Senior Maintenance & Operations Technician

Are you ready to use your experience and expertise to make an impact on patients' lives? Astellas Gene Therapies is a biotechnology company developing new genetic medicines for rare, life-threatening diseases. We are working urgently to progress our medicines and need additional team members to help us do so. Because our mission is so important, our values are to: Be BOLD: Find a Way, Care Deeply, and Get Stuff Done. If you'd like to be a part of this important mission, please apply to join our team.

About Astellas Gene Therapies

Astellas Gene Therapies is an Astellas Center of Excellence developing genetic medicines with the potential to deliver transformative value for patients. Based on an innovative scientific approach and industry leading internal manufacturing capability and expertise, we are currently exploring three gene therapy modalities: gene replacement, exon skipping gene therapy, and vectorized RNA knockdown and will also advance additional Astellas gene therapy programs toward clinical investigation. We are based in San Francisco, with manufacturing and laboratory facilities in South San Francisco and Sanford, North Carolina. Please visit our website at https://www.astellasgenetherapies.com .

About Astellas

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+® healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.

Our Values:

• Be BOLD (Find a Way)

• Care Deeply -- for our patients, each other and our work

• #GSD (Get Stuff Done)

What is the catalyst for you in your professional career? Are you ready to be a part of a bold, innovative company, to make a change and to make a difference? Listed below is a current opening for a smart, driven, experienced, and just plain nice individual who wants to join us and be a part of our journey.

The Role

Reporting to the Supervisor, Maintenance & Metrology, the Senior Maintenance & Operations Technician will be part of the Sanford Facilities & Engineering department supporting the manufacturing, labs, warehouse, and administrative areas. This position will be part of a small team that ensures the facilities, utility systems, and process/lab equipment remain in optimal operating condition. The role will be based in Sanford, NC.

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform the day-to-day operations of the central utility plant (CUP) in a safe and compliant manner using automated systems (e.g., BMS & EMS) and SOPs.

• Provide emergency and off-hour response to alarms (including holidays), and lead troubleshooting and recovery efforts.

• Communicate safety, quality, technical and training issues to team. Escalate non-conformances to management, initiate deviation/incident records, and participate in investigations as necessary.

• Ensure facilities are fit for use by maintaining cGxP and safety standards. Plan and perform routine and repair maintenance. Collaborate with management and planning to procure parts and services as necessary. Oversee and escort vendors performing maintenance or providing services.

• Create and complete work orders using a CMMS to maintain the facilities, utility systems, process and lab equipment. Ensure maintenance records are documented accurately and completely following GDP.

• Complete required training on schedule and maintain accurate training records.

• Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, equipment/service manuals, logic flow diagrams, and work orders to perform required operations, maintenance, and troubleshooting of systems/equipment. Use electronic/automated systems to trend performance and troubleshoot issues.

• Provide input for creation and revision of maintenance plans, spare parts inventory, and SOPs. Maintain spare part inventory.

• Partner with internal customers, colleagues, and support services to achieve department goals.

• Understand and adhere to internal and external regulations, procedures & policies.

About you

Must Have/Required

• High School diploma or GED with 8+ years of maintenance and operating experience in a GxP environment or comparable field or 4+ years of experience with applicable degree/certification/license (e.g., plumber, electrician, HVAC technician).

• 4+ years of experience maintaining and operating a utility plant with a BMS including HVAC&R (refrigeration, boilers, air handlers), compressed air generation and distribution gas, purified water, and wastewater treatment systems.

• Strong troubleshooting skills for electro-mechanical PLC and automated systems. Ability to perform right-first-time testing, adjustments, and repairs using approved procedures or technical experience when no procedure is available.

• Demonstrated experience reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, equipment/service manuals, logic flow diagrams, and work orders.

• Strong documentation and communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience using a variety of hand and power tools, electric meters, ladders, and safety equipment in performing duties.

• Knowledge of industrial air compressors and supporting equipment including distribution.

• Strong GxP knowledge and understanding.

• Team player with a successful history of working with other internal departments and external vendors.

• Incumbent must be able to work Monday-Friday from 7:30am-4:30pm during start-up phase, and after initial start-up phase, must be able to work an alternate shift schedule. * Shift schedules are subject to change to meet critical business demands.

• Proficiency with computerized systems such as CMMS and BMS, and MS Office suite.

• Flexible and able to excel and adapt to rapidly changing situations.

• Self-motivated and have the ability to handle multiple jobs with minimal supervision.

• Occasionally required to stand up to 6 hours a day. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms, stand; walk; talk or hear; and use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and lift up to 50 lbs.

• Models our Core Values: Be Bold, Care Deeply, #GetStuffDone -- is experienced as someone who exemplifies the culture we want to create; operates with transparency; is trusted.

May Have/Preferred

• Completion of a craft apprenticeship.

• Working experience planning and scheduling maintenance using a CMMS.

• Experience in maintaining adequate on-hand spare parts inventory or lead-time system in place to support responsible equipment.

• Understanding of PLC and BAS programing.

• Previous experience with a facility start-up.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

• Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation and Sick time, plus national holidays including year-end shut down

• 401(k) match and annual company contribution

• Company paid life insurance

• Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions

• Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions

• Referral bonus program

Category Facilities, Utilities & Maintenance

Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.

EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans