Senior Operations Technician (SUBS)

Role Summary

Senior Operations Technician (SUBS) – 1st shift (7AM-3:30PM) in the Single Use Bioprocessing Department at the Animal Health facility in De Soto, Kansas. Responsible for ownership of manufacturing processes for large-scale antigen production, with duties spanning fermentation, preparation and sterilization of equipment and media, downstream processing, and blending of final vaccines prior to sterile filling. Provides daily leadership in the absence of the Departmental Coach and supports site safety and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute manufacturing processes for the large-scale production of Mycoplasma Strain 11 Antigen and other department products.
• Oversee fermentation activities from seed scale-up to large-scale culture fermentations; set up and operate stainless-steel vessels and concentration equipment.
• Prepare and sterilize equipment and media components; perform downstream processing for serial batching and blending of final vaccines prior to sterile filling.
• Ensure weekly completion and adherence to production schedules; contribute to team production activities.
• Document activities using Good Documentation Practices; identify opportunities for process improvement; apply basic problem-solving skills.
• Deputize for the Departmental Coach and demonstrate daily leadership; support and train team members on basic laboratory procedures.
• Operate and work with gamma radiated single-use equipment where applicable.
• Occasional weekend work as required.

Qualifications

• Required Education: High school diploma or GED; Associates or Bachelor's in Science or Engineering preferred.
• Required Experience And Skills: 1+ years in biological or biomedical industry; experience scaling up antigens or processing culture fluids; experience aseptic procedures; ability to follow Manufacturing Directions, SOPs, and regulatory policies; basic time management; ability to train others; strong teamwork and initiative; proficient oral and written communication.
• Preferred Experience And Skills: Leadership experience in manufacturing; experience in large-scale antigen growth; experience with large-scale filtration and separation techniques; experience using SAP; experience with Single Use Bioreactors, aseptic sterile connectors and equipment.

Skills

• Accountability
• Aseptic Operations
• Cleanroom Gowning
• Computer Literacy
• GMP Compliance
• GMP Documentation
• GMP Training
• Master Batch Records
• Mechanical Equipment Maintenance
• Operations Management
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Production Scheduling
• Safety Compliance
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Writing
• Teamwork
• Union Experience
• Veterinary Medicine
• Work Performance

Education

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associates or Bachelor's in Science or Engineering discipline preferred.