Lead Technician - (Fermentation SME)
Job Description
Lead Technician - Fermentation SME
Based in Upper Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand
Play a critical role in supporting Animal Health site operations
Join a collaborative GMP manufacturing environment focused on quality, safety and continuous improvement
Contribute to unconstrained, compliant antigen supply that meets customer needs
As an IPT Lead Technician / Area Subject Matter Expert (SME), you will support frontline team execution and take ownership of technical area performance. You will lead by example, coach others, solve complex operational problems and help drive improvements across production, quality, safety and cost.
What You Will Do
Responsibilities include, however not limited to:
Leadership and Collaboration
Lead and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver technical area targets
Anticipate and solve complex production and operational problems
Challenge processes and procedures to identify quality, safety, process and cost improvements
Take a leading role in remediation activities and problem solving
Lead and coach Tier 1, On-Point and 8-Step Problem Solving activities
Communicate effectively to ensure alignment and collaboration across cross-functional teams
Coordinate and prioritise technician activities in your assigned area as needed
Projects and Continuous Improvement
Lead projects in your assigned area with cross-functional input
Support larger IPT and site projects as a representative of production
Contribute SME input to site projects, including capital projects and Process Hazard Assessments
Support site-wide safety and quality enablers relevant to your technical area
Provide clear visibility on system and project status to stakeholders
Analyse data and identify opportunities for improvement, providing practical recommendations
Production and Technical Execution
Execute make-test-release activities as needed during peak periods and as backup
Perform routine technical work outside of make-test-release protocols
Create and optimise procedures to support make-test-release processes
Own deviations, CAPAs, changes and Enablons within your assigned area
Train and coach production staff on production tasks and related work
Monitor POI and document flow to support timely batch release and process improvement
What You Must have
Strong team player with excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills
Ability to work in a GMP manufacturing environment
Demonstrated Clostridial vaccine knowledge and experience
Demonstrated experience in quality and EHS systems, problem solving, continuous improvement and project management
Prior individual leadership experience in a GMP-regulated biological or pharmaceutical manufacturing environment
working and thinking level in Biotechnology, Chemistry or equivalent
What You Can Expect
The opportunity to make a real impact in a criticalAnimal Health manufacturing environment
A role with leadership, technical depth and continuous improvement at its core
A collaborative team culture with opportunities to grow your expertise and influence site performance
Joining a collaborative team of likeminded individuals
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing talented and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive workplace.
Required Skills:
Accountability, Accountability, Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Autoclaving, Business Decisions, Cell Culture Process Development, Customer Support, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Equipment Designing, Filtering Equipment, Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Influencing Skills, Liquid Chromatography (LC), Manufacturing Documentation, Manufacturing Quality Control, Media Preparation, Multidisciplinary Teamwork, Process Control, Product Development, Production Scheduling, Product Testing, Root Cause Identification {+ 3 more}Preferred Skills:
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Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.
Employee Status:
RegularRelocation:
VISA Sponsorship:
Travel Requirements:
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not ApplicableShift:
Valid Driving License:
Hazardous Material(s):
Job Posting End Date:
10/3/2026*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.