Manufacturing Changeover Manager - Drug Substance

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

401(k) retirement benefits

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in the United States seeks a Manufacturing Changeover Manager to lead turnaround activities for Drug Substance operations at the Elkton, VA site.

The role focuses on safe, compliant, efficient execution and the development of a standardized model for campaign transitions. The candidate will coach a diverse team of technicians from mechanical, electrical, and operations backgrounds while partnering with Production Leads and stakeholders to optimize performance and reduce

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline is required.
• Experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing and GMP environments is required.
• Proven leadership of cross-functional teams in turnaround/changeover contexts.
• Strong planning, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination, and execution of turnaround activities for API/Drug Substance operations.
• Ensure safe, compliant, and efficient turnarounds with minimal production disruption.
• Develop a standardized turnaround model for repeatable, predictable transitions.
• Lead a cross-skilled team of mechanical, electrical, and operations personnel.
• Drive lean principles, continuous improvement, and right-first-time performance.
• Monitor performance and drive improvements in schedule adherence, quality, safety, and cycle time.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure readiness and effective execution.

Skills

Aseptic Manufacturing

cGMP Compliance

Data Analysis

Operational Excellence

People Leadership

Planning Ability

Process Compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description Manufacturing Changeover Manager - Drug Substance Job Profile: 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 Manufacturing Changeover Manager - Drug Substance 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 required.
• Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• 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.

Required Skills:

• Adaptability
• Adaptability
• Aseptic Manufacturing
• cGMP Compliance
• Cost Efficiency
• Data Analysis
• Efficiency Improvements
• Employee Performance Standards
• Expectation Management
• Interpersonal Relationships
• Inventory Control Management
• Inventory Management
• Manufacturing Quality Control
• Merchandising Operations
• Operational Efficiency
• Operational Excellence
• Operational Quality
• Packaging Operations
• People Leadership
• People Management
• Performance Improvements
• Performance Metrics
• Planning Ability
• Procedure Adherence
• Process Compliance
• {+ 9 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.

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.

Benefits:

• medical
• dental
• vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: Domestic

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: 1st - Day

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): NA

The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

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.