Master Data Specialist, Engineering (Onsite)

Merck; Rahway (NJ); On-site; USD 87,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term incentive

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Merck is seeking an SAP Master Data Specialist for Vaccines and Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D (VAX PR&D). The role supports pilot-scale GMP manufacturing and will transition to Rahway, NJ after an initial assignment in West Point, PA, for 18–24 months.

You will maintain master data, design processes, and ensure compliance across global sites. You will work with cross‑functional teams to govern data standards, develop SOPs, and support continuous improvement in a fast-paced Biologics

Qualifications

• BS or MSc with relevant experience in pilot plant/manufacturing
• Experience with SAP master data and data governance
• Strong communication and Excel skills

Responsibilities

• Maintain and analyze master data accuracy in SAP
• Support standard business processes in GMP pilot operations
• Assist in SOP development and end-user training
• Collaborate with Process Staff, Engineers, IT, and Quality teams
• Participate in process improvement and project planning activities
• Support regulatory inspections and GMP initiatives

Skills

SAP Master Data

Communication skills

Excel

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

BS degree in Engineering/Sciences/Business

Master's degree

Tools

SAP PP (Production Planning)

Job description

Specialist — BPP to NGB Pilot Plant Master Data (SAP)

Our Research Scientists are our Inventors. We identify and target steps in disease mechanisms or pathways that could be inhibited or enhanced. Our goal is to isolate a compound that is effective against a disease target. Using innovative thinking, state‑of‑the‑art facilities and robust scientific methodology, we collaborate to discover the next medical breakthrough.

Applications are sought for an SAP Master Data Specialist in Vaccines and Advanced Biotechnologies Process R&D (VAX PR&D). The role supports pilot‑scale GMP manufacture of bulk biologic clinical supplies (vaccines and therapeutic proteins) and will create, design, and sustain standardized business processes, master data management, system sustainment, and lifecycle material management, while providing support for peer coaching and consultation as needed.

The position will be temporarily based in West Point, PA for approximately 18 months (up to 24 months) to support business needs. After this period, the role is intended to relocate to Rahway, NJ. Applicants should be comfortable with this planned geographic transition.

This role will be part of the VAX PR&D Planning and Manufacturing Systems (PAMS) team before transitioning to support the Next Generation Biologics (NGB) facility— a forthcoming state‑of‑the‑art, multi‑product GMP site at the CMC hub in Rahway, NJ. NGB will enable flexible multi‑suite operations across development and pilot scales, support potent‑material handling, and integrate novel cell‑line and technology platforms. The Biologics Process R&D organization develops drug‑substance manufacturing processes across biotherapeutic modalities and partners with Discovery, Pre‑clinical, Early Development, and Manufacturing to enable clinical supply and commercial launches, including implementation of new technologies and scalable processes.

The SAP Master Data Specialist will use SAP, business process knowledge, and SOPs to maintain alignment with global business processes and site regulatory requirements. The successful candidate will work closely with Process Staff, Formulators, Engineers, IT, Quality, and other team members to understand and execute master data requirements, support cross‑functional initiatives, and contribute to continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Support the creation, maintenance, review, analysis, and accuracy of master data
• Assist in the sustainment, performance, and monitoring of standard business processes in all production execution and master data functions
• Support master data governance activities, including adherence to data standards, stewardship expectations, and escalation processes
• Gather, analyze, and report process performance and transactional discipline metrics to support compliance and continuous improvement efforts
• Collaborate with site and regional/global team members and participate as a member of the site CoP Team as needed
• Assist in the development and maintenance of SOPs and training materials and provide end user training support
• Identify, troubleshoot, and help resolve master data issues, escalating more complex issues as needed
• Participate in process improvement projects and support project planning, stakeholder coordination, and implementation activities
• Identify and support continuous process improvement opportunities and help promote best practices across the network
• Coordinate and share best practices with our company sites in the network
• Serve as a technical resource to team members by providing consultation, coaching, and practical support within area of expertise
• Assist in external agency inspections, as needed
• Support safety, compliance, and GMP initiatives

Qualifications

• BS degree in Engineering, Sciences, Business, or a related field with minimum 2 full years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree with 1+ year of relevant experience

Required Experience And Skills

• Ability and desire to work in a fast‑paced and dynamic pilot plant environment that demands out‑of‑box thinking, prioritization, and rapid response to events and situations
• Direct experience with working with SAP master data
• Strong understanding of manufacturing principles/processes through work experience and ability to translate manufacturing requirements into an Automation/Digital Solution
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team across various functions in a challenging and changing global environment
• Proven track record of analytical skills, problem solving, and attention to detail
• High personal integrity, credibility, and energy
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong computer skills in Excel

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Experience in pharma/sterile manufacturing
• Experience in working with MES systems

Preferred Skills

• Adaptability
• Adaptability
• Business Processes
• cGMP Guidelines
• Continuous Process Improvement
• Data Governance
• Electronic Batch Records
• GMP Compliance
• Laboratory Experiments
• Mammalian Cell Culture
• Oral Communications
• Personal Initiative
• Pilot Plant Operations
• Prioritization
• Process Engineering
• Process Improvement Projects
• Process Optimization
• Product Formulation
• Production Planning
• Regulatory Requirements
• SAP PP (Production Planning)
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Writing
• Sterile Manufacturing
• Teamwork
• Technical Writing
• + 2 more

Salary Range

$87,300.00 - $137,400.00

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

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.

EEO Statement

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.

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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 and Hiring Info

• Employee Status: Regular
• Relocation: Domestic
• VISA Sponsorship: No
• Travel Requirements: No Travel Required
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
• Shift: Not Indicated
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date

• 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: R405942