Associate Director, Chemical Technical Operations, North America External Manufacturing
Merck
June 24, 2026
Remote friendly (Des Moines Metropolitan Area)
United States
Operations
Technical Lead – Small Molecule API Chemical Technical Operations (North America External Manufacturing Network)
Responsibilities
- Manage the technical interface between the company and External Partners.
- Provide process support to External Partners for existing supply products (resolve production issues).
- Evaluate and manage process change requests; proactively assess/manage process/technical risks.
- Guide process improvement and capacity optimization.
- Oversee External Partners during New Product Introductions and Technical Transfers (pre-execution risk identification, on-site execution support, post-execution support).
- Serve as primary technical contact; coordinate with impacted company sites and partners.
- Initiate and drive change controls to completion.
- Provide rapid support to minimize supply disruptions.
- Collaborate with Research Laboratories on NPI/Tech Transfers and new technology development.
- Conduct technical due diligence and provide expert consultation.
- Review process change requests and deviation reports with regulatory compliance.
- Perform proactive process monitoring.
Education & Minimum Requirements
- BS in a technical field (Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Pharmaceutical Sciences) + 7 years relevant industry experience; or MS + 5 years; or PhD + 3 years.
- Experience in small molecule API manufacturing (production, development, optimization, tech transfer).
- Travel up to 50%.
Qualifications/Required Skills
- Organizational independence; leadership, global mindset, end-to-end supply chain perspective; stakeholder influence.
- Deep understanding of small molecule pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Strong technical communication.
- Required skills include Chemical Manufacturing, CMO Management, External Manufacturing/Partners, Manufacturing Operations/Processes/Scale-Up, Process Monitoring, Technical Transfer.
Apply
- Current employees/contingent workers apply via the provided “HERE” link; all others apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en. Application deadline is listed on the posting.
Responsibilities
- Manage the technical interface between the company and External Partners.
- Provide process support to External Partners for existing supply products (resolve production issues).
- Evaluate and manage process change requests; proactively assess/manage process/technical risks.
- Guide process improvement and capacity optimization.
- Oversee External Partners during New Product Introductions and Technical Transfers (pre-execution risk identification, on-site execution support, post-execution support).
- Serve as primary technical contact; coordinate with impacted company sites and partners.
- Initiate and drive change controls to completion.
- Provide rapid support to minimize supply disruptions.
- Collaborate with Research Laboratories on NPI/Tech Transfers and new technology development.
- Conduct technical due diligence and provide expert consultation.
- Review process change requests and deviation reports with regulatory compliance.
- Perform proactive process monitoring.
Education & Minimum Requirements
- BS in a technical field (Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Pharmaceutical Sciences) + 7 years relevant industry experience; or MS + 5 years; or PhD + 3 years.
- Experience in small molecule API manufacturing (production, development, optimization, tech transfer).
- Travel up to 50%.
Qualifications/Required Skills
- Organizational independence; leadership, global mindset, end-to-end supply chain perspective; stakeholder influence.
- Deep understanding of small molecule pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Strong technical communication.
- Required skills include Chemical Manufacturing, CMO Management, External Manufacturing/Partners, Manufacturing Operations/Processes/Scale-Up, Process Monitoring, Technical Transfer.
Apply
- Current employees/contingent workers apply via the provided “HERE” link; all others apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en. Application deadline is listed on the posting.