Associate Director, Chemical Technical Operations, North America External Manufacturing
Merck
June 24, 2026
Remote friendly (Cedar Rapids, IA)
United States
Operations
Technical Lead – Chemical Technical Operations (Small Molecule API)
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the technical interface between the Company and assigned External Partners (EP).
- Provide process support to EPs for existing supply products to resolve production issues.
- Evaluate and manage process change requests; proactively identify, assess, and manage process/technical risks.
- Guide process improvement and capacity optimization.
- Oversee EPs during New Product Introductions and Technical Transfers (pre-execution risk identification, on-site execution support, post-execution support).
- Act as primary technical contact; coordinate with impacted company sites.
- 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 on chemical manufacturing matters.
- Review process change requests and deviation reports while ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Perform proactive process monitoring to enable robust manufacturing operations.
Education & Minimum Requirements
- BS (Chemical/biochemical engineering, chemistry, or pharmaceutical sciences) + 7+ years pharma 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
- Strong independent leadership; global/end-to-end supply mindset; cross-functional collaboration.
- Ability to solve complex technical challenges and influence stakeholders.
- Understanding of small molecule pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
- Technical communication tailored to different organizational levels.
- Required skills: Chemical Manufacturing, CMO Management, Communication Management, External Manufacturing/Partners, Manufacturing Operations/Processes, Manufacturing Scale-Up, Process Monitoring, Technical Transfer.
Benefits (if applicable)
- Annual bonus/long-term incentive (if applicable); comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision, retirement/401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate/sick days.
Application
- Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via Workday Jobs Hub).
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the technical interface between the Company and assigned External Partners (EP).
- Provide process support to EPs for existing supply products to resolve production issues.
- Evaluate and manage process change requests; proactively identify, assess, and manage process/technical risks.
- Guide process improvement and capacity optimization.
- Oversee EPs during New Product Introductions and Technical Transfers (pre-execution risk identification, on-site execution support, post-execution support).
- Act as primary technical contact; coordinate with impacted company sites.
- 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 on chemical manufacturing matters.
- Review process change requests and deviation reports while ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Perform proactive process monitoring to enable robust manufacturing operations.
Education & Minimum Requirements
- BS (Chemical/biochemical engineering, chemistry, or pharmaceutical sciences) + 7+ years pharma 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
- Strong independent leadership; global/end-to-end supply mindset; cross-functional collaboration.
- Ability to solve complex technical challenges and influence stakeholders.
- Understanding of small molecule pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
- Technical communication tailored to different organizational levels.
- Required skills: Chemical Manufacturing, CMO Management, Communication Management, External Manufacturing/Partners, Manufacturing Operations/Processes, Manufacturing Scale-Up, Process Monitoring, Technical Transfer.
Benefits (if applicable)
- Annual bonus/long-term incentive (if applicable); comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision, retirement/401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate/sick days.
Application
- Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via Workday Jobs Hub).