Associate Director, Quality Control

MSD; Carlow; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. is seeking an Associate Director of Quality Control at our Carlow site to lead the Bioassay and Chemistry teams, ensuring testing, stability and release samples meet regulatory standards.

The role provides expert analytical support, including investigations and transfers, while driving safety, quality and cost efficiency across QC. The successful candidate will mentor managers, align site goals with department objectives, and partner with cross-functional teams to deliver

Qualifications

• Strong analytical aptitude and critical thinking skills.
• In-depth knowledge of GMP and GLP regulations.
• Knowledge of analytical validation and transfer requirements.
• Lean Six Sigma experience.
• Analytical testing experience in a pharmaceutical laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, coach, and support managers and senior team members within the QC department.
• Align site deliverables with department goals and objectives.
• Ensure lab KPIs are achieved to support supply targets.
• Oversee laboratory readiness for new product introductions.
• Ensure compliance with global and regulatory requirements, promoting safety and quality culture.
• Manage QC-related issues, including atypical results and investigations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including digital technologies adoption.
• Collaborate with cross-functional site teams to meet regulatory requirements.
• Manage laboratory budget and costs to achieve financial targets.
• Liaise with global partners on technical transfer and validation strategies.
• Implement and sustain Lean thinking and continuous improvement programmes.

Skills

Analytical Method Development

Bioanalytical Method Development

Biochemistry

Biogeochemistry

Biological Sciences

Biomedical Sciences

Biostatistics

GMP Compliance

Immunochemistry

Instrumentation

Laboratory Management

Lean Six Sigma (LSS)

Manufacturing Compliance

Method Development

New Product Introduction Process

People Leadership

Pharmaceutical Management

Phytochemistry

Quality Leadership

Quality Standards

Regulatory Requirements

Strategic Thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry/Chemistry/Biosciences

Job description

Job Description

An exciting opportunity to join our Carlov site as an Associate Director of Quality Control. The Associate Director of Quality Control (QC) will play a pivotal leadership role, overseeing the Bioassay and Chemistry teams responsible for testing, stability, and release samples for the site and supporting partner and sister sites.

This position also provides expert analytical support, including analytical investigations and analytical transfers, while driving compliance, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across the QC function.

Bring energy, knowledge, innovation, and leadership to carry out the following:

• Leading, developing, coaching, and supporting managers and senior team members within the quality control department.
• Align site deliverables with department goals and objectives.
• Ensure lab KPIs are achieved to support supply targets.
• Oversee laboratory readiness for new product introductions.
• Ensure compliance with global and regulatory requirements, promoting a strong culture of safety and quality.
• Manage QC-related issues, including atypical results, out-of-specification investigations, and significant quality investigations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including the adoption of digital technologies to improve efficiency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional site teams, including QC Operations, IPT, Automation Compliance, Regulatory, Technical Engineering, and C&Q teams, to ensure regulatory requirements are met.
• Manage laboratory budget and costs, ensuring financial targets are achieved.
• Liaise with global partners on technical transfer and validation strategies.
• Implement and sustain continuous improvement programmes, Lean principles, and Lean thinking.

Skills you will bring

• Strong analytical aptitude and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to apply key scientific and technical concepts effectively.
• Proven ability to develop talent through strong mentoring and coaching.
• In-depth knowledge of GMP and GLP regulations.
• Knowledge of analytical validation and transfer requirements.
• Strong Lean Six Sigma experience.
• Third-level qualification in a science-related discipline, ideally Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biosciences, or equivalent.
• Analytical testing experience in a pharmaceutical laboratory.
• 10+ years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including significant leadership experience and front-line supervisory experience in an operations environment.

Our facility in Carlow site broke ground in 2008 and is a filling site for the launch and commercial supply of vaccines, biologics and small molecule drug product. Since its initial launch, the site has attracted significant internal investment and is now home to a number of state-of-the-art production facilities, laboratories and temperature-controlled warehousing units. The Carlow site is a significant employer in the South East region and attracts high performing talent through close collaborations with universities and colleges in the region.

We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world's most challenging healthcare needs. As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together.

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date: 08/27/2026*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.

Required Skills

• Adaptability
• Adaptability
• Analytical Method Development
• Bioanalytical Method Development
• Biochemistry
• Biogeochemistry
• Biological Sciences
• Biomedical Sciences
• Biostatistics
• Driving Continuous Improvement
• GMP Compliance
• Immunochemistry
• Instrumentation
• Laboratory Management
• Lean Six Sigma (LSS)
• Manufacturing Compliance
• Method Development
• New Product Introduction Process
• People Leadership
• Pharmaceutical Management
• Phytochemistry
• Quality Leadership
• Quality Standards
• Regulatory Requirements
• Strategic Thinking {+ 1 more}

Preferred Skills

No preferred skills listed.

Recruiter and Agency Notice

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.