Improvement Lead (Packaging)

Merck; Noord-Brabant; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3% year-end bonus

Annual performance bonus

35.5 days leave per year

Solid Pension Plan

Travel allowance for commuting

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Merck Animal Health in Boxmeer is seeking an Improvement Lead (Packaging) to drive strategic initiatives across the IPT Packaging. You will manage a portfolio of improvement projects, prioritizing automation, data-driven decisions and Lean Six Sigma to boost efficiency, quality and safety.

You will collaborate with Operations, M&R, Quality, IT and Supply Chain, developing the team and applying Lean Six Sigma and Change Management to deliver sustainable improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant (technical) field.
• Proven experience leading project-based improvement initiatives in a production environment (Pharma, Food, Chemical).
• Experience coaching, training, and influencing people across functions and levels.
• Green Belt certification required (Lean Six Sigma).
• Strong analytical mindset with comfort working with data and KPIs; digital tools familiar.
• Interest in automation, digitization, and AI-enabled improvement is a strong advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Improvement Team (13 employees).
• Help define IPT strategy aligned with site transformation roadmap.
• Govern the project portfolio including new product introductions and automation projects.
• Initiate and manage initiatives to stabilize and improve packaging processes using Lean Six Sigma and data analysis.
• Ensure effective application of Lean Six Sigma, PM, Change Management and digital tools.
• Support cross-functional issue resolution with data-driven decision making.
• Contribute to data-driven culture via dashboards, KPI reviews, and routines.
• Prioritize IPT KPIs with a focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Explore opportunities where automation and analytics can improve decision quality and productivity.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Project Management

Data Analytics

Change Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in a technical field

Green Belt certification

Tools

LEAN SIX SIGMA tools

Data Visualization / Dashboards

Job description

We are looking for a hands‑on, people-centered process thinker who combines operational excellence with a curiosity for automation, digitization, and data‑driven improvement.

For our Animal Health location in Boxmeer we are currently recruiting an Improvement Lead (Packaging)

Welkom to our team

Our location in Boxmeer is the largest facility within our global Animal Health network, focused on the development, production, and packaging of high-quality vaccines and medicines for various animal species. The production organization includes several Integrated Process Teams (IPTs) and Centers of Excellence (CoEs). The IPT Packaging, with 160 FTEs, is responsible for the secondary packaging of our products according to GMP standards and works according to our in-house developed production system (MPS), which is based on Lean Six Sigma and inclusion principles. The IPT consists of four production teams, a Maintenance & Reliability team (M&R) and an Improvement Team. The IPT is characterized by a strong investment climate and is evolving into an advanced high-tech environment by integrating innovative technologies and automation.

About the role

As a member of the IPT Management Team and reporting to the IPT Lead, you play a leading role in driving strategic initiatives within the Packaging department. You are responsible for managing the portfolio of improvement projects, ranging from new product introductions and process improvements to major capital investments. In this role, you identify, prioritize, and implement improvement initiatives across the packaging process to enhance performance, eliminate waste, and improve efficiency, quality, and safety. You work closely with Operations, M&R, Quality, IT and Supply Chain to deliver sustainable process improvements and to unlock the value of automation, data, and digital solutions. In addition, you develop the team and the IPT in the application of Lean Six Sigma, Project Management, Change Management, and data-driven decision-making tools.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Managing and developing the Improvement Team (13 employees), building a capable and engaged team with the skills needed for future ways of working.
• Contributing to defining the IPT strategy, aligned with the site strategy and long-term transformation roadmap.
• Governing the project portfolio, including new product introductions, process optimization, automation, and digital improvement initiatives.
• Initiating and managing initiatives to stabilize and improve packaging processes using Lean Six Sigma, data analysis, and structured problem solving.
• Assuring effective application of Lean Six Sigma, Project Management, Change Management, and digital improvement tools.
• Supporting the business in investigating and solving complex cross-functional issues using the right techniques, data, and stakeholder alignment.
• Contributing to a data-driven decision-making culture by visualizing problems, progress, and results through dashboards, KPI reviews, and performance routines.
• Supporting IPT performance reviews and prioritization of key KPIs with a focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Exploring opportunities where automation, analytics, and AI can improve decision quality, process stability, and productivity.

Your profile

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant (technical) field, such as Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Business Administration or equivalent.
• Strong experience in leading and successfully completing project-based improvement initiatives in a relevant production environment (Pharma, Food, Chemical).
• Experience in coaching, training, and influencing people across functions and levels.
• Familiar with GMP principles and Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques; Green Belt certification required.
• Strong analytical mindset and comfort working with data, KPIs, and digital tools.
• Interest in or experience with automation, digitization, and AI-enabled improvement is a strong advantage.
• Strong communicator in both Dutch and English.
• Living at a reasonable distance from Boxmeer.

What we offer

• Competitive compensation aligned with your knowledge and experience.
• 3% year-end payment and an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.
• 35,5 days of leave.
• Solid Pension Plan.
• Travel allowance for commuting.
• Numerous training, coaching and e-learning modules for long term job opportunities and development.
• Excellent accessibility: the train station is right by our main entrance and there is ample parking.

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