Associate Director (m/f/d), EU Digital S&T Lead

MSD

Unterschleißheim

On-site

EUR 150,000 - 190,000

Full time

8 days ago

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Job summary

MSD in Unterschleißheim seeks an Associate Director, EU Digital S&T Lead to drive data-enabled digital strategy for EU capital projects, bridging design and shop-floor realities.

You will align IT/OT design, manage complex system integration across PQ, PPQ, and commercialization, and deliver measurable cost reductions and improved RFT. This senior role partners with global teams and external IT partners.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, or related discipline.
Significant manufacturing/operational experience in regulated or complex environments.
Strong track record implementing digital technology (e.g., MES) and scale-up processes.

Responsibilities

Define and drive S&T Data Enablement and IT architecture strategies for EU capital projects.
Ensure digital solutions deliver measurable business value and improved RFT/yield.
Oversee integration of SCADA, MES, LIMS, QM, ERP systems with Data Lakes for real-time analytics.
Apply robust CSV-compliant deployment and agile governance across digital workstreams.

Skills

Agile Principles

Business Management

Capital Projects

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Cross-Functional Teamwork

ICT Strategy

Manufacturing Environments

Problem Management

Process Scale Up

Quality Management

Research and Development

Software Development Life Cycle

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, or related discipline

Job description

Job Description Role Summary The Associate Director, EU Digital S&T Lead is a key leadership role responsible for executing the digital and data strategy for major capital projects within the EU (including key Boxmeer projects BOND & IDEFIX, and the Unterschleissheim project MUSE). Bridging the gap between digital design and the operational realities of manufacturing, this role ensures key Animal Health EU facilities are built upon a robust, modern digital foundation. The S&T Digital Lead serves as a strategic and pragmatic contributor—shaping local IT/OT design and guiding complex systems integration across the entire project lifecycle, from initial concept through Performance Qualification (PQ), Process Performance Qualification (PPQ), and routine commercial manufacturing. A primary objective is to ensure digital investments yield measurable business value by championing scalable Data Enablement strategies, leveraging enterprise Data Lakes and cloud platforms to lower operational costs, improve Right-First-Time (RFT) rates, and drive the seamless adoption of digital workflows on the shop floor.

Responsibilities and Primary Activities

S&T Data Enablement & IT Strategy: Act as the primary S&T Digital Lead to define and execute robust Data Enablement and IT architecture strategies for EU capital projects. Leverage enterprise Data Lakes, cloud platforms, and advanced data pipelines to build solutions that truly work cross-functionally across the entire S&T network. Ensure critical data connectivity and seamless knowledge-sharing across S&T teams.
Lifecycle Management & Business Outcomes (PQ/PPQ to Commercialization): Manage digital solutions beyond the project delivery phase, ensuring active utilization and optimization during manufacturing scale-up (PQ/PPQ) and routine commercial production. Translate software and digital capabilities into measurable business value, specifically targeting operational cost reductions and improvements in RFT and yield metrics.
Complex Systems Integration & Technical Support: Provide deep technical expertise and architectural guidance on a broad spectrum of IT enabler systems. Drive the technical implementation of core manufacturing and IT enabling systems, ensuring SCADA, MES, LIMS, QM, Veeva (Reliance), and ATLAS (ERP) are seamlessly integrated into enterprise Data Lakes to enable real-time data access and advanced analytics.
Methodology, Tools, & Agile Governance: Apply standard software deployment methodologies, IT project management, and agile governance across all digital workstreams. Ensure compliance with Computer System Validation (CSV) requirements and provide clear visibility into project performance, risks, and ROI.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management: Serve as the critical liaison bridging IT developers and S&T/Manufacturing end-users, ensuring that deployed software solutions directly address shop-floor realities and scientific workflows. Partner with IT, Quality, Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain to resolve complex technical issues. Build strong relationships across the network, including close partnership with the North America Digital Lead and external IT consulting partners.

Required Qualifications, Skills, & Experience

Minimum Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, or a related discipline.
Significant experience in manufacturing, technical operations, or related operational excellence environments, including regulated or complex manufacturing settings beyond pharmaceuticals.
Strong experience in digital technology implementation (e.g., MES), process scale-up, or manufacturing science.
Understanding of manufacturing environments, with Small Molecule and/or Large Molecule experience considered beneficial but not mandatory.
Experience managing projects or technology workstreams in a matrix organization.
Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Preferred Experience

Preferred Experience across a Pharmaceutical or Biological manufacturing network.
Deep expertise in MES implementation and integration with systems like ERP, LIMS, and automation layers.
Exposure to digital tools supporting manufacturing or technology transfer execution.
Experience supporting regulatory inspections or audits related to digital systems.
Understanding of global supply chain and network strategy concepts.

What we offer

The opportunity to contribute to high impact technology transfers, supporting supply continuity and manufacturing excellence across our network. You will work in a collaborative, global environment while building expertise in transfer execution, governance and continuous improvement. Benefits are competitive and aligned with the level and scope of the role.

Animal Health

Our Animal Health Division is a trusted global leader in veterinary medicine, dedicated to improving the health, wellbeing and performance of animals and the people who care for them. Through our commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals, we provide a broad portfolio of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and digital solutions, supported by strong research and development and a modern global supply chain.

Employer

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA.

Employment Details

Employee Status: Regular
Relocation: VISA Sponsorship: Travel Requirements: Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
Shift: Valid Driving License: Hazardous Material(s): Job Posting End Date: 11/13/2026
Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.

Required Skills