Assoc. Dir., Engineering

Merck; De Soto (KS); On-site; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in the United States is seeking an Associate Director, Process Development Large Molecules to lead robust processes and seamless technology transfers from R&D to manufacturing for our large molecule programs.

You will manage a high‑performing team, collaborate across R&D, operations, quality, and regulatory, and drive risk management, process optimization, and on‑time file and launch delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Protein Chemistry, Biology or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of direct management experience.
• Minimum four (4) years of relevant experience in technology transfer, process development, technical operations, or manufacturing operations within a regulated biopharmaceutical environment.
• Demonstrate as an effective project leader who can maintain oversight, manage priorities, and deliver on-time results in a complex, fast-paced matrix organization.
• Strong working knowledge of EMA, FDA, and/or USDA regulations and guidelines.
• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Process Development – Accountable for development of robust processes and, right-first-time technology transfer of processes from R&D to operations for antigens and final products to meet file on time and launch on time targets.
• People Management – Accountable for building and sustaining a highly engaged technology transfer team through utilization of our Ways of Working; drives safety, compliance, technical excellence, and employee development.
• Technical Excellence – Accountable for data-driven decision making across technology transfers; drives continuous process improvements; oversees risk identification and mitigation.
• Strategic Leadership – Accountable for managing strategic initiatives and overseeing execution by the technology transfer team.

Skills

Biopharmaceutical Industry

Coaching Employees

Decision Making

Life Sciences Industry

Life Sciences R&D

People Leadership

Process Development (PD)

Technical Operations

Technology Transfer

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Protein Chemistry, Biology or related field

Job description

Associate Director, Process Development Large Molecules

The Global Animal Health Manufacturing (GAHM) Biotechnology Solutions (BTS) group is seeking a highly motivated individual to be part of process development group in the US. Process Development (BTS-PD) group is accountable for technology transfer of new large molecule products from R&D to commercial production. This team leads critical technical activities such as scale-up, process validation/qualification, and process optimization & robustness to ensure successful product launches to enable robust product supply.

Associate Director is accountable for developing robust processes for new products and transferring large molecule pipeline projects from R&D to operations in the US region. The role reports to the US regional process development lead. Associate Director will be responsible for managing a high-performing team to deliver robust processes for various projects in the pipeline and transfer to manufacturing facilities. This role also requires managing strategic priorities and technical projects as needed and requires collaboration across matrix organization for collective success, including R&D, operations, site-support, supply chain and regulatory in the US region.

Job Responsibilities

• Process Development – Accountable for development of robust processes and, right-first-time technology transfer of processes from R&D to operations for antigens and final products to meet file on time and launch on time targets. Collaborate with partner groups (R&D, operations, quality, regulatory) to ensure file/launch on time.
• People Management – Accountable for building and sustaining a highly engaged technology transfer team through utilization of our Ways of Working. Drives culture of safety, compliance, technical excellence, and employee development. Directly manages and coaches the technology transfer team. Provides team members with aligned objectives, regular feedback on performance (including soliciting stakeholder feedback), development conversations and career progression opportunities. Proactively engages in talent management, retention, and succession planning.
• Technical Excellence – Accountable for data-driven decision making across technology transfers. Drives continuous process improvements when required to enhance process and/or decrease cost-of-goods (COGs). Oversees appropriate risk identification and mitigation methodologies (e.g. FMEA) to drive decisions. Manages technical stage-gate reviews, where appropriate. When needed, accountable for driving execution of appropriate lab experiments to reduce risk, increase robustness, or reduce COGs.
• Strategic Leadership – Accountable for managing strategic initiatives and overseeing execution by the technology transfer team. Additionally acts as a contributor to the Regional Technology Hoshin by aligning internal goals with the technology organization.

Required Education

• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Protein Chemistry, Biology or related field.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s with at least (8) years of relevant post-graduate experience OR Master of Science degree and at least (6) years of relevant post-graduate experience OR doctoral degree with at least (4) years of relevant post-graduate experience
• Minimum of (3) years of direct management experience
• Minimum four (4) years of relevant experience in technology transfer, process development, technical operations, or manufacturing operations within a regulated biopharmaceutical environment
• Demonstrate as an effective project leader who can maintain oversight, manage priorities, and deliver on-time results in a complex, fast-paced matrix organization
• Strong working knowledge of EMA, FDA, and/or USDA regulations and guidelines
• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated successes with Talent Management, process development/technology transfer and strategic initiatives
• Demonstrated experience with USDA regulations
• Demonstrated experience in commercial biomanufacturing (sterile/aseptic, bulk drug substance, filling, lyophilization, etc.) in a regulated environment
• Strong working knowledge of key biopharmaceutical business processes, including Process Performance Qualification/Validation, risk assessments, CMC regulatory processes, and manufacturing change control
• Demonstrated experience with statistical process control and/or design of experiments

Required Skills

Biopharmaceutical Industry, Coaching Employees, Decision Making, Life Sciences Industry, Life Sciences R&D, People Leadership, Process Development (PD), Technical Operations, Technology Transfer

Preferred Skills

Design of Experiments (DOE), Strategic Technology Initiatives, USDA Regulations

Requirements

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit: EEOC Know Your Rights EEOC GINA Supplement We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $142,400.00 - $224,100.00 This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs. The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

San Francisco Residents Only

We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives

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.

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

Domestic

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

1st - Day

Valid Driving License

Yes

Hazardous Material(s)

N/A

Job Posting End Date

10/3/2026

• 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.

Requisition ID

R411936