Job Description
Facility Operations Coordinator
Permanent, full‑time role with competitive pay and benefits in a specialist operational team
Location: Wellington -Upper Hutt, New Zealand - be part of a local team delivering essential facility operations
Career growth: fast‑track your skills in husbandry, health monitoring and systems work with clear progression pathways
Professional development: hands‑on training, project experience and mentorship to broaden technical and operational expertise
This role supports our company’s animal facility through direct husbandry and indirect systems and project support. Direct duties include breeding colony management, health observation and treatment, minor surgical assistance, documentation and record keeping, feeding and general husbandry, and other duties that maintain departmental operations. Indirect duties include managing the site procurement system and planning projects to improve systems or facilities.
The role requires some work outside normal hours and participation in weekend and holiday rosters to support the site.
What You Will Do
Responsibilities include, however not limited to:
Supports breeding and related programs by:
Performing assigned tasks to meet production targets
Documenting activities accurately in accordance with company standards
Maintaining the breeding database and assisting with breeding program planning
Monitoring health and providing or arranging appropriate treatments
Maintains animal welfare by:
Performing daily husbandry tasks in line with written procedures, including rostered weekend work
Delivering high standards of care in accordance with company standards and applicable animal welfare legislation
Administering and recording health treatments and monitoring outcomes in line with procedures
Recommending and implementing welfare improvement projects
Completing assigned ALASS (accredited) training units and maintaining stockmanship and health awareness
Using and storing controlled substances and restricted medicines in compliance with company procedures and legislation
Minimises deviations by:
Performing tasks according to procedures and policies
Investigating and reporting deviation events
Supports the facility by:
Managing the site procurement system and recommending facility improvements
Mentoring, guiding and monitoring casual staff and providing feedback
Ensuring casual staff comply with animal welfare requirements
Contributes to continuous improvement by:
Identifying and recommending improvements and authoring or reviewing procedures to ensure compliance
Writing and executing moderately complex change proposals and training colleagues in new or updated procedures
Supporting capital and system improvement projects of moderate complexity
What You Must have
Education
NZCA Level 2 or equivalent (e.g., New Zealand certificate or recognised animal care qualification)
Experience and skills
Prior experience in a laboratory animal environment
Ability to complete assigned ALASS training units
Physically fit for prolonged activity and able to lift and carry approximately 10 kg
Competent with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
Understanding of quality systems preferred
Demonstrated problem solving, decision making and project implementation skills
Key attributes
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Excellent written and verbal communication and the ability to positively influence others
Effective work planning to meet deadlines and a logical approach to problem solving
A clear focus on animal welfare
What You Can Expect
Autonomy in daily tasks with clear support from the Animal Services Manager and team
Practical on‑the‑job training and opportunities to upskill in husbandry, health monitoring and systems work
Exposure to varied operational and project work that expands career pathways and skills
A collaborative, supportive team environment with professional development and mentorship
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:
Animal Health Care, Animal Husbandry, Animal Management, Animal Observation, Animal Welfare, Detail-Oriented, Environmental Health And Safety, GMP Compliance, GMP Laboratory, Keen Observation, Laboratory Analytical Techniques, Laboratory Investigations, Meeting Deadlines, Quality Assurance Processes, Quality Standards, Recordkeeping, Safety Training Programs, Situational Awareness, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Writing, Strategic Procurement Planning, Surgical Assisting, Technical ProceduresPreferred Skills:
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
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:
04/18/2026*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.