Director, Operations - API
Merck
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Merck is seeking a Director, IPT Leader for the Elkton, VA API facility to shape the future operating model and drive ramp-up readiness. You will lead cross-functional teams, align IPT priorities with site strategy, and ensure quality, safety and regulatory compliance across operations.
Required are 10+ years of pharma/manufacturing leadership, strong financial stewardship, Lean Six Sigma expertise, and excellent communication.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or related discipline is required.
- 10+ years of relevant pharma/manufacturing experience with leadership of teams.
- Experience with cGMP, quality systems, regulatory readiness and safety practices.
- Strong problem-solving, communications and change leadership skills.
Responsibilities
- Lead site leadership and strategic alignment of IPT priorities with site goals.
- Shape the future-state operating model and ramp-up for Elkton API operations.
- Drive operations excellence, performance metrics, and issue resolution.
- Oversee budgeting, productivity opportunities and cost stewardship.
- Promote quality culture and regulatory compliance across IPT.
- Develop talent, coach leaders and ensure clear communication of priorities.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
At our company, we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company, using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. We are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals.
Join a purpose-built, agile small molecule manufacturing site where your work will help bring important medicines to patients in the U.S. This facility is designed to move quickly and reliably, receiving technology transfers from commercialization sites and fast-following into production with a focus on quality, safety, and operational excellence.
At our site, you’ll be part of a team committed to creating a safe, environmentally responsible, and compliant workplace where people can do their best work. We are building deep small molecule expertise in the U.S., and we want team members who are excited to grow their skills, help improve how we operate, and contribute to a site positioned for future growth.
The Director, IPT Leader, API provides leadership, technical and operational expertise to the Integrated Process Team (IPT) supporting the API manufacturing value stream at the Elkton, VA site. This role is accountable for shaping the future operating model for our new small molecule pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, including project and site readiness, organizational design, and the establishment of operating rhythms, governance, IPT culture, Ways of Working, and performance standards.
At our company, we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company, using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. We are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals.
Join a purpose-built, agile small molecule manufacturing site where your work will help bring important medicines to patients in the U.S. This facility is designed to move quickly and reliably, receiving technology transfers from commercialization sites and fast-following into production with a focus on quality, safety, and operational excellence.
At our site, you’ll be part of a team committed to creating a safe, environmentally responsible, and compliant workplace where people can do their best work. We are building deep small molecule expertise in the U.S., and we want team members who are excited to grow their skills, help improve how we operate, and contribute to a site positioned for future growth.
- Serve as a member of the Site Leadership Team and help align IPT priorities with site and company strategy.
- Provide direction to establish tactical and strategic plans that support API ramp-up and long-term operational success.
- Partner across the site and with above-site teams to ensure strong coordination, decision-making, and execution.
- Represent the IPT and the site as needed with internal stakeholders and external partners.
- Lead the development of the future-state operating model for the API operations at Elkton, VA.
- Support site start-up, ramp-up and operational readiness activities through project leadership and cross-functional coordination.
- Help define organizational structure, organizational culture, operating rhythms, governance, and capability needs for the evolving site.
- Ensure readiness plans, risk assessments and implementation plans are developed and executed effectively.
- Ensure safe, compliant, and reliable and RFT API operations in support of production and supply objectives.
- Lead operational reviews and daily management routines to maintain visibility to performance, issues and priorities.
- Drive structured problem solving and the use of performance metrics to identify trends, action plans and opportunities for improvement.
- Support production planning, resource deployment and issue resolution to meet site objectives.
- Promote lean thinking and continuous improvement to improve flow, throughput, right-first-time performance, and operational stability.
- Support and/or own budget planning and financial stewardship for the IPT, including operating and capital spend.
- Partner with site leadership to identify opportunities for productivity, efficiency, and cost improvement.
- Ensure resources are allocated effectively to support current and future business needs.
- Promote a strong quality culture and support a state of permanent inspection readiness.
- Ensure cGMP compliance and effective management of deviations, investigations, and corrective actions.
- Partner with Quality, EHS, Engineering, Technical and Supply Chain teams to support site priorities and maintain strong compliance standards.
- Ensure appropriate training, documentation and change management practices are in place to support safe and compliant operations.
- Champion a strong safety culture and support risk management activities across the IPT.
- Lead, coach and develop a team of leaders and contributors to build a high-performing organization.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, empowerment and continuous learning.
- Support talent development, succession planning and ongoing skill-building within the IPT.
- Communicate clearly and regularly to align the team around priorities, expectations and performance.
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related scientific/technical discipline.
- 10+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical or other regulated manufacturing environments.
- Leadership experience in one or more of the following areas: Manufacturing, Technical Operations, Quality Operations, Engineering and/or Production Planning.
- Experience leading teams with direct and indirect reports.
- Strong knowledge of cGMP, quality systems, regulatory readiness and safety/environmental practices.
- Demonstrated experience with operational planning, project leadership or site ramp-up/start-up activities.
- Proven ability to lead in complex environments and manage multiple priorities across functions.
- Strong business acumen and experience with financial stewardship and resource planning.
- Experience applying Lean Six Sigma, continuous improvement and structured problem-solving tools.
- Effective communication, coaching and change leadership skills.
- Master’s degree in Science, Engineering, Business or a related discipline.
- Experience in small molecule API manufacturing or commercial pharmaceutical operations.
- Prior experience supporting a manufacturing site start-up, transformation or ramp-up.
- Experience developing future-state operating models, organizational structures or operational governance systems.
- Lean Six Sigma certification or deep practical application of Lean tools.
- Experience in a highly matrixed global manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated success in talent development, employee engagement and succession planning.
- Experience with capacity planning, capital planning, supply planning and S&OP.
- Familiarity with inspection readiness, deviation management and broader quality systems in a regulated environment.
This is a unique opportunity to help define and lead the future of a growing API site from the ground up. You’ll have the chance to influence how the site operates, build a strong team and contribute to the delivery of high-quality medicines for patients around the world.
Adaptability, Adaptability, API Manufacturing, Biopharmaceutical Industry, Business Acumen, Business Agility, Capacity Planning, Capital Planning, Data Analysis, Decision Making, Financial Budgeting, Lean Manufacturing, Manufacturing Quality Control, Operational Excellence, Organizational Culture, People Leadership, Plant Turnaround, Process Optimization, Production Management, Production Scheduling, Project Leadership, Project Management, Regulatory Compliance, Results-Oriented, Six Sigma {+ 3 more}
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 we 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.
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.
We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
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.
Regular
Domestic/International
Yes
10%
Not Applicable
Not Indicated
No
n/a
08/21/2026
- 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.
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