Overview

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The Lead Pharmacy Automation Technician serves as the primary technical and operational expert for pharmacy automation across assigned production areas. This role provides hands-on leadership, advanced troubleshooting, workflow coordination, and training support for the Pharmacy Automation Technician team.

The Lead is responsible for overseeing daily automation performance, ensuring the safe and compliant operation of all equipment, monitoring quality outputs, coordinating staffing and machine assignments, and serving as the first point of escalation for mechanical, operational, and quality-related issues. The role partners closely with Production Mechanics, Supervisors, and cross-functional partners to ensure production goals are met while maintaining the highest Pharmacy Quality and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

Regulatory & Safety Compliance

• Ensure technician team adherence to all Board of Pharmacy regulations, SOPs, equipment manuals, OSHA standards, and safety guidelines.
• Reinforce compliance behaviors through daily coaching and corrective action guidance.
• Conduct spot-checks to validate documentation accuracy, quality standards, and safe machine operation.

Automation Leadership, Operation & Workflow Coordination

• Oversee daily automation operations across multiple production lines.
• Assign machines, workstations, or responsibilities to team technicians based on skill level and production needs.
• Serve as subject-matter expert on various pharmacy fulfillment technologies.
• Ensure raw materials and hoppers are consistently stocked to maintain optimal throughput.
• Validate proper equipment calibration, sensor function, and alignment before and during runs.

Quality Assurance & Advanced Issue Resolution

• Monitor output and in-process quality checks across all automated systems.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting, minor repairs, and component replacements; guide technicians through more complex issues.
• Identify systemic quality or equipment-related trends and recommend process or equipment improvements.
• Document and communicate defects, variances, and corrective actions according to SOP.

Team Leadership & Communication

• Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and technical guidance to Pharmacy Automation Technicians.
• Support onboarding, training, and ongoing skills development for new and existing team members.
• Deliver clear and timely communication regarding production goals, workflow changes, downtime, and priority tasks.
• Model teamwork, professionalism, and a positive production floor environment.

Collaboration & Escalation

• Serve as the first-level escalation point for complex operational or mechanical issues.
• Partner with Production Mechanics, Quality, and Supervisors to resolve high-impact equipment or workflow interruptions.
• Communicate status updates and issue summaries to leadership promptly and clearly.

Maintenance, Documentation & Administrative Duties

• Ensure technicians complete all required cleaning, sanitation, preventive maintenance, and shutdown procedures.
• Validate accuracy of daily production logs, maintenance records, and variance documentation.
• Support audits, inspections, and compliance reviews by providing accurate and organized documentation.

The above duties are meant to be representative of the position and not all-inclusive

Qualifications

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• High School diploma or equivalent
• State-specific Pharmacy Technician License, or commitment to completing the ‘technician in training’ requirements approved by the state-specific Board of Pharmacy, within 6 months of hire date
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Two (2) years of previous specialty pharmacy technician experience with exposure to fulfillment of prescription orders
• Two (2) years of pharmacy operations or logistics experience
• Nationally certified through the PTCB or another approved certifying agency
• Previous lead, mentor, or coordinator experience strongly preferred.
• Advanced experience with automated dosing, packaging, or dispensing equipment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

•  Strong technical aptitude with advanced mechanical troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to guide and mentor a team in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong technical understanding and expertise
• Ability to diagnose and treat mechanical problems quickly and effectively
• Good hand-eye coordination and steady hands
• Strong communication skills with co-workers, management, and mechanics
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills
• High attention to detail
• Ability to learn from a variety of techniques
• Ability to follow established process flows
• Basic math skills
• Ability to recognize subtle differences in names and numbers
• Ability to work effectively in highly stressful situations, exhibiting flexibility in changing situations
• Computer literacy to include operating systems, Microsoft Office Suite, presentation software, communication and collaboration tools, and Adobe PDF or comparable

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Location of job activities 100% inside
• Noise and / or vibrations exposure
• Reaching (overhead), handling, and feeling
• Stand, bend, stoop and sit for prolonged periods of time
• Lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.