Associate Director, Planning & Scheduling - Onsite

MSD Malaysia; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 129,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) retirement

Paid holidays

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, New Jersey seeks a Print Team Lead to oversee daily clinical label production, ensure GMP compliance, and drive improvements across local and global labeling activities. You will manage schedules, train staff, and coordinate with packaging sites to meet quality and delivery goals.

The role requires a bachelor's degree with 4+ years in pharmaceutical operations or equivalent experience, leadership credentials, and strong collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 4+ years in Pharmaceutical Operations, or equivalent with 6+ years.
• Experience in clinical supply or related area preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, and inter-personal skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily label production operations to GMP and quality standards.
• Lead, train, and develop the label production team; conduct performance reviews.
• Coordinate local and global labeling activities and projects.
• Author, review, and approve SOPs and job aids for packaging and labeling.
• Monitor production schedules and manage headcount and utilization.
• Drive process improvements to raise quality and efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

People Management

Planning

Product Integrity

Quality Standards

SOP

Team Management

Company Policies

Customer Satisfaction

Education

Bachelor's degree

High School Diploma with 6 years

Tools

SAP

Job description

Print Team Lead – Global Clinical Supply Organization

The Global Clinical Supply (GCS) organization manages the "end-to-end" clinical supply for the company’s portfolio. GCS is accountable for the planning, sourcing, labeling, packaging and delivery of clinical supplies to clinical sites across more than 60+ countries, in compliance with worldwide regulations, company policies and standard operating procedures. The Print Team Lead is responsible for overseeing daily label production operations, ensuring compliance with GMP and quality standards, driving process improvements, supporting team development, and coordinating both local and global labeling activities to meet operational goals efficiently and effectively.

Primary Activities

• Ensure each component or bulk material used in label production is properly identified, not expired, and verified throughout processing, and that it corresponds to the written information on the work order before proceeding to the next step.
• Print, inspect, proof, and maintain accountability for clinical product labels.
• Maintain label inventory, including the disposal of expired materials.
• Serve as a Qualified Trainer.
• Conduct periodic quality inspections during the printing process to ensure product integrity.
• Prepare shipments of labels to external packaging sites.
• Receive bulk labels from booklet manufacturing vendors.
• Participate in equipment-related testing and upgrades.
• Ensure team members perform tasks in accordance with GMP and batch record instructions.
• Initiate and implement process improvements aimed at increasing quality, customer satisfaction, and efficiency.
• Monitor the production schedule on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis while managing group headcount and employee utilization.
• Advance operational capabilities by identifying new opportunities, seeking input from key stakeholders, and implementing ideas.
• Lead, promote, and support the use of innovation and technology in Label Production.
• Regularly evaluate employee performance, conduct development discussions, and complete year-end performance reviews.
• Manage the team, including problem-solving and proactive escalation to next-level management when needed.
• Lead local and global label projects, including organising meetings and delegating tasks.
• Author, review, and approve standard operating procedures and job aids for packaging and labeling activities.
• Participate in and support internal and external audits.
• Recommend process improvements to enhance team efficiency.
• Coordinate and train new employees.

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with four (4) years of relevant experience, or High School Diploma or equivalent with six (6) years of relevant experience in Pharmaceutical Operations, preferably in a clinical supply-related area.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• At least two (2) years of experience in management or leadership positions required.
• Minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience in supply chain or operations preferred.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across functional boundaries in multicultural environments to align stakeholders and drive tech transfer strategies and solutions.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability, strong verbal and written communication skills, and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong understanding of clinical supplies and supply chain processes with relevant regulatory and GMP requirements.
• Ability to establish clear goals, delegate effectively, and hold self and others accountable.
• Ability to succeed in a dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Well-developed team facilitation and leadership skills, with the ability to build inclusive team environments.
• Proven project and team management skills.
• Prior experience with SAP is beneficial.

Required Skills

• Company Policies
• Customer Satisfaction
• Leadership
• People Management
• Planning
• Product Integrity
• Quality Standards
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
• Team Management

Preferred Skills

• Clinical Supply Chain Management
• Supply Chain Operations

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $129,000.00 - $203,100.00. 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

• 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.

Application Deadline

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 & Work Terms

• Employee Status: Regular
• Relocation: No relocation
• VISA Sponsorship: No
• Travel Requirements: 10% Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
• Shift: 1st - Day
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): No

Job Posting End Date

09/15/2026

Company Overview

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.