Assoc. Dir., Engineering

Merck; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 142,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, NJ seeks an Associate Director Estimator to provide innovative cost solutions for capital projects, maximizing value and ensuring project execution. This senior role leads estimating efforts across cross-functional teams and supports front-end planning, budgeting, and risk analysis.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in estimating/PM, strong Excel/PowerPoint skills, and a deep knowledge of pharma/biotech project types. Travel up to 30% and hybrid work arrangement are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (preferred).
• 10+ years of estimating, project control, capital management and/or project management experience.
• Broad knowledge of Pharma/Biotech across multiple project types and lines of business.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with proven leadership.
• Strong Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint skills.
• Travel up to 30% with ability to work remote.

Responsibilities

• Lead estimating effort for capital and expense projects and studies with multi-discipline teams.
• Prepare TIC estimates, including conceptual schedules and staffing plans.
• Gather and validate estimate information from internal and external sources.
• Review and validate trade partner estimates and manage reconciliation.
• Lead estimate risk analysis sessions and contingency determinations.
• Support project benchmarking and cost database maintenance.
• Collaborate with cost controller and external suppliers on budgets and cost tabulations.
• Provide guidance to internal resources and mentor Estimating group.

Skills

Estimating

Project Management

Leadership

Communication skills

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Summary

The Associate Director Estimator is a key position in GES Project & Business Services whose mandate is to provide effective and innovative cost solutions to projects for our business partners to maximize value and ensure successful project execution.

Job Description

The Associate Director Estimator is a key position in GES Project & Business Services whose mandate is to provide effective and innovative cost solutions to projects for our business partners to maximize value and ensure successful project execution.

The successful candidate will provide technical support for planning and estimating capital projects, from feasibility studies through final funding and project execution and start-up. The Estimator must possess strong estimating, planning, and benchmarking skills. The position supports multiple projects, that range from less than $5MM to $1B+ total installed cost (TIC).

Responsibilities

• Lead estimating effort for capital and expense projects and studies, working with the AE/CM, Digitial/IT, Business Sponsor, and multi-discipline project teams.


• Prepare Total Installed Cost (TIC) estimates, including conceptual schedules and staffing plans, for concept and siting studies.


• Gather and validate estimate information from multiple groups both internal and external to the company.


• Review and validate trade partners estimates. Ability to review all disciplines of the cost and scope aspects of third-party estimates and manage the reconciliation process in a collaborative team setting.


• Lead estimate risk analysis sessions and fit-for-purpose contingency determinations.


• Project cost trending, such as implementing Target Value Delivery, on projects from concept through final funding.


• Support project benchmarking efforts, both internally and through external relationships.


• Support maintenance of the department cost database, estimate assemblies, and cost modelling tools.


• Lead and support preparation of project return cost data (i.e. actuals) and close-out reports.


• Support the front-end planning and funding process (schedule, resources, due diligence, market analysis, risk analysis, etc...).


• Manage internal estimate resources and provide appropriate direction for external workers in the region.


• Ability to act as a mentor within the estimating group and coach/educate project teams throughout the FEL process and FEL phase-specific estimating methodologies and key inputs.


• In collaboration with the project Cost Controller function, set up project budgets per a standard WBS, and assist in developing a breakout for trade bid package cost tabulations, ensuring continuity of contract and spend tracking that is able to be mapped back to estimating format (end to end cost management support).


• In collaboration with the Estimating Steward, Global Capital Procurement, and external suppliers, evaluate current market conditions and use the information in the estimating process.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (Engineering discipline and advanced education preferred)

Required

• 10 + years of Estimating, Project Control, Capital Management and/or Project Management experience


• Strong knowledge of estimating, capital management and financial processes.


• Broad knowledge of the Pharma and Biotech industry across multiple project types (drug substance, drug product, lab, large molecule, small molecule, etc.) and all lines of business (R&D, Human Health, Animal Health)


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interface effectively with all levels in the organization and proven leadership demonstrated over multiple assignments


• Strong Microsoft Excel, Word, Presentation skills.


• Strong analytical skills.


• Ability to travel across Company sites up to 30% of the time with emphasis on ability to conduct work remote

Preferred

• AI-fluency and curiosity in AI use case experimentation. Ability to convert proof of concept applications into standard, repeatable work to drive efficiency and scale estimating expertise.


• Experience in Lean Project Delivery Methodologies (e.g. Target Value Delivery and Last Planner®, Takt planning)


• Knowledge of Estimating and Information Management systems


• Strategic planning or portfolio management experience


• Lean/Six Sigma experience, change management expertise


• Knowledge of AE, CM and Professional Service providers estimating means and methods


• @RISK software to execute Monte Carlo cost QRA exercises


• Knowledge of and passion for market conditions monitoring and education to the broader GES community and other internal stakeholders

Required Skills

Adaptability, Adaptability, Analytical Analysis, Benchmarking, Benefits Analysis, Budget Estimating, Capital Project Management, Change Management, Clinical Manufacturing, Cost Analysis, Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), Data Analysis, Decision Making, Drug Product Manufacturing, Evaluate Information, Financial Acumen, Interpersonal Relationships, Lean Manufacturing, Manufacturing Scale-Up, Market Trends, Project Appraisals, Project Delivery, Project Estimations, Project Scoping, Regulatory Compliance {+ 7 more}

US And Puerto Rico Residents Only

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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:

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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.

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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.

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.

The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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

Employee Status

Regular

Relocation

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship

No

Travel Requirements

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Hybrid

Shift

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License

No

Hazardous Material(s)

n/a

Job Posting End Date

10/16/2026

• 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

R419981