Digital Product Manager (Director) - Deviations & Issue Management QMS Processes

MSD; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 173,000 - 273,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

MSD is seeking a Digital Product Manager for Deviations & Issue Management to lead digitization within the QMS. You will drive cross-functional teams, translate business strategy into IT initiatives, and deliver large-scale cloud implementations that improve usability and reduce costs.

The role requires strong stakeholder management and experience with Deviations, AI/ML, and GxP systems. You will partner with site manufacturing, technical operations, and the Investigations Product Owner to shape

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific/technical field.
• 10+ years’ experience in pharma with cross-divisional process improvements and system implementations.
• Proven backlog prioritization & cross-functional collaboration in regulated environments.
• Experience leading large, global cloud platform rollouts and SDLC for GxP systems.
• Ability to translate business strategy into prioritized IT/product initiatives.
• Strong leadership across matrix organizations and vendors.
• Knowledge of Deviations & Issue Management processes and QMS systems (Veeva Vault QMS, Trackwise, SAP, Appian).
• Experience with AI/ML/Gen AI solutions and data science collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead Digital Delivery for Deviations & Issue Management in Veeva Vault QMS; migrate from Appian, UiPath, SAP ECC to Veeva Vault.
• Define product vision, value map, and roadmap for Deviations digital capabilities.
• Collaborate with site manufacturing and operations SMEs to translate strategy into IT initiatives.
• Own requirements and document for GxP systems; translate between business and development teams.
• Drive continuous product discovery to surface user needs and translate into backlog.
• Oversee end-to-end delivery of global cloud platform implementations in pharma/life sciences.
• Lead cross-functional teams and be accountable for product releases.
• Ensure systems are SDLC- and GxP-compliant; promote IT standards and Confluence/JIRA usage.
• Govern global process design for Deviations digital solutions and align with leadership.
• Drive metrics, TCO optimization, and investment/portfolio planning.
• Lead AI/ML capability design for Deviations processes and partnership with data science teams.
• Facilitate direct end-user input and act as change agent in fast-moving environments.

Skills

Backlog Management

Backlog Prioritization

Product Roadmap

Product Management

Requirements Management

Stakeholder Relationship Management

Strategic Planning

Strategic Thinking

Delivery Coordination

Influencing Without Authority

Organizational Change Management

Organizational Leadership

Process Alignment

Product Management Strategy

Business Alignment

Business Decisions

Conceptual Thinking

SDLC

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, biology, chemistry, or a related scientific/technical field

Tools

Veeva Vault QMS

Trackwise

SAP

Appian

Job description

Job Description

Join our manufacturing division — Digital Quality Operations - Investigations Digital Product Group, to lead the digitization of Deviations QMS process within the Quality Management System (QMS). Our company is at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals.

As a Digital Product Manager for Deviations & Issue Management QMS processes, you will lead cross-functional & cross-divisional teams, partner closely with site/manufacturing/technical operations subject‑matter experts, and deliver large‑scale system implementations that simplify the QMS technology stack, improve user experience, reduce costs, and enable data‑driven decision making. This role is specific to Digitization of Deviations Management & Issue Management QMS Processes reporting to the Investigation Product Owner.

Issue Management oversees a structured QMS process for identifying, documenting, assessing, investigating, containing, resolving, and preventing events affecting study integrity, product quality, participant/animal safety or regulatory compliance across GLP, GCP (including supplier quality and temperature excursions), Animal Welfare, and GRACS. Digital solutions support 1000+ users across GLP QA, GCP, Animal Welfare, GRACS and related functions within our research & development division.

Deviation Management oversees the structured QMS process for recording, assessing, investigating and resolving GMP deviations across our manufacturing division and our research & development networks (internal/external networks, global distribution quality and third‑party partners) covering end‑to‑end supply chains for clinical and commercial products. Digital solutions support 6000+ users across our research & development and our manufacturing divisions.

Responsibilities

• Digital Delivery Lead for implementation of Deviations Management & Issue Management Process into Veeva QMS Vault. Scope- Migrating Deviations QMS Process and Data from Appian, UiPath Solutions & SAP ECC 6.0 to Veeva Vault QMS and integration to SAP S4 Hana.
• Define and lead the product vision, value map, and roadmap for Deviations digital capabilities.
• Partner with site/manufacturing/technical operations SMEs and the Investigations Product Owner to translate business strategy into prioritized IT/product initiatives.
• Own requirements definition, translation between business and development teams, and documentation for GxP systems.
• Lead continuous product discovery to surface user needs and convert findings into a prioritized product backlog.
• Drive end‑to‑end delivery of large global cloud platform implementations in the pharma/life sciences environment.
• Lead cross‑functional, matrixed teams, provide oversight to less senior team members, and be accountable for the release of products.
• Ensure IT systems are designed, developed, tested, and operated in SDLC- and GxP‑compliant manner.
• Champion the effective use of IT standards, tools (JIRA, Confluence), and release/support planning.
• Enable & govern consistent, global process design for Deviations digital solutions.
• Establish strong relationships with business and technology leaders to align investment and portfolio planning.
• Drive performance monitoring, metrics development, and optimize total cost of ownership (TCO).
• Lead design and delivery of AI/ML capabilities for Deviations processes.
• Serve as liaison between technology partners, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Advocate for user‑centered design and facilitate direct connections between delivery squads and end users.
• Act as change agent: influence stakeholders, manage conflicting priorities, and support organizational adoption of new ways of working.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, biology, chemistry, or a related scientific/technical field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in association to the listed required skills within the pharmaceutical industry
• Proven experience leading cross‑divisional large & complex process improvement initiatives, system implementations, and cloud platform rollouts in regulated environments.
• Proven track record and experience of defining and prioritizing product backlogs and collaborating with development teams.
• Demonstrated leadership of cross‑functional teams (internal and external), with experience in matrix organizations.
• Hands‑on knowledge of Issue Management & Deviations processes and relevant QMS systems (Veeva Vault QMS, Trackwise, SAP, Appian).
• Experience developing, implementing, or managing Deviations Management - AI/ML /Gen AI solutions and partnering with data science teams to operationalize models.
• Strong working knowledge of SDLC practices for GxP systems, validation/testing, and regulatory compliance (21 CFR 210/211, ICH, FDA guidance).
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to present complex technical and regulatory concepts to senior leadership and global stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; data‑driven decision‑making mindset.
• Ability to influence without direct authority, manage change, and work effectively in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments.

Preferred

• Minimum of five (5) years working experience at GMP manufacturing sites, technical operations, or other site‑level roles with hands‑on exposure to Deviations processes.
• Five or more (5–10+) years preferred in roles focused on Deviations, Root Cause Investigations, quality/regulatory, and digital enablement.
• Experience and exposure to DS, DP, FDP End to End Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Logistics, QC Operations, GCP Operations.
• Prior experience with global releases and multi‑region deployments in pharma/life sciences.
• Advanced degree (MS or MBA) in scientific, engineering, or technical discipline.

Required Skills:

Asset Management, Asset Management, Backlog Management, Backlog Prioritization, Benefits Management, Business Alignment, Business Decisions, Business Informatics, Conceptual Thinking, Delivery Coordination, Influencing Skills, Influencing Without Authority, Management System Development, Organizational Change Management, Organizational Leadership, Process Alignment, Process Standardization, Product Lining, Product Management, Product Management Strategy, Product Roadmap, Requirements Management, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking {+ 3 more}

Preferred Skills:

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.

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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The salary range for this role is

$173,200.00 - $272,600.00

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.

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:

09/15/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.