Assoc. Dir - Large Molecule External Manufacturing Technology, Network & Viral Lead

Job Description

Welcome to our team

We are looking for a Large Molecule (LM) drug substance leader who will be eligible for advanced projects, deep trouble shooting and innovation projects. The global External Manufacturing Technology Group is a fast-growing area of the manufacturing network tasked with ensuring reliable, safe and compliant manufacturing of drug substance and drug products. Specifically, we manage tech transfer projects from R&D and inline nodes, develop or continuously innovate processes, and manage commercial supply issues including trouble shooting, post approval changes and deviations.  The technical vertical External Manufacturing is the steward of the processes and is responsible for end to end project management of R&D and inline projects. Our Company's Animal Health has both large and small molecule external networks and this opportunity is covering the Large Molecule drug substance as the primary focus.

 

Responsibilities Include:

• This new position is a pivotal role in the management of our LM drug substance portfolio in our global CMO (Contract Manufacturing Organizations) network, including responsibilities primarily in the commercial space supporting tech. As overall leader or technical leader you will be focusing on leveraging external suppliers for LM drug substance process transfer and/or development, scale up, full-scale production and commercial lifecycle management. You will be part of the External Manufacturing Technology Management Group and will be responsible for a portfolio of LM drug substance projects and/or supply nodes with a focus on in-line supply. The potential project types include sourcing, technical transfer, R&D, process improvement & innovation, and trouble shooting. The focus of this role is on network transfers for viral products.
• In addition, spot audits and sourcing support on behalf of other team members will be required at times.
• The role is global with a key focus on US and is a perfect fit for individuals with a strong drive for excellence and achieving tangible business results. Critical Skills include strategic thinking and proactive project management with business and technical acumen, verbal communication, and electronic communication.  The individual needs to be able to act independently and travel as needed.
• At the Associate Director level, a focus will be placed on the technical leadership during all aspects of drug substance sourcing, tech transfer, process development, commercialization, and subsequent lifecycle management.  Once a supplier is selected, the individual will then be fully responsible for end-to-end execution of the project as the leader of execution managing both the internal drug product customers and the external supplier during the technical transfer or process development.  Once the technical transfer, validation and regulatory approval for a sourcing project is completed and ready for assignment to in-line supply, leadership of our Company's Animal Health Supplier Technical Management program will be expected.  In addition, each member of the technology team will contribute to generating innovation and systems improvements as appropriate.
• The individual will be expected to partner with our Network team, Global Procurement, other functions in Science & Technology (S&T), Quality Assurance (QA) and our internal site manufacturing network to complete network transfer, global sourcing & development projects. Here the individual will define the requested services including generating technical packages, lead technical due diligence for supplier selection, and verify that the aspects of supplier selection are considered appropriately, including assurance of supply, quality, service, cost and innovation.
• At all times, the individual must be adept at managing customer relationships, internal to the company and external suppliers.
• Supplier Technical Management will be conducted to ensure the on time and full delivery of drug substance to our Company's Animal Health.  The individual will be expected to manage a defined set of suppliers and act as steward for select drug substances and:
  • Lead cross functional meetings with the external suppliers and company's internal personnel to monitor the technical aspects of the relationship including tracking all changes, deviations, and improvement projects.
  • Lead the process change team inside of our Company's Animal Health working closely with our internal or external formulation facilities, regulatory, and quality to execute changes at the supplier.
  • Follow up on deviations and ensure they are resolved quickly and appropriately.
  • Ensure appropriate knowledge management of drug substance technology.
  • Develop and pursue innovation projects with the supplier to improve process efficiency and reduce Cost of Goods (COGs)
  • For R&D projects guide process development at the supplier. Leverage appropriate software systems including for supplier communication and change control.
• Importantly, for all assignments the Associate Director must:
  • Provide strong leadership and business acumen for project management and lead cross-functional team members effectively. 
  • Display our company's leadership behaviors and demonstrate a high emotional intelligence.
  • Create overall project schedules including input from cross-functional partners (regulatory, formulation, supply chain, quality, procurement, R&D) and ensure they are appropriate for the project delivering end to end outcomes.
  • Work closely with external suppliers to proactively develop or assess the manufacturing process, evaluate processing equipment and limit risks during scale up, transfer or process changes.
  • Present status updates via Microsoft Power Point in the relevant governance forum meetings
• As required, the individual will assist communications with the suppliers during trouble shooting or visit facilities to conduct due diligence.

 

Education Required: 

Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering or comparable

 

Required Experience or Skills:

• Minimum 10 yrs. of relevant experience
• The candidate must have experience in development of viral vaccines and a wide array of LM drug substances (monoclonal antibodies, antigens for vaccines, antibody drug conjugates, m-RNA etc.) as well as a demonstrated high level of technical capability.
• A minimum of 5 years spent in LM process development roles.
• A strong business acumen, communication skills, and a proven track record of managing projects in the areas of sourcing, process development & commercialization, tech transfer, manufacturing process troubleshooting and supply of biotechnology products.
• Strong Leadership attributes including a global mindset.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams with an end-to-end supply chain view.
• Ability to collaborate across functions and geographies and support global activities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to maintain strong working relationships with technical, quality and operations leaders in the internal and external network.
• Ability to use the Microsoft suite of applications and scheduling tools (Microsoft Project, Primavera etc.).

 

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• PhD in Biochemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering or comparable with a minimum 7 yrs. of relevant experience.
• Deep understanding and experience in process scale up for LM drug substances.
• Expertise in trouble shooting of upstream and downstream operations.
• Demonstrated track record of managing technical project in global CMOs.
• Experience in due diligence audits of CMOs.
• Working knowledge of Regulatory strategy and execution in EU and US (FDA and/or USDA).   
• Six Sigma and/or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.

Travel: 15 to 20%

 

Required Skills:

Biologics, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Manufacturing, Process Development (PD), Product Transfers, Project Leadership, Project Management Leadership, Technical Transfer, Technology Transfer, Vaccine Manufacturing, Vaccine Production, Vendor Evaluations

Preferred Skills:

Contract Manufacturing, External Manufacturing, Process Scale Up, Regulatory Strategies, Technical Project Leadership, Technical Project Management

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

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The salary range for this role is

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

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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:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

Yes

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

10/13/2026

*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.