Global Quality Governance Director

Merck & Co.; Rahway (NJ); Hybrid; USD 173,000 - 273,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ seeks a Global Quality Compliance Director to lead quality governance across operating units, drive strategy, and elevate risk management with senior leadership.

You will chair GPO, GVO, and GBO Quality Councils, oversee annual Quality Plans, guide remediation, and ensure QMS compliance across a multi-site network through data-driven decisions. This role requires 10+ years in quality/compliance, strong executive communication, and cross-functional leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Engineering, Quality, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience (minimum 10 years) in quality, compliance, quality systems, or regulated manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of QMS governance, risk management, escalation processes, and quality execution expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategy, analyze complex quality data, and translate insights into action.
• Proven track record of influencing and collaborating with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong executive communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multiple priorities, manage ambiguity, and drive accountability across global teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead governance activities for quality councils and ensure strategic focus on risk and performance.
• Prepare executive analyses, presentations, and summaries for senior leadership.
• Facilitate council follow-up, action tracking, and documentation for accountability across sites.
• Identify cross-functional themes and systemic issues and elevate them to leadership forums.
• Assess risk signals, escalate appropriately, and determine escalation paths.
• Coordinate with OpUs to assign leads for QMS topics submitted to governance bodies.
• Oversee quality plans, performance against targets, and timely remediation actions.
• Drive standardization and simplification of QMS processes across OpUs.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives identified through governance forums and audits.

Skills

Action Item Management

Compliance Activities

Coordinating Resources

Customer-Focused

Data Integrity

Driving Continuous Improvement

Efficiency Improvements

Executive Leadership

Executive Presence

Global Coordination

GMP Compliance

Innovation

Mentoring Staff

Operational Quality

Performance Plans

Quality Control Management

Quality Management Systems (QMS)

Quality Metrics

Quality Risk Management

Regulatory Compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Engineering, Quality, or related

Job description

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ seeks a Global Quality Compliance Director to lead quality governance across operating units, drive strategy, and elevate risk management with senior leadership.

You will chair GPO, GVO, and GBO Quality Councils, oversee annual Quality Plans, guide remediation, and ensure QMS compliance across a multi-site network through data-driven decisions. This role requires 10+ years in quality/compliance, strong executive communication, and cross-functional leadership.