Director, Pharmaceutical Commercialization Technology

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision care

401(k) retirement plan

Paid holidays

Vacation days

Sick days

Job summary

MSD Malaysia is seeking a Director of Pharmaceutical Commercialization Technology to lead a multi-disciplinary team in Rahway, NJ, with travel to West Point, PA as needed. The role focuses on developing robust product portfolios, control strategies, and end-to-end commercial development of drug products.

You will drive operational excellence, sponsor cross-functional teams, and oversee regulatory submissions, safety, and digital strategy across a global network.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in a relevant scientific field with at least 12 years’ experience, or MS with 10+ years, or PhD with 8+ years.
• Deep technical expertise in drug formulation, development and commercialization.
• Experience with regulatory submissions and responding to questions.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of product portfolio and control strategies for robust supply.
• Drive results and execution across the department’s portfolio.
• Advance operational excellence and sponsor cross-functional teams.
• Foster talent development and sponsor high-performing teams.
• Oversee regulatory, siting, tech transfer and financial forecasting.
• Lead change management and ensure safety, quality, and inclusion.

Skills

Adaptability

Change Agility

Consulting

GMP

Key Client Relationships

Manufacturing Scale-Up

People Leadership

Pharmaceutical Process Development

Process Characterization

Regulatory Experience

Teamwork

Technical Transfer

Writing Technical Documents

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related scientific field

Master of Science with minimum 10 years experience

Ph.D. with minimum 8 years

Tools

None

Job description

Job Description Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of small molecules, biologics, and vaccines across human and animal health. We are building a new kind of healthcare company, one that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us. Join our team and contribute to our mission of delivering innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals.

The Pharmaceutical Commercialization Technology (PCT) organization, within our Manufacturing Division, develops robust processes and technologies for small-molecule, solid-dosage drugs. From early formulation partnerships through to commercial launch and stable global supply, we bridge the gap between discovery and patients worldwide.

Our operations are anchored by development centers in Rahway, NJ and West Point, PA, alongside a global manufacturing network spanning Ireland, Singapore, and external contract organizations.

As the Director of Pharmaceutical Commercialization Technology, you will lead a high-performing department of 10 to 20 engineers and scientists—ranging from entry-level researchers to senior scientific leaders and people managers. In this role, you will shape and execute program strategies for our development pipeline while fostering a culture anchored in Safety First, Quality Always, and Inclusion for All. You will champion talent development, drive operational excellence, and build highly collaborative partnerships across our global technical, quality, and manufacturing networks to bring life-saving medicines to market.

Responsibilities

• Drive development of product portfolio including overall plan for control strategy development, experimental designs across scales, execution of experimental plans, and data analysis with the goal of creating robust control strategies that will lead to reliable supply.
• Drive results and executional excellence within the department’s portfolio, impacting multiple layers of the organization and other lines within PCT.
• Drive operational excellence by clarifying and translating priorities into actionable steps and holding teams accountable to deliver against priorities.
• Recognize gaps in systems and drive improvement in process and department function, sponsoring and driving a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Develop critical partner relationships and create sponsorship frameworks with peers to ensure the success of highly cross-functional teams.
• Actively sponsor the creation of high-performing teams with peers and ensure necessary technical reviews are occurring proactively with the right cross-section of peer partner groups.
• Utilize a sophisticated employee development toolkit across many levels within the organization, including people managers, senior scientific staff, and new hires.
• Help teams drive programmatic strategy including regulatory, siting, and tech transfer, and assist in creating financial forecasts.
• Lead change throughout the organization with a well-developed change leadership toolkit.
• Oversee the department’s core functions including PCT Source (clinical supply stewardship), the APEX (Applied Pharmaceutical Engineering & eXperimentation) supply-support facility, safety teams, digital strategy, compliance, modeling, risk assessment platforms, diversity and inclusion, due diligence, and capital projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related scientific field with a minimum of twelve (12) years of required experience; OR Master of Science (M.S.) with a minimum of ten (10) years; OR Ph.D. degree with a minimum of eight (8) years.
• Possesses deep technical and subject matter expertise with the function.
• Knowledge of oral drug product formulation and process development, proven track record in small molecule commercial process development, scale-up, and technology transfer to supply.
• Applies a deep understanding of new product development and commercialization.
• Experienced in the end-to-end development of drug products from commercialization through to supply.
• Experience with authoring regulatory submissions and responding to regulatory questions.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Effective delegation skills and demonstrated ability to drive improvement priorities in addition to driving the portfolio.
• Demonstrated ability in leading and sponsoring cross-functional teams.
• Strength in delivering results on firm deadlines.
• Experience with leading organizational change.
• Preferred Experience in supporting supply investigations.
• Proficient in situational effectiveness and can structure communications to technical teams and executive level.

Location: Rahway, NJ preferred. Candidate will have reports based in Rahway and West Point, PA, so travel to West Point will be required.

Required Skills

• Adaptability
• Change Agility
• Consulting
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Key Client Relationships
• Manufacturing Scale-Up
• People Leadership
• Pharmaceutical Process Development
• Process Characterization
• Regulatory Experience
• Research and Development Operations (Inactive)
• Results-Oriented
• Teamwork
• Technical Transfer
• Writing Technical Documents

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.

Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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.

• 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.

Employee Status: Regular Relocation: Domestic VISA Sponsorship: Yes Travel Requirements: 10% Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable Shift: 1st - Day Valid Driving License: No Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date: 10/3/2026 *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.

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

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.