Novo Nordisk in West Lebanon, pictured here, is looking to expand its workforce by 40 people in 2024, by 10% of its current count of about 400 employees. (Courtesy photo)
Novo Nordisk in West Lebanon is looking to hire 40 people in 2024, a 10% increase in its current headcount of about 400 as it continues its work to improve the lives of people with certain ailments.
A broad range of workers with a variety of skill sets is being sought, according to Peter Gariepy, corporate vice president at the Upper Valley facility, including quality control, quality assurance, manufacturing, warehousing, information technology, engineering, finance, maintenance and more.
The West Lebanon facility, celebrating its 10th anniversary in August, makes what are called active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for two ailments specific to Hemophilia A and growth hormone disorder.
“We need to build our employees here so that we can meet that growing patient demand in those areas,” said Mackey.
The West Lebanon plant is part of the Novo Nordisk network of production sites and research and development centers around the world. The Danish pharmaceutical company has 16 production sites in nine countries and 10 research and development centers in five countries.
The company says that, as part of Novo Nordisk’s long-term plan, the West Lebanon facility in the future may produce other new bio-pharmaceutical ingredients from Novo Nordisk’s development portfolio.
The company has a footprint of 215,000 square feet on 16.2 acres in West Lebanon.
Mackey said its current physical plant is large enough to handle the expected growth of its workforce.
It, like companies throughout the state, faces certain hiring challenges.
“Our challenges are probably very similar to other companies in our region, which are really kind of geared around our local environment with housing and child care,” said Mackey.
Lebanon is located in Grafton County, the Upper Valley region, which is also home to Hanover.
The most recent New Hampshire Realtors Association data shows the median-priced home in Grafton County is $480,000, while the townhouse/condominium price is $326,225. That compares with a statewide median of $530,000 and $405,000 respectively.
In Lebanon itself, the median price for a single-family is $533,000, according to the data. In nearby Hanover, the median price for a house is $1,410,000.
“It’s definitely a challenge for us in this region, and you’ve seen it across the state,” said Mackey.
Depending on the production needs, the facility can be running 24 hours. While the manufacturing requires an in-person workforce, other jobs might have an accommodation for a hybrid work schedule of in-person and remote.
“We’re a manufacturing facility, so most of our workforce, of course, has to be there in person to make the products to take care of our patients,” said Mackey. “That would be the majority, but of course, as a company, we do offer flexible workspace. So, in certain roles, we can — working specifically with the team leaders — accommodate some flexibility.”
Novo Nordisk puts a heavy emphasis on its mission as a reason for working there. A fact sheet it uses in its marketing says: “We are parents, colleagues, neighbors and friends — people living with the complexities of serious diseases. And we believe in the combination of science and soul to bring better health outcomes to those living with rare chronic conditions.
We live this mission at Novo Nordisk every day to benefit patients, their families, as well as the broader community.”
Stacy Dameron, senior manager human services, said it’s the same message for recruiting workers.
“We talk a lot about our purpose and the patients that we serve,” she said, “and we do spend some time highlighting how we offer careers here and employee development and growth paths that we’ve clearly defined throughout the past couple of years to make sure that we’re able to speak to the candidates and what their needs are and what they’re looking for.”
