Associate Director, Quality Assurance

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

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Job summary

Merck in Rahway, NJ seeks an Associate Director to guide global product quality complaint management for MDCP. You will lead investigations, escalations, and regulatory reporting, collaborating with Global Safety, manufacturing sites, and external partners to ensure timely, compliant resolutions.

The role emphasizes cross-functional leadership, policy development, and process improvements, including use of new technologies for data signaling and continuous quality improvement in a complex,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in (Science or Engineering or associated fields) with a minimum of 7 years related experience OR a Master’s degree (Science or Engineering or associated fields) and 5 years related experience or a Ph.D. (Science or Engineering or associated fields) and 3 years of related experience
• 7 years relevant experience including Regulatory CMC, Quality, development, manufacturing, testing or licensure of pharmaceutical products; or related fields.
• LEADERSHIP: Requires established ability to manage and implement multiple projects/tasks simultaneously with competing priorities; ... strong demonstrated interpersonal, communication, collaboration and leadership skills; and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance to assure compliance of MDCP complaint management with regulatory expectations.
• Serve as SME for complaint management and lead investigations, health authority reporting and global PQC activities.
• Support regulatory inspections and align processes with QMS.
• Lead cross-functional teams to develop and improve business processes and databases for PQCs/AE quality issues.

Skills

Regulatory CMC

Quality assurance

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical writing

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering

Master’s degree in Science or Engineering

Ph.D. in Science or Engineering

Job description

Job Description

The Associate Director is responsible for providing guidance to assure our Manufacturing division product quality complaint management processes are in compliance with worldwide medical device and combination product (MDCP) regulatory expectations. Responsible for a specific area of quality complaint management and serves as the subject matter expert; receipt and handling of product quality complaints, trending and reporting of global product quality complaint and/or Adverse Event Quality Investigation reporting for MDCPs. Maintains awareness of evolving industry and regulatory trends associated with complaint management. Assures strong linkages with other our Company divisions that are the business owners for associated processes e.g. adverse events, counterfeits, complaint intake, device/technical teams.

Primary Activities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Maintain oversight of the complaint management process associated with receipt and handling of product quality complaints, trending and reporting of global product quality complaint and/or Adverse Event Quality Investigation reporting. Serve as the subject matter expert working with Global Safety, our Manufacturing division sites and External Business Partners to assure investigations and health authority reporting are completed in a timely manner and address any issues resulting from the investigations.
• Provides subject matter expertise to Quality Manual Chapter 8 and ensures chapter documentation is consistent with current regulatory expectations. Contributes to developing/revising policy and procedures.
• Provides regulatory inspection support to our Manufacturing division Sites as it relates to Product Quality Complaints and serves as the linkage between our Manufacturing division sites and Device Technology for device/design issues, between our Manufacturing division sites and Global Safety for pharmacovigilance, and between our Manufacturing division sites and Global Security for counterfeit management.
• Independently supports requests from internal and external partners as well and regulatory authorities regarding Adverse Event Quality or Product Quality Complaint issues. Directly works with the regulatory authorities to address issues and explain our Company processes.
• Leads/participates on cross-functional teams developing business processes and database applications that support the management/signaling of PQCs and/or potential AE Quality issues. Prepares recommendations to leadership to enhance processes assuring they are aligned with regulatory expectations. Continuously identifies opportunities for improvements to assure potential regulatory risks are mitigated.
• Analyzes issues from different points of view and look at multiple ways to define problems as they work across our Research & Development division, our Manufacturing division and Human Health. Additionally, as the position works with external partners who might have different practices then our Company the position must work to resolve issues to assure alignment with our Company's QMS.
• Identifies and resolves technical and operational problems, collaborating with peers to solve problems. Identifies continuous improvement opportunities to streamline the complaint management process, and develop consistent processes including the use of technology, automation, and artificial intelligence where applicable.
• Provides developmental feedback, coaching, and/or mentoring to other team members when necessary; in a positive and productive manner, using feedback to help others improve and succeed.
• Aligns staff activities with department objectives.
• Consults with management on decisions as needed

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in (Science or Engineering or associated fields) with a minimum of 7 years related experience OR a Master’s degree (Science or Engineering or associated fields) and 5 years related experience or a Ph.D. (Science or Engineering or associated fields) and 3 years of related experience

Experience:

• 7 years relevant experience including Regulatory CMC, Quality, development, manufacturing, testing or licensure of pharmaceutical products; or related fields.
• LEADERSHIP: Requires established ability to manage and implement multiple projects/tasks simultaneously with competing priorities; managing time and personal/group effort. Requires established ability to identify and implement MPS principles and inclusive behaviors for continuous improvement. Excellent problem-solving skills, based on science, facts, data and understanding of regulatory requirements in complex and evolving environments; must be able to apply sound risk management. Strong demonstrated interpersonal, communication, collaboration and leadership skills; and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Required Skills:

• Working knowledge of applicable medical device regulations (21CFR820, EU MDR, ISO 13485:2016), Risk Management experience (ISO 14971:2012).
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in teams. Must be able to work independently within a cross functional framework and will involve detailed technical writing and review.
• A high degree of creative thinking, resourcefulness, and networking will be required to coordinate projects or solve problems.
• Must work independently and have excellent interpersonal relationship skills with flexibility to adapt to fast pace environment with changing priorities. Ability to work in a matrix organization and effective written and oral communicator.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in Complaint Handling investigation process
• Understanding of Combination Product regulations (21 CFR Part 4 including Post Market Safety Reporting requirements)

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.

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:

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:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

N/A

Job Posting End Date:

• 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.

11/10/2026

Requisition ID:

R425438

Salary Range:

$142,400.00 - $224,100.00

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.

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 Aff

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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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The primary location for this posting is: USA - New Jersey - Rahway

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below.