Manager, Operations - (Turnaround/Changeover)

MSD; Elkton (MD); On-site; USD 96,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD is seeking a Turnaround Lead for its Elkton, VA site to plan, coordinate, and lead API/Drug Substance turnaround activities. You will build a high-performing team, drive safe and compliant execution, and advance a standardized turnaround model across campaigns.

Join a dynamic manufacturing organization focusing on operational excellence, continuous improvement, and collaboration across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Planning, and EHS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or related technical discipline.
• Minimum 5 years in regulated GMP manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading turnaround, changeover, shutdown, or campaign transitions.
• Strong continuous improvement mindset and lean principles.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and coordinating stakeholders.
• Ability to develop standard work and performance metrics.
• Proven leadership with coaching and development skills.
• Excellent planning, problem-solving, and communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination, and execution of API/Drug Substance turnarounds.
• Ensure safe, compliant, efficient turnarounds with minimal disruption.
• Develop a standardized turnaround model for predictable transitions.
• Lead and develop a cross-skilled turnaround team and operators.
• Set clear expectations, accountability, and growth opportunities.
• Coordinate with Production Lead and stakeholders for readiness and alignment.
• Define scope, sequencing, staffing, materials, and work plans in advance.
• Drive right-first-time handoffs and performance across all phases.
• Monitor performance and identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, and cycle time.
• Apply lean tools to eliminate waste and improve efficiency.
• Use standard work and visual management to strengthen turnaround execution.
• Report KPIs like duration, rework, downtime, and quality.

Skills

Adaptability

Aseptic Manufacturing

Biopharmaceutical Industry

cGMP Compliance

Data Analysis

Lean Process Improvements

Manufacturing

Operational Excellence

Production Scheduling

People Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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.

Job Purpose:

The Turnaround Lead is responsible for planning, coordinating, and leading highly effective turnaround activities for the Drug Substance/API operations supporting the future Small Molecule facility in Elkton, VA. This role will ensure safe, compliant, predictable, and highly efficient turnaround execution between manufacturing campaigns ensuring that turnaround targets are achieved.

The incumbent will lead a cross skilled Turnaround team in addition to operators supporting day-to-day facility operations. A key expectation of the role is to build a high-performing team culture that drives accountability, collaboration, operational discipline, and continuous improvement.

In close partnership with the Production Lead and cross-functional stakeholders, this role will establish a repeatable and standardized turnaround model that supports reliable campaign transitions, reduces downtime, and enables long-term operational excellence.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of turnaround activities for API/Drug Substance operations.
• Ensure all turnarounds are executed safely, compliantly, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to manufacturing operations.
• Develop and maintain a standardized, repeatable turnaround model that supports consistent and predictable campaign transitions.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of mechanical, electrical, and operations personnel, as well as operators supporting daily facility operations.
• Establish clear expectations, reinforce accountability, and support the growth and capability of team members.
• Partner with the Production Lead and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure readiness, alignment, and effective execution of turnaround activities.
• Ensure turnaround scope, sequencing, staffing, materials, and work plans are defined in advance and fully prepared for execution.
• Drive disciplined handoffs, strong coordination, and right-first-time performance across all phases of turnaround execution.
• Monitor turnaround performance and identify opportunities to improve schedule adherence, quality, safety, and cycle time.
• Apply lean principles and continuous improvement tools to eliminate waste, reduce variability, and improve operational efficiency.
• Support the use of standard work, visual management, and performance metrics to strengthen turnaround execution.
• Track and report key performance indicators related to turnaround duration, rework, downtime, and execution quality.
• Foster a culture of ownership, teamwork, continuous learning, and operational excellence.
• Support day-to-day facility operations while maintaining focus on turnaround readiness and improvement.
• Contribute to the development of the future Small Molecule operating model in Elkton, VA.

Minimum Required Education, Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree. Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Engineering degree not required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, or other regulated GMP manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading turnaround, changeover, shutdown, campaign transition, or operational readiness activities.
• Strong continuous improvement mindset and practical understanding of lean principles.
• Experience leading teams and coordinating cross-functional stakeholders in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to develop standard work, operating systems, and performance metrics.
• Strong knowledge of safe and compliant execution in regulated operations.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to coach, develop, and motivate teams.
• Strong planning, prioritization, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to work effectively across Operations, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Planning, and EHS.
• Data-driven mindset with the ability to monitor performance and drive improvement.
• High attention to detail and commitment to operational discipline.

#ELKVACOE

Required Skills:

• Adaptability
• Adaptability
• Aseptic Manufacturing
• Biopharmaceutical Industry
• cGMP Compliance
• Data Analysis
• Employee Performance Standards
• Interpersonal Relationships
• Inventory Management
• Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
• Lean Process Improvements
• Manufacturing
• Manufacturing Quality Control
• Operational Efficiency
• Operational Excellence
• Operational Turnarounds
• Organizational Turnarounds
• Packaging Operations
• People Leadership
• Performance Improvements
• Process Engineering
• Process Improvements
• Production Operations
• Production Scheduling
• Productivity Improvements {+ 1 more}

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

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.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

The salary range for this role is

$96,200.00 - $151,400.00

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.

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

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

Domestic/International

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

NA

Job Posting End Date:

10/1/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.