Director, Manufacturing Platforms

MSD Malaysia; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 164,000 - 273,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ seeks a leader to manage Digital Shop Floor and Manufacturing IT strategies across global sites, delivering compliant, scalable MES/LIMS/SCADA solutions and driving measurable business value.

The role requires 5+ years in digital shop floor systems, strong leadership, and roadmapping ability, with up to 25% travel. It offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

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 biopharma.
• 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.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Digital shop floor

Leadership

Roadmapping

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or IT

Tools

MES

LIMS

OSi PI

Job description

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

• Required 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.

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.

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.

Search Firm Representatives

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre‑existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

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: 09/28/2026 *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.