Associate Director, Project Management

MSD; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 203,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD is seeking an Associate Director to lead end-to-end project management for major supply chain changes within the Manufacturing Network Strategy. You will drive cross-divisional teams to meet timelines, define business requirements, and ensure regulatory readiness across complex programs.

The role emphasizes strategic inventory management, risk mitigation, and effective communication across stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of diverse experience in supply chain, operations, or regulatory with a track record of delivering complex changes.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams on end-to-end supply chain projects with regulatory impact.
• Proficiency in project planning, risk assessment and change management.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project management for major supply chain changes across divisions.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans and cross-functional coordination.
• Define business requirements and validate regulatory filings and inventory transition plans.

Skills

Project Management

Cross-functional leadership

Risk Management

Regulatory Compliance

Inventory Management

Strategic planning

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Science, Engineering or related

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Associate Director - Project Manager, Manufacturing Network Strategy

Under the direction of the Network Strategy & Execution Director, the Associate Director is responsible for assessing, leading and managing the successful "end to end"(E2E) project management of major and complex supply chain changes by driving cross-divisional and cross-functional teams to ensure delivery of the targeted goals and timelines. The Associate Director will effectively and efficiently achieve project objectives and define business requirements through exceptional project management. The incumbent will lead cross-functional teams for projects that may include establishing new sources of supply for registered materials or managing a portfolio of complex process changes with regulatory impact.

Responsibilities

• Business Case Development: Understanding the requirements of a complex business case for assigned changes. Continually assessing key business elements across project life cycle to ensure business goals remain relevant in an ever-changing business environment and escalat as required.
• Project | Portfolio Management: Owning and developing detailed project plans for given changes using standard tools and ensures the alignment and coordination of cross-functional groups. Managing multiple projects at any one time that have high complexity (global supply chain impact with many inter dependencies). Leading and executing within multifaceted project environments with a small to large cross-functional team.
• Strategic Inventory Management | Supply Transitioning: Defining key business requirements (validation, regulatory filing, inventory builds, and creating inventory transition plans to the new source of supply or for post-change supply).
• Risk Management: Proactively identifying and mitigating risks and participating in Integrated Risk Management (IRM). Identifying and raising issues and conflicting agendas/priorities for quick resolution. Being able to align teams to solve problems. Bringing innovation into every day thinking to mitigate risks. Understanding and committing to Compliance.
• Communication: Ensuring inter-project communication and integrated execution. Ensuring consistency and sharing of best practices.
• Leadership Capabilities: E2E Visibility. Be skilled in effectively managing virtual teams and have the ability to influence both horizontally and vertically. Drive to engage others and have excellent interpersonal, communication and leadership skills. Be able to maintain focus on the key project goals and priorities, but also be able to dive into the detail to facilitate problem resolution and ensure project success. Cultural sensitivity, diversity, and effectiveness.
• Regulatory Acumen and effective working relationship with Global Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Safety (GRACS). Demonstrated conflict resolution, problem-solving, raising concerns and accountability.

Education

Minimum Requirement: Bachelor's Degree in the field of Science, Engineering or related.

Required Experience and Skills

Minimum of eight (8) years' combined and diverse experience in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Technology, Regulatory, or Procurement with a demonstrated record of solid achievements. Working in both strategic and tactical space.

Preferred Experience and Skills

Product source changes and change control. Proficiency in Microsoft project. Flexibility with working schedule and availability to travel. Vaccines, biologics, therapeutic proteins, or sterile. Working with Global Human Health and 3rd party partners.

Required Skills

Accountability, Accountability, Adaptability, Biopharmaceuticals, Budget Development, Clinical Trial Management, Conflict Resolution, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Feasibility Studies, Global Supply Chain, Innovation, Innovative Solutions, Inventory Management, Knowledge Management, Leadership, Mitigated Risks, Project Management, Project Management Tools, Project Planning, Project Portfolio Management (PPM), Regulatory Compliance, Retail Inventory Management, Risk Evaluation And Mitigation Strategy (REMS), Risk Management.

Biopharmaceuticals, Clinical Trial Management, Data Analysis, Knowledge Management, Microsoft Project, Problem Solving, Project Management, Project Management Tools, Project Planning, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Strategic Planning.

Preferred Skills

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity

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

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.

Location

The primary location for this posting is: USA - Pennsylvania - West Point

Compensation

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below. The salary range for the primary location of this role is: $129,000.00 - $203,100.00 This range reflects the Company's reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.

Additional location(s): Please note the salary range above applies to the Primary Location of the position. Where a role has other listed locations, different compensation guidelines may apply. You may find the salary ranges for additional locations below. If the salary range is not listed for the location you are applying to, our Talent Acquisition team will provide further information to you relevant to your location.

Additional location(s) Compensation Information: Ireland 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.

Other Employment Information

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

Job Posting End Date: 11/8/2026 *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.

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.