Operational Readiness Lead: Technical Training & Compliance

Merck & Co.; Elkton (VA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement benefits

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. seeks an Operational Readiness Lead to boost workforce readiness, environmental compliance, and rapid contingency recovery across site facilities. The role partners with operations to build technical competency and standardize knowledge transfer through formal curricula and SOP alignment.

The candidate will design operator curricula, coordinate SOP updates, and mentor both salaried and union staff to strengthen performance and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Education and hands-on experience in industrial utilities/infrastructure operations per the listed options.
• Experience designing, writing, and executing formal technical curricula for operators.
• Experience planning contingency drills and business continuity preparations.
• Proven ability to collaborate with both salaried and union staff and manage labor relations.
• Technical knowledge of boiler operations, chillers, cooling towers, HVAC, wastewater treatment, and digital control systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop a formal curriculum for operators and first-line managers.
• Review and update SOPs; align mandatory curricula for rapid updates.
• Establish competency matrices and coaching programs to stabilize operations.
• Develop contingency procedures and conduct regular drills for rapid recovery.
• Assist RCA investigations and drive continuous improvement across teams.

Skills

Adaptability

Analytical thinking

Competency management

Contingency planning

Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

Regulatory compliance

Facility management

HVAC systems

Maintenance scheduling

Operations management

Process improvement

Team leadership

Education

High School Diploma/GED + 8 years' direct experience in industrial utilities/infrastructure operations

Associate degree in engineering or related field + 6 years' direct experience

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field + 4 years' direct experience

Job description

Merck & Co., Inc. seeks an Operational Readiness Lead to boost workforce readiness, environmental compliance, and rapid contingency recovery across site facilities. The role partners with operations to build technical competency and standardize knowledge transfer through formal curricula and SOP alignment.

The candidate will design operator curricula, coordinate SOP updates, and mentor both salaried and union staff to strengthen performance and regulatory compliance.