Packaging Improvement Lead: Lean Six Sigma & Automation

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

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.