Assoc. Spclst, Prep Lab Operations Specialist (Onsite)
Merck
August 24, 2026
On-site
Rahway, NJ
Operations
Primary Responsibilities
- Support Prep Lab operations preparing for manufacturing API and DS for development work and clinical studies (kg-scale), interfacing with scientists and Project teams.
- Collaborate with teams to understand equipment/processing needs; support manufacture as required.
- Ensure the facility is kept GMP ready at all times.
- Partner with Safety and Quality to maintain compliance with applicable regulations.
- Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency/effectiveness of Prep Lab operations.
Additional Responsibilities (Required)
- Provide direct support to other CERD areas including Modality Agnostic Chemistry Scaleup (MACS) and Small Scale Organics Pilot Plant (SSO) as needed.
Education Minimum Requirement
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences (or related field) + 1 year relevant experience
- OR Associate degree (Process Technology ideally) + 6 years’ experience
- OR High school/GED + 8 years relevant experience (pharma/chemical/petrochemical/food processing/manufacturing)
Required Experience and Skills
- Strong verbal/written communication; organizational skills; willingness to learn/contribute/lead; independent problem-solving.
- Strong mechanical aptitude; technical writing; proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, graphing, and presentation software.
- Onsite 5 days/week; 8-hour shifts (may occasionally be 2nd shift); occasional overtime as needed.
Desired Experience and Skills
- GMP clinical/manufacturing supply facility experience; small molecule drug substance/biologics process development; compliance investigations/change management.
- Ability to prepare or leverage SOPs and cGMP documents; pilot/prep lab equipment operation/maintenance; potent processing/containment or clean room experience; cGMP/GDP/S&E familiarity; Lean Six Sigma training/certification.
Required Skills
- Equipment maintenance, GMP, manufacturing technologies, multitasking, process optimization, spreadsheets, teamwork.
Compensation/Benefits
- Salary range: $71,900.00–$113,200.00; annual bonus and long-term incentive eligibility (if applicable). Comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision, 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and sick/compassionate days.
Application Instructions
- Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub if current employee).
- Support Prep Lab operations preparing for manufacturing API and DS for development work and clinical studies (kg-scale), interfacing with scientists and Project teams.
- Collaborate with teams to understand equipment/processing needs; support manufacture as required.
- Ensure the facility is kept GMP ready at all times.
- Partner with Safety and Quality to maintain compliance with applicable regulations.
- Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency/effectiveness of Prep Lab operations.
Additional Responsibilities (Required)
- Provide direct support to other CERD areas including Modality Agnostic Chemistry Scaleup (MACS) and Small Scale Organics Pilot Plant (SSO) as needed.
Education Minimum Requirement
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences (or related field) + 1 year relevant experience
- OR Associate degree (Process Technology ideally) + 6 years’ experience
- OR High school/GED + 8 years relevant experience (pharma/chemical/petrochemical/food processing/manufacturing)
Required Experience and Skills
- Strong verbal/written communication; organizational skills; willingness to learn/contribute/lead; independent problem-solving.
- Strong mechanical aptitude; technical writing; proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, graphing, and presentation software.
- Onsite 5 days/week; 8-hour shifts (may occasionally be 2nd shift); occasional overtime as needed.
Desired Experience and Skills
- GMP clinical/manufacturing supply facility experience; small molecule drug substance/biologics process development; compliance investigations/change management.
- Ability to prepare or leverage SOPs and cGMP documents; pilot/prep lab equipment operation/maintenance; potent processing/containment or clean room experience; cGMP/GDP/S&E familiarity; Lean Six Sigma training/certification.
Required Skills
- Equipment maintenance, GMP, manufacturing technologies, multitasking, process optimization, spreadsheets, teamwork.
Compensation/Benefits
- Salary range: $71,900.00–$113,200.00; annual bonus and long-term incentive eligibility (if applicable). Comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision, 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and sick/compassionate days.
Application Instructions
- Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub if current employee).