Operations Manager

MSD UK; Millsboro (DE); On-site; USD 96,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck's Millsboro site seeks a seasoned supervisor for the Cell Fermentation department to lead facilities, equipment, and personnel in a high‑stakes manufacturing environment. You will guide aseptic operations, review production records, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across cross‑functional teams.

The role requires 5+ years in manufacturing with 1+ year in leadership, strong analytical and communication skills, and proficiency in SAP and Microsoft Office.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of relevant work experience in a manufacturing environment.
• One or more years in a leadership capacity.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; strong communication and analytical skills.
• Experience with cGMP and aseptic manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Cell Fermentation facilities, equipment, and staff; coordinate temporary labor.
• Lead safety initiatives and ensure compliance with Safe by Choice programs.
• Supervise aseptic procedures including media prep, antigen handling, and harvest.
• Review production records for compliance with SOPs and regulatory requirements.
• Provide training to personnel on regulatory policies and best practices.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to maximize throughput and meet schedules.
• Support equipment procurement, installation, and vendor interactions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives (KATA/KAIZEN) and Tier 1/2/4 communications.

Skills

Adaptability

Aseptic Manufacturing

cGMP Compliance

Data Analysis

Employee Performance Standards

Interpersonal Relationships

Inventory Management

Manufacturing Quality Control

Operational Excellence

Packaging Operations

People Leadership

Process Engineering

Process Improvements

Production Scheduling

Sterile Filling

Education

High School diploma with six years of leadership experience in manufacturing or GMP/biotech

Associate's degree with four years of leadership experience in manufacturing or GMP/biotech

Bachelor’s degree with four years manufacturing or two years GMP/biotech leadership experience

Tools

SAP

Job description

For over 130 years, we have pioneered groundbreaking science. Today, we are driven by continuous innovation to develop breakthrough medicines, vaccines and technology. Rooted in direct experience on the farm and in the clinic, we work hand in hand with our customers every step of the way.

Our singular focus is to empower those who care for animals, helping them manage their vital responsibility with confidence. Because when it comes to animal health, no one sees it like we do.

Our Manufacturing Operations teams are the people that make our products. We work in the manufacturing plants with a “Safety First, Quality Always” mindset striving for continuous improvement. We work in the local plant connected to our global manufacturing network to ensure the highest quality of raw materials, intermediates and finished products.

Our Company's Animal Health is a BioTechnology Center of Excellence that performs vaccine production operations from antigen production through formulation, filling and packaging. With expertise in mammalian, insect and avian cell culture production (anchorage & non-anchorage dependent), live bird vaccine production, embryonated egg vaccine production, roller bottle vaccine production, bioreactor vaccine production and down-stream processing (water in oil emulsions, aseptic filling, lyophilization, etc.), the Millsboro site supplies and supports products for a wide range of species including poultry, equine, swine, bovine and companion animal.

Position Responsibilities

• Supervision of facilities, equipment and personnel in the Cell Fermentation department, including coordination of additional labor, such as temporary employees or other departments
• Participate and support the Safe by Choice programs at the site. Lead safety by example
• Supervision of aseptic procedures including media preparation, antigen inoculation and harvest, tissue culture preparation and harvest, etc.
• Antigen storage and sampling for testing
• Review and revise processes and procedures against corporate and regulatory requirements to ensure compliance
• Review production records for completeness and compliance to departmental and/or Site SOPs
• Provide training to personnel to stay current with all regulatory agencies and corporate policies
• Evaluate personnel and machinery requirements and make and/or implement recommendations for changes and improvements
• Participation in daily activities to understand requirements and issues
• Provide guidance to personnel to maximize throughput while meeting regulatory requirements
• Coordination with venders to determine equipment options
• Assist in the procurement and installation of new equipment
• Provide effective solutions to projects with a high level of technical difficulties and internal constraints
• Scheduling and planning for department requirements
• Coordinate with Media, Blend, Filling, Central Services, Packaging and Planning personnel to maximize utilization of resources
• Coordinate resources between areas of production utilizing our Tier process to meet scheduling requirements
• Provide training, coordinate problem solving issues with Third Party
• Communicate and track critical component issues and work with venders for resolution
• Ensure proper safety procedures, standard operation procedures and aseptic techniques are followed
• Review current practices and ensure employees meet or exceed current procedures and techniques
• Coordinate SAP and data base entry and the movement of finished goods and in-process products between facilities
• Including inventory movement and production key performance indicators
• Other duties as assigned, such as scheduling equipment maintenance, various trouble shooting and contribute as needed on cross-functional teams
• Participate in KATA’s and KAIZEN’s for our continuous improvement program
• Lead Tier 1 communication meetings and provide input into Tier 2 and Tier 4 level meetings

Education Requirement

• High School diploma or equivalent with six (6) years of relevant leadership experience within a manufacturing environment or military service or five (5) years’ experience in a direct GMP, biotechnology manufacturing setting with demonstrated leadership skills
• OR Associate's degree with four (4) years of relevant leadership experience within a manufacturing environment or military service or three (3) years’ experience in a direct GMP, biotechnology manufacturing setting with demonstrated leadership skills
• OR Bachelor’s degree with either four (4) years of relevant experience in manufacturing or military service or two (2) years’ experience in a direct GMP, biotechnology manufacturing setting with demonstrated leadership skills

Required Experience and Skills

• Five (5)+ years of relevant work experience within a manufacturing environment
• One (1)+ years of experience in a leadership capacity.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Strategic and effective communication skills
• High analytical and logical problem-solving abilities
• Strategic and optimistic teambuilding skills that focus on mentoring and coaching

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience working within vaccine and/or pharmaceutical Industry
• Working knowledge of USDA/GMP Guidelines
• Working knowledge of aseptic techniques and aseptic filling operations
• Strong knowledge of cell culture processes, bioreactors, and process equipment
• Working knowledge of SAP (operating system)

Required Skills

• Adaptability
• Aseptic Manufacturing
• cGMP Compliance
• Data Analysis
• Employee Performance Standards
• Interpersonal Relationships
• Inventory Management
• Manufacturing Quality Control
• Operational Excellence
• Packaging Operations
• People Leadership
• Process Engineering
• Process Improvements
• Production Scheduling
• Sterile Filling

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 an 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.

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.

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

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: No relocation

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: 1st - Day

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Job Posting End Date: 09/8/2026*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.