Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Site Lead

Merck & Co.; De Soto (KS); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Medical insurance

401(k) retirement benefits

Paid holidays

Job summary

Merck & Co. invites applications for an MES Site Lead at the DeSoto, KS site within the Digital Records Design Hub. Lead MES activities, drive on-floor support for manufacturing, and ensure MES recipes and validations remain compliant with SDLC and regulatory standards.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, and managing vendor performance while maintaining validated automation systems and documentation.

Qualifications

• BS degree in a technical field (engineering or science) or equivalent.
• Minimum of five (5) years' experience in MES.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and escalate when needed.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally, delivering technical solutions for MES.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Knowledge of regulatory/code requirements to USDA, European and International Codes, Standards and Practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and job-related computer applications.
• Report, standards, policy writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Participate in Tier process and proactively resolve issues.
• Support MES components of the process on-floor for manufacturing activities.
• Develop and implement MES v3.4 methodologies and future versions per policies and regulations.
• Manage vendor performance and contracts.
• Support investigations and finding resolutions for MES problems.
• Maintain MES recipes and capabilities; collaborate for robust functionality.
• Prepare and perform Update/Change processes and ensure timely closure.

Skills

MES experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Regulatory knowledge

Microsoft Office

Education

BS in engineering or science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

An opportunity has arisen for an MES (Manufacturing Execution System) Site Lead to join our team at the high-tech DeSoto site, within the Digital Records Design Hub. At our company, we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. We're at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. Join us to use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world.

Responsibilities

• Active participation in the Tier process and proactively resolving technical issues before they impact the business priorities.
• Responsible and accountable for supporting MES related components of the process including on-floor support of manufacturing activities.
• Active participation in the Tier process and proactively resolving technical issues before they impact the business priorities.
• Developing and implementing optimal methodologies for the management of MES Systems Version 3.4 and future Versions, in compliance with company policies, quality regulations and industry norms.
• Managing vendor performance and contracts
• Supporting investigations by finding resolutions to MES problems
• Supporting, maintaining, and developing MES recipes and capabilities
• Collaborating with other technical functions to provide robust recipes and functionality that deliver reliable and sustainable performance.
• Preparing and performing Update/Change Process and ensure they are raised and closed on time in compliance with required quality standards.
• Providing expertise and technical knowledge to technical functions on MES
• Performing MES administration and maintenance and ensure automation systems remain in a validated state.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Developing and update SOP's and conduct MES training.
• Ensuring all documents must comply with SDLC (System Development Life Cycle) requirements.
• Represent De Soto MES team within our Company global & corporate teams

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in a technical field (engineering or science) or equivalent.
• Minimum of five (5) years' experience in Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and know when to escalator for resolution.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally, delivering technical solutions to MES issues.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Knowledge of regulatory/code requirements to USDA, European and International Codes, Standards and Practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and job-related computer applications.
• Report, standards, policy writing skills.

Preferred

• Experience in the application of Lean Six Sigma Methodology.
• Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology manufacturing process experience.
• Extensive knowledge of equipment and process validation.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to interface effectively with all levels of colleagues in a team environment, and with external customers.
• Customer-focused.
• Self-motivated with a flexible approach.
• Effective time management and multi-tasking skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong data analysis capability.
• Training skills.
• Demonstrable analytical and systematic problem-solving skills.
• Leadership qualities include focus on customers and patients, collaboration, acting with candor and courage, making rapid, disciplined decisions, driving results, building talent, and demonstrating ethics and integrity.

Required Skills:

Audit Management, Audit Management, Automation, Automation Systems, Business Process Improvements, Communication, Corporate Ethics, Customer-Focused, Data Analysis Tools, Data Management, Decision Making, Ethical Standards, Multitasking, Proactive Behavior, Problem Identification, Problem Management, Public Policy Writing, Quality Management, Real-Time Programming, Regulatory Compliance, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Standards Compliance, Task Management, Team Communication, Vendor Management {+ 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.

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:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

09/30/2026

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

Requisition ID:

R414791

The salary range for this role is
$117,000.00 - $184,200.00

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 .

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.

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.-