As the CEO of a trusted and well-established healthcare recruiting agency, staying informed about the latest developments in the healthcare industry is both a responsibility and a passion. Understanding emerging trends and gaining insights through conversations with our valued clients allows me to anticipate changes and adapt strategies that ensure we continue to meet the evolving needs of healthcare organizations and professionals alike.
When I first published this blog in March, I asked: Have you kept up with the news on pharmaceutical production? Merck has invested more than $12B towards their U.S. capital since 2018, with another $8B capital investment expected by 2028. This includes a $1B expansion of their Durham, NC plant where they will manufacture Gardasil. Not to be outmatched, Johnson & Johnson announced it has earmarked $55B over the next four years in order to boost their U.S. production capacity. The total figure includes some already planned commitments and charts out 3 new manufacturing facilities beginning with Wilson, NC.
Now, there is more to add. The headlines read like a pharmaceutical race – or PR stunt? – to those who can spend the most and create the most jobs with U.S. manufacturing the fastest. This week, Roche, a Swiss pharma giant, pledged to invest $50B in the US over the next 5 years; while others like Eli Lilly pledged $27B; J&J at $55B and Merck at $12B over the past few months.
The combination of a pharmaceutical industry grossing $634B in 2024 with consistent annual growth paired with the conversations the current US administration has around potential import tariffs, it’s not surprising that pharmaceutical leaders are getting ahead of the game.
In the article below, I unpack the potential impact on the North Carolina area as that is where the focus of the J&J and Merck funded was expected to hit. Towards the end of this article, I’ve now added more information about other areas we might expect a local impact.
What Does this Mean for North Carolina, For Jobs
In Johnson & Johnson’s press release March 21, 2025, they touted the job creation as a big win for North Carolina, expecting to engage 5,000 jobs during plant construction and over 500 long term positions once the plan opens. Merck did not call out specific job expectations but with both of these new plants going up near the Raleigh metropolitan, you can expect a flurry of new opportunities for job seekers.
Job Titles & Positions in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Pharmaceutical manufacturing plants can host an entire ecosystem of roles depending on what product is being produced. Here are several of the common positions you’d find. Those marked with ** indicate those that may be entry-level with on the job training.
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Manufacturing Chemical Engineer
- Manufacturing Associate**
- Manufacturing Engineering Manager
- Director of Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Technician
- Manufacturing Quality Control Technician or Associate**
- Manufacturing Quality Assurance Technician or Associate**
- Manufacturing Process Technician**
- Manufacturing Process Engineer
- Manufacturing Production Supervisor
Considering moving to NC for a pharmaceutical manufacturing job?
If you’re considering moving to North Carolina for a pharmaceutical manufacturing position, here are a few pieces of information you’ll want to consider.
Quick Stats on North Carolina
First, at the highest level, I always point people to spend some time on Livability.com. Here you’ll see a summary of quick facts: NC has an average household income of $66K, average property tax of 1.2K, State population of 10.6M, 4.75% sales tax and 4.99% state income tax.
Dive a little deeper into North Carolina
Want to know more about the people, geography, homes, schools and attractions? Did you know that Durham and Raleigh both made the list of the top 11 places to live in North Carolina? And, here’s a great read on the 20 things you should do during your first year living in North Carolina.
What does this mean for you?
As the pharmaceutical manufacturing space continues to explode between the growth of the industry and the need for local manufacturing, the jobs will follow. Whether you’re a seasoned pharmaceutical manufacturing professional or an entry-level individual looking to try a new challenge; or you need to expedite hiring quality candidates, Healthcare Recruiters International is here to help you find the right fit for a long-term or short-term position. Please submit your resume today or see our job board for current listings to get started.
