug Temodar. It also developed drugs targeting on central nervous system and the respiratory system. Schering Plough also owned and operated the major foot care brand name Dr. Scholl's and the skin care line Coppertone. These also became a part of the new company. Schering-Plough was a full member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), a membership which is also maintained by the new Merck.

Merck & Co, Inc Careers

Join the visionary team at Merck & Co, Inc, a global leader in healthcare dedicated to advancing the world of medicine. As part of our professional community, you'll find dynamic job opportunities that foster innovation and leadership across various fields. Merck & Co, Inc is not just a company; it's a place where you can make a difference.

Work You’ll Do

At Merck & Co, Inc, we are committed to improving global health through groundbreaking research and innovative healthcare solutions. Our team is at the forefront of developing new therapies and vaccines that significantly impact public health worldwide. By joining us, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, using your skills to contribute to projects that save and improve lives around the globe.

Explore Career Paths

Whether you're seeking an internship, a graduate opportunity, or a professional position, Merck & Co, Inc offers a range of career paths in environments that promote rapid professional growth and development. Explore job opportunities in research, digital transformation, manufacturing, and more, all while benefiting from a culture that supports diversity and inclusion.

Innovate and Lead

Merck & Co, Inc is an ideal environment for those who lead with curiosity and the drive to innovate. Our leadership is committed to fostering a culture where inventive thinking and collaboration are encouraged, making it a perfect place for professionals who seek to make an impact through their work.

Develop Your Skills

With Merck & Co, Inc, you are not just getting a job; you're gaining access to unparalleled career development opportunities. Enhance your skills through diverse training programs, workshops, and continuous learning courses designed to help you grow at every stage of your career.

Benefits and Culture

We understand that our employees are our greatest asset, which is why we offer competitive benefits designed to support the health and well-being of you and your family. From comprehensive health care coverage and retirement plans to flexible working conditions and wellness programs, our benefits package is designed to meet the diverse needs of our team members.

Join Our Team

Ready to advance your career at Merck & Co, Inc? Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for passionate, creative, and solution-driven team players. Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that's dedicated to making a difference.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Engage with us through our careers blog and by participating in networking events and employment fairs. Subscribe to receive personalized job alerts and the latest news tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Merck & Co, Inc. Join us in our mission to improve health and wellness around the world.
Learn more about Merck & Co, Inc
Size
68,000 employees
Market Cap
$282.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$7 billion
Founded
1668
5 Year Trend
+4.1%
Revenue
$47.9 billion
NASDAQ

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