Associate Director, External Development & Manufacturing

Merck & Co.; West Point (PA); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ seeks an Associate Director to lead formulation, device, and process development with external manufacturers, driving GMP-compliant drug product manufacturing and vendor collaboration.

You will guide cross-functional teams, manage timelines and risks, and shape external network strategy across oral dosage forms, biologics, vaccines, and device-based products. This role requires strong vendor management, GMP knowledge, and strategic thinking to advance

Qualifications

• B.S. with 8+ years in chemical engineering or pharma.
• M.S. with 6+ years in related field.
• Ph.D. with 4+ years in related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate formulation, device, process development, and clinical manufacturing activities at contract research and manufacturing organizations.
• Provide manufacturing, compliance, and execution expertise to project teams; manage timelines, deliverables, risks, and issue resolution.
• Develop project requests for proposals; evaluate responses and recommend vendors based on technical fit, unit operations, safety classification, capacity, timing, geography, and clinical supply needs.
• Identify, establish, and maintain trusted vendor relationships aligned with pipeline needs across oral formulation, sterile and specialty products, device development, and discovery pharmaceutical sciences.
• Support technology evaluations through external partner discussions, confidentiality agreements, technical information exchange, and guidance on appropriate scope and agreement structure.
• Collaborate across scientific and operational functions to optimize externalization activities, improve workflows, and advance portfolio-level operational excellence.
• Provide business and logistical support for non-manufacturing activities, including device development, device evaluation, and process development.
• 10% Travel

Skills

Business Process Design

Business Process Implementation

Business Process Improvements

Clinical Manufacturing

Clinical Supplies Management

Clinical Trial Management

Data Analysis

GMP

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Regulatory Compliance

Risk Management

Root Cause Analysis

Solid Dosage Forms

Vendor Management

Education

B.S. in Chemical Engineering or Pharmaceutical Sciences

M.S. in Chemical Engineering or Pharmaceutical Sciences

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field

Tools

SAP

Job description

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ seeks an Associate Director to lead formulation, device, and process development with external manufacturers, driving GMP-compliant drug product manufacturing and vendor collaboration.

You will guide cross-functional teams, manage timelines and risks, and shape external network strategy across oral dosage forms, biologics, vaccines, and device-based products. This role requires strong vendor management, GMP knowledge, and strategic thinking to advance