Director, Manufacturing Platforms

Merck; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 173,000 - 273,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck is seeking a seasoned leader to head the Digital Shop Floor product line and Manufacturing Systems Centers of Excellence. You will shape roadmaps, drive scalable, compliant manufacturing IT solutions, and partner with global teams to realize measurable value.

You will oversee cross-functional deployments, mentor technical staff, and ensure security, validation, and standardization across sites. A strong background in MES/LIMS and data historians is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, IT, or related field.
• 5+ years’ experience implementing and operating digital shop floor systems in biopharma.
• 5+ years’ direct leadership experience managing technical professionals.
• Strong SDLC and validated systems in regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Digital Shop Floor product line and Manufacturing Systems Centers of Excellence.
• Own and refine product and technology roadmaps aligned with manufacturing digital strategies.
• Direct the deployment and scale-up of Digital Shop Floor solutions globally; ensure standardized, compliant implementations.
• Drive adoption and evolution of existing solutions, delivering measurable business value.
• Identify new use cases and lead pilots to validate them.
• Scan for and evaluate emerging technologies; pioneer innovations and scale pilots.
• Collaborate with manufacturing operations, capital automation, quality, engineering, and IT partners.
• Define and promote standard, compliant implementation patterns for shop floor and lab solutions.

Skills

Applied Engineering

Automation Solutions

Biopharmaceuticals

Business Analysis

Business Process Improvements

Computer Communications

Digital Manufacturing

Governance Management

Program Management

Stakeholder Relationship Management

Strategic Planning

System Validation

Technical Management

Workforce Planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, IT, or related field

Tools

OSI PI

MES

LIMS

Data historian

Job description

We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. At the forefront of research, we deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. Join our team and help us use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Digital Shop Floor product line and Manufacturing Systems Centers of Excellence to deliver robust, compliant, and effective Manufacturing IT solutions.
• Own and continuously refine product and technology roadmaps aligned with manufacturing digital strategies and enterprise standards.
• Direct the deployment and scale-up of Digital Shop Floor solutions globally; ensure standardized, efficient, and compliant implementations.
• Drive adoption and ongoing evolution of existing solutions, ensuring they are fully operationalized and deliver measurable business value.
• Identify new use cases and applications for existing technologies (e.g., MES, LIMS, historians, analytics) and lead proof-of-concepts and pilots to validate them.
• Scan for and evaluate emerging digital, automation, and analytics technologies; pioneer selected innovations and scale successful pilots.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing operations, capital automation, quality, engineering, and IT Business Technology Partners to understand needs and enhance the digital posture.
• Define and promote standard, compliant implementation patterns for shop floor and lab solutions, supporting capital projects and site expansions.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing team of product owners/managers and technical professionals (including contractors/partners) across multiple sites or hubs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Technology, or related areas of study.
• 5+ years’ experience implementing and operating digital shop floor systems (DCS/SCADA/PLC, OSI PI, MES, LIMS) in the biopharmaceutical industry.
• 5+ years’ direct leadership experience managing technical professionals, with proven mentorship and team-building skills.
• Strong technical background in process control, computer networking, and manufacturing process control applications.
• Deep understanding of SDLC and computerized system validation in regulated environments.
• Experience building technology roadmaps and working with solution architects and cyber security to deploy secure, scalable solutions.
• In-depth knowledge of major MES, LIMS, and data historian platforms used in biopharma.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate in a matrixed, global organization and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong financial acumen, including management of capital and operating budgets.
• Continuous improvement and growth mindset; strong leadership, integrity, and energy.
• Travel: Up to ~25% global travel required.

Preferred

None specified.

Required Skills

Applied Engineering, Automation Solutions, Biopharmaceuticals, Business Analysis, Business Process Improvements, Computer Communications, Digital Manufacturing, Governance Management, Program Management, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Strategic Planning, System Validation, Technical Management, Workforce Planning

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.

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

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

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements

Not Applicable

Shift

Not Indicated

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.

Requisition ID: R396772