Equipment Operator

The Equipment Operator ensures the execution of secondary packaging activities for ophthalmic products in compliance with GMP regulations, company procedures, and established quality, safety, and productivity requirements.

Key responsibilities:Operate and run automated secondary packaging lines for ophthalmic products, performing set-up, changeover, and start-up activities.Manage the proper feeding of packaging materials and monitor equipment performance, promptly reporting any abnormalities.Perform Line Clearance, Line Checks, and in-process controls to ensure product compliance with quality requirements.Verify correct coding, serialization, aggregation, and readability of variable data, while ensuring proper handling of non-conforming products.Operate in compliance with GMP, Data Integrity, HSE requirements, and company procedures, ensuring full traceability and accurate completion of production documentation.Support investigations related to process deviations and anomalies, and participate in internal and external audits and inspections.Perform line cleaning activities and collaborate with Quality Assurance, MS&T, Engineering, and Maintenance to ensure operational continuity.Contribute to Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, digitalization, qualification, and validation initiatives, helping to reduce waste, line downtime, and deviations.Essential requirements: Technical high school diploma or equivalent secondary education qualification, preferably in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, or Chemical disciplines; previous experience in the pharmaceutical, medical device, or sterile packaging industry is considered a plus.Experience in manufacturing or industrial packaging operations, preferably within GMP-regulated environments.Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and secondary packaging processes; experience with sterile or ophthalmic product packaging is advantageous.Familiarity with production IT systems such as MES, SAP, or equivalent platforms, as well as serialization, aggregation, and traceability processes.Understanding of vision systems, checkweighers, laser/inkjet printers, Track & Trace solutions, and quality inspection cameras.Strong attention to detail, accuracy in documentation, and a quality- and compliance-focused mindset with a strong commitment to safety and procedural adherence.Effective teamwork, operational problem-solving skills, flexibility, continuous improvement mindset, and the ability to identify and escalate quality risks and process deviations.Availability to work in shifts and participate in ongoing training; contributes to achieving key performance indicators including production plan adherence, Right First Time, waste and deviation reduction, GMP compliance, audit readiness, line efficiency (OEE), and documentation accuracy.Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.Why Novartis?Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions. Be a part of this mission and join us! Learn more here: https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-cultureJoin our Novartis Network: If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to learn more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/networkAccessibility and accommodation:Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to receive more detailed information about the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.