Manufacturing IT & Automation Project Lead

Merck Gruppe - MSD Sharp & Dohme; Netherlands; Hybrid; EUR 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3% year-end bonus

Annual bonus

35.5 days paid leave

Solid pension plan

Company restaurant with healthy meals

Parking facilities

Lyra Health for wellbeing

Prayer/meditation room

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Merck Group - MSD Sharp & Dohme in Boxmeer seeks an Manufacturing IT & Automation Project Lead to drive IT/automation projects across Boxmeer and De Bilt, ensuring timely delivery and standardization.

You will lead project planning, coordinate with IT, Operations, Engineering and QA, develop project management capabilities, and report to the Site Digital Manufacturing Operations Lead, in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, CS or equivalent.
• At least 5 years PM experience on technical projects.
• 2+ years pharma experience is required.
• Understanding of GxP and validation requirements.
• English and Dutch language skills preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive standardization in project management methodologies across manufacturing IT/automation teams.
• Lead the manufacturing IT/automation project planning, scheduling and execution with milestones, resource plan, deliverables and dependencies.
• Provide regular status updates and reports to stakeholders, communicating progress, issues and risks clearly.
• Coordinate with IT, Operations, Engineering, Quality and external vendors for seamless integration.
• Provide technical guidance on PLCs, SCADAs, historians, MES and supporting IT applications.
• Implement automation solutions and integrate with existing systems.
• Promote collaboration across IT divisions and global networks to foster a customer-centric culture.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.

Skills

Project Management

English proficiency

Dutch preferred

Pharma experience

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

PLCs & SCADAs

MES systems

Historian data systems

MS Project

Job description

Job Description

Did you always want to work in a company where your work can have a real impact? Do you enjoy working in an international environment with lots of room for personal development?

We have an exciting opportunity at the Boxmeer facility for a:

Manufacturing IT & Automation Project Lead

Welcome in our team

Global Animal Health Manufacturing IT Boxmeer delivers IT and automation solutions to the manufacturing sites Boxmeer and De Bilt. This encompasses a wide range of manufacturing IT/automation systems and technology, including PLCs, SCADAs, historians, MES systems and supporting IT applications, all aligned to a goal of ensuring frictionless flow of data and more efficient business operations.

Purpose of the role

You will have the opportunity to drive the consistent delivery of IT and Automation projects across the Integrated Process Teams and Centers of Excellence at the sites Boxmeer and De Bilt. Besides managing your own projects, you will be responsible for developing the project management competence and will provide oversight and guidance to the project managers in the area teams. You will work closely with the Business Technology Partners to ensure timely delivery of projects according to the agreements made with our business stakeholders. You will report to the Site Digital Manufacturing Operations Lead.

Key responsibilities

• Drive standardization in project management methodologies and procedures across manufacturing IT/automation project teams based on global standards.
• Lead the manufacturing IT/automation project planning, scheduling and execution process with clear milestones, resource plan, deliverables, dependencies and critical path.
• Provide regular status updates and reports to stakeholders by communicating project progress, issues, and risks effectively to manage stakeholder expectations.
• Coordinate with internal teams (IT, Operations, Engineering, Quality) and external vendors to ensure seamless integration of manufacturing IT/automation systems.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to project teams with manufacturing IT/automation systems, including PLCs, SCADAs, historians, MES systems and supporting IT applications.
• Implement automation solutions and integrate with existing systems.
• Ensure and promote collaboration with other IT divisions as well as parts of our manufacturing network, both locally and globally, to break-down organizational boundaries in favor of a highly collaborative and customer-centric culture.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.

Your profile

• Bachelor's degree with relevant experience in Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Science Engineering or equivalent experience.
• At least 2 years experience in pharma is a must.
• At least 5 years proven experience with manufacturing IT/automation systems, including PLCs, SCADAs, historians, MES systems and supporting IT applications.
• At least 5 years proven project management experience managing technical projects.
• Understanding of GxP regulated environment and validation requirements.
• Preferred certified in project management methodologies.
• Experienced in using project management tooling (e.g. MS Project)
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written in English and preferable in Dutch.

What we offer

• A competitive salary, depending on your knowledge and experience.
• A 3% year-end allowance and an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.
• A minimum of 35.5 days of paid leave.
• Travel expense reimbursement and a solid pension plan.
• A high-quality company restaurant offering fresh and healthy options daily.
• Excellent accessibility: the train station is located directly at the main entrance, and ample parking is available.
• A beautiful private park on site, ideal for walking, taking a break, or relaxing.
• Mental wellbeing support via Lyra Health for you and your family members.
• Access to a dedicated prayer/meditation room.
• Extensive career development opportunities thanks to the size of the site and the presence of many disciplines and global departments represented in Boxmeer.
• A workplace within an organization that continues to grow and evolve.

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.

Employee Status

Project Temps (Fixed Term)

Relocation

VISA Sponsorship

Travel Requirements

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

Valid Driving License

Hazardous Material(s)

Job Posting End Date

10/29/2026

Requisition ID

R405628