Director, Small Molecule Technical Operations

Merck; Elkton (VA); On-site; USD 173,000 - 273,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long‑term incentive

Job summary

Merck in the United States (Elkton, VA area) is seeking a Director and Technical Operations Leader to advance small molecule drug product manufacturing. You will drive tech transfer, scale-up, validation, and lifecycle management with a focus on GMP compliance, data integrity, and auditable processes.

You will lead cross-functional teams across Science & Technology, Operations, Quality, and Regulatory to ensure right‑first‑time execution, robust supply, and continuous improvement in a highly

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science or engineering.
• 10+ years in small molecule drug product process or manufacturing technical operation.
• 7+ years with an advanced degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
• Proven track record in new product introduction, tech transfer, PPQ, scale‑up, process validation, and lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of GMP, ICH guidelines, process safety, and Quality Systems; inspection readiness leadership.
• Strong experience leading complex investigations.
• Evidence of driving organizational transformation and cross‑functional alignment.
• Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and influence skills.

Responsibilities

• Owns site‑level product introductions and tech transfer strategy and execution.
• Coordinates with product science to ensure end‑to‑end risk assessment and control strategy alignment.
• Ensures execution readiness through process stewardship and risk management.
• Evaluates scale‑up strategies and manufacturability for site implementation.
• Lead technical risk reviews and guarantees regulatory readiness.
• Proactively monitor performance and drive improvements.
• Lead portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, and governance.
• Drive transformation programs and embed new ways of working.

Skills

Business Process Improvements

Capital Management

Change Management

Chemical Process Development

Cross‑Functional Leadership

Decision Making

External Manufacturing

GMP Compliance

Innovation

Manufacturing Scale‑Up

Operational Excellence

Operation Risk Management

Process ImprovementsResults‑Oriented

Risk Assessments

Stakeholder Communications

Strategic Thinking

Succession Planning

Technical Issues

Technology Transfer

Transformational Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree - preferably in Science or Engineering

Advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Merck in the United States (Elkton, VA area) is seeking a Director and Technical Operations Leader to advance small molecule drug product manufacturing. You will drive tech transfer, scale-up, validation, and lifecycle management with a focus on GMP compliance, data integrity, and auditable processes.

You will lead cross-functional teams across Science & Technology, Operations, Quality, and Regulatory to ensure right‑first‑time execution, robust supply, and continuous improvement in a highly