Lean Six Sigma Specialist (Manufacturing)

MSD Malaysia; Boxmeer; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3% year-end allowance

Annual bonus

35.5 vacation days

Pension plan

On-site restaurant

On-site parking

Fitness membership

Lyra Health

Prayer and meditation room

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Boxmeer, Netherlands, is seeking a Lean Six Sigma Specialist to lead strategic improvement initiatives on the IPT Live production floor. You will coach teams, apply Lean, Six Sigma and MPS, and translate data into sustainable actions that raise performance and quality.

You will partner with operations on cross-functional projects, drive problem-solving, and steward continuous improvement across the network, contributing to long-term capability and business results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Proven experience in establishing, leading, or contributing to Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement programs in manufacturing/operations.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification, or Green Belt with substantial experience and capability to obtain Black Belt.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, project management, and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication in Dutch and English.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and continuously improve the Lean Six Sigma programme aligning with MPS principles and priorities.
• Develop Lean Six Sigma capabilities via standards, training, coaching, and leading by example.
• Maintain strong shop floor presence to understand challenges and translate ideas into practical solutions.
• Lead and support cross-functional improvement projects using data analytics and root cause analysis.
• Coach sponsors, project leaders, and practitioners on Lean, Six Sigma, change management, and inclusion.
• Engage stakeholders at all levels to build alignment and ownership around priorities.
• Use metrics, benchmarking, and data analysis to identify and address improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate across the network to share best practices within MPS and CI communities.
• Support IPT Live in achieving business objectives by leading and participating in improvement initiatives.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Change Management

Coaching Employees

Lean Manufacturing

Lean Six Sigma (LSS)

Operational Excellence

Project Management

Quality Control Management

Quality Improvement Programs

Stakeholder Management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree

Job description

Job Description Are you ready to drive operational excellence in a dynamic manufacturing environment? Join our Animal Health site in Boxmeer and lead Lean Six Sigma initiatives that improve performance, empower teams, and deliver sustainable business results.

Welcome to our team

The production facilities in Boxmeer are part of the global Animal Health manufacturing network. We produce and package animal health products according to GMP standards. We work according to the Production System (MPS), which is based on Lean Six Sigma, continuous improvement, and inclusion principles. The IPT Live Vaccines organisation consists of two production departments and support teams for Maintenance & Reliability and Improvement. The IPT is responsible for the preparation of live bulk vaccines, aseptic filling and freeze-drying of live attenuated vaccines. With approximately 270 FTE, IPT Live offers a dynamic environment where operational excellence, collaboration and shop floor engagement are key.

Purpose of the Role

The Lean Six Sigma Specialist plays a critical role in driving operational excellence within IPT Live by leading strategic improvement initiatives that enhance performance, efficiency, quality, and ways of working. As a highly visible presence on the shop floor, you will work closely with operational teams to identify opportunities, translate insights into sustainable improvement actions, and address complex challenges through structured problem-solving and data-driven decision-making. In this role, you will act as a catalyst for change by coaching teams, developing Lean Six Sigma capabilities, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Through strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration, you will bring people together around shared objectives, ensure alignment on priorities, and help deliver measurable and lasting business results. By applying Lean, Six Sigma, and MPS principles, you will support IPT Live in achieving its operational and strategic goals while continuously raising the organization's improvement maturity.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Design, implement, and continuously improve the Lean Six Sigma programme within IPT Live, ensuring alignment with MPS principles and business priorities.
• Build Lean Six Sigma capabilities across the organization by establishing standards, providing training, coaching colleagues, and leading by example.
• Maintain a strong shop floor presence to understand operational challenges, identify improvement opportunities, and translate ideas into practical and sustainable solutions.
• Lead and support cross-functional improvement projects, investigations, and problem-solving efforts using data analytics, structured root cause analysis, and effective follow-up.
• Coach sponsors, project leaders, and practitioners in the application of Lean, Six Sigma, change management, and inclusion principles.
• Engage and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization to build alignment, ownership, and commitment around improvement priorities.
• Use performance metrics, benchmarking, and data analysis to identify, prioritize, and address operational and business improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with peers across the network to share best practices and contribute to global MPS and continuous improvement communities.
• Support IPT Live in achieving its business objectives by initiating, leading, and actively participating in improvement initiatives and ad hoc projects.

What we ask

• Bachelor's or Master's degree, demonstrating an academic level of thinking and problem-solving.
• Proven experience in establishing, leading, or making a significant contribution to Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement programs within a manufacturing or operational environment.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification, or Green Belt certification with substantial practical experience and the willingness and capability to obtain Black Belt certification.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, project management, and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both Dutch and English.

What we offer

Working with us means contributing to animal health in an international environment alongside dedicated colleagues. You will have ample opportunities to grow, develop your skills, and make a meaningful impact. In addition, we offer an attractive benefits package, including:

• A competitive salary, depending on your knowledge and experience.
• A 3% year-end allowance and an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.
• At least 35.5 vacation days per year.
• Travel expense reimbursement and a strong pension plan.
• A high-quality company restaurant offering fresh and healthy options every day.
• Excellent accessibility, with a train station located directly at our main entrance and ample on-site parking.
• A contribution toward your fitness membership to support your wellbeing.
• Access to a beautiful private park on campus, ideal for a walk, break, or moment of relaxation.
• Mental wellbeing support through Lyra Health for you and your family members.
• Access to a dedicated prayer and meditation room.
• Extensive career development opportunities, supported by the scale of the site and the presence of multiple disciplines and global functions in Boxmeer.
• A role within a growing organization that continues to evolve and invest in its people and operations.

Required Skills:

• Analytical Thinking
• Change Management
• Coaching Employees
• Lean Manufacturing
• Lean Six Sigma (LSS)
• Operational Excellence
• Project Management
• Quality Control Management
• Quality Improvement Programs
• Stakeholder Management

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.

Animal Health Division

Our Animal Health division is a trusted global leader in veterinary medicine, dedicated to the health and well-being of animals. We are a global team of professionals working together to make a positive difference in animal care and the world’s food supply and have a deep sense of responsibility towards our customers, consumers, animals, society and our planet. We offer one of our industry’s most innovative portfolio of products, services and technologies that serve to prevent, treat, and control diseases across all major farm and companion animal species.