Packaging Technical Lead (Associate Director)

MSD Malaysia; West Point (PA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

401(k) Retirement Benefits

Paid Holidays & Paid Vacation

Job summary

Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway, NJ, seeks an Associate Director, Packaging, to define and execute global packaging strategies that meet network needs.

You will ensure packaging designs are robust, processes efficient, and control strategies integrated with upstream and downstream activities, guiding risk reduction before product launch. Requirements include a BS in Packaging Engineering or related field with 8–10 years of pharma development experience, as well as expertise in blow-fill-seal

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, or similar field with ten (10) years of relevant pharmaceutical development experience; OR MS/PhD with 8 years.
• Demonstrated understanding of pharmaceutical development process and ability to design, develop, and test packaging components.
• Knowledge of Risk Assessment tools and regulatory standards for pharmaceutical packaging.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute global packaging strategies meeting network needs.
• Ensure packaging designs are robust and processes efficient with integrated control strategies.
• Lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with stakeholders across CMC areas.

Skills

Cross-functional Leadership

GMP

Project Management

Risk Assessment

Packaging Engineering

Regulatory Knowledge

Communication Skills

Education

B.S. in Packaging Engineering/Packaging Science

MS/PhD in related field

Tools

Blow-Fill-Seal

Job description

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. We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world.

We are seeking an Associate Director, Packaging, to join our team and lead the definition and execution of overall packaging strategies that meet global network needs. The Associate Director will be accountable for the definition and execution of overall packaging strategies that meet global network needs. Responsibilities include ensuring packaging system designs are robust, packaging processes are efficient, and control strategies are integrated with both upstream and downstream needs. They will ensure activities supporting these program deliverables are executed with technical rigor and drive risk understanding and reduction prior to product launch.

Responsibilities

• Ensure packaging system designs are robust, packaging processes are efficient, and control strategies are integrated with both upstream and downstream needs.
• Drive risk understanding and reduction prior to product launch.
• Conduct technical risk assessments, develop packaging specifications, and oversee qualification activities.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory standards and sustainability goals.
• Represent, communicate, and balance the interests of stakeholders.
• Drive the right risk posture that balances technical probability, cost, resources, and trade-offs across various groups.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the end-to-end continuum of CMC areas.
• Develop and commercialize new products on cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, or similar field with ten (10) years of relevant pharmaceutical development experience; OR MS/PhD with 8 years
• Demonstrated understanding of pharmaceutical development process and ability to design, develop, and test primary and secondary packaging components.
• Demonstrated understanding of the use of Risk Assessment tools.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a larger team.
• Experience in leading cross-functional groups both internally and externally.
• Experience with blow-fill-seal technologies for sterile pharmaceutical packaging systems.
• Project management experience and ability to provide technical leadership for complex projects while managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent technical written and oral communication skills that support presentation of information clearly and concisely for all levels of the organization.
• Knowledge of current US and global Regulations, ICH guidance, ISO standards, and quality system regulations for pharmaceutical packaging.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence senior leaders.
• Ability to manage complex programs and support multiple activities/projects.
• Willingness to grow and learn all areas of Pharmaceutical new product development.
• Preferred Medical Device and Combination Product Packaging development experience.
• Quality Risk Management, Risk-Based Decision Making, and Quality by Design (QbD) experience.
• Experience in defining standard work processes and documents.
• Experience specifying, processing, and characterizing packaging materials including rigid and flexible barriers, pulp/paperboard, and recyclables.

Required Skills

Ability to Coordinate, Ability to Coordinate, Change Management, Collaborative Leadership, Combination Products, Competency Management, Compliance Packaging, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Detail-Oriented, Deviation Management, Engineering Standards, Global Coordination, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Group Processes, ISO Compliance, Legal Compliance, Manufacturing Scale‑Up, Mentorship, Packaging Engineering, Procedure Writing, Process Definition, Process Optimization, Project Leadership, Project Management Leadership, Project Team Management.

Preferred Skills

Preferred Medical Device and Combination Product Packaging development experience. Quality Risk Management, Risk-Based Decision Making, and Quality by Design (QbD) experience. Experience in defining standard work processes and documents. Experience specifying, processing, and characterizing packaging materials including rigid and flexible barriers, pulp/paperboard, and recyclables.

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.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $129,000.00 - $203,100.00. 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.

Employee Status & Relocation

• Employee Status: Regular
• Relocation: No relocation
• VISA Sponsorship: No
• Travel Requirements: 25%
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable
• Shift: 1st - Day
• Valid Driving License: No
• Hazardous Material(s): n/a

EEO & Diversity Statement

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.

Hiring Policies

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 Representation

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.

Job Posting End Date

Job Posting End Date: 10/21/2026

Company Culture

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.