Director, Pharmaceutical Commercialization Technology

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement benefits

Paid holidays, vacation

Job summary

MSD in Rahway, NJ seeks a Director of Pharmaceutical Commercialization Technology to lead a 10–20 person team of engineers and scientists. You will shape strategies for development pipelines, sponsor cross‑functional partnerships, and drive operational excellence across global networks.

Responsibilities include control strategy development, regulatory submissions, and financial forecasting. The role emphasizes safety, quality, inclusion, and continuous improvement in a high‑impact, on‑site

Qualifications

• BS in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field with 12+ years; MS with 10+ years; or PhD with 8+ years.
• Deep technical expertise in the function.
• Knowledge of oral drug product formulation and process development, scale-up, and tech transfer.
• Experience with regulatory submissions and responses.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of product portfolio and control strategies across scales.
• Drive results and execution within PCT portfolio.
• Translate priorities into actionable steps and drive delivery.
• Sponsor continuous improvement and sponsor cross-functional teams.
• Develop partner relationships and sponsorship frameworks.
• Oversee core functions: PCT Source, APEX, safety, digital strategy.

Skills

Technical leadership

Regulatory submissions

Cross-functional leadership

GMP knowledge

Change management

Drug development

Process transfer

Quality mindset

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Master of Science in related field

PhD in related field

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 (Required)

• 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.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in supporting supply investigations.

Location

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

WE2026 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.

Preferred Skills

• Preferred Skills.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are 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.

Benefits

• 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.

Salary Range (Primary Location: USA - New Jersey - Rahway)

Where required by law, the compensation range for this role is provided below. The salary range for the primary location of this role is: $173,200.00 - $272,600.00. This range reflects the Company’s reasonable expectation of the base salary applicable to this role at the time of 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.