Director, Chemical Technical Operations, North America External Manufacturing
Merck
June 30, 2026
Remote friendly (Des Moines Metropolitan Area)
United States
Operations
Primary Responsibilities
- Lead North America API External Manufacturing (ExM) Technical Operations technical oversight for external contract manufacturing facilities (APIs and intermediates), driving portfolio management, continuous improvement, and talent development.
- Partner with ExM Operations, ExM Quality, Business Development, Supply Chain, and Global Procurement to support API supply, including new product introductions, sustained commercial supply, risk management, and sourcing.
- Coach and develop the team; oversee direct reports’ career development plans.
- Apply operational excellence to improve efficiency/effectiveness; ensure technical excellence in routine supply.
- Lead process optimization to enhance competitiveness.
- Drive Proactive Process Monitoring for robust manufacturing and early detection of process issues.
- Establish compliant manufacturing capabilities at partner CMOs; direct data-driven, safe, compliant resolution of complex technical/business challenges.
- Oversee scale-up/optimization, new technology deployment, pre-approval inspection readiness, validation protocol development, process validation (PPQ) and Continued Process Verification at external suppliers.
Education Requirement
- BS in technical field with 10+ years relevant pharma experience; or MS with 7+ years; or PhD with 5+ years.
Qualifications
- Leadership experience in Technical Operations, Process Development, Manufacturing, Quality Operations, or Engineering.
- Experience resolving complex technical issues impacting supply continuity.
- Experience with traditional API processing and introducing new technologies/ways of working.
- Advantageous: biocatalysts/enzyme manufacturing, flow chemistry, highly potent compounds, sterile/low bioburden DS.
- Frequent travel ~25%.
Required Skills
- Cross-functional leadership, decision making, external manufacturing, GMP compliance, results-oriented leadership, manufacturing.
Application Instructions
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en. Application deadline is the date shown on the posting (job posting effective until 11:59:59PM the day before 07/04/2026).
- Lead North America API External Manufacturing (ExM) Technical Operations technical oversight for external contract manufacturing facilities (APIs and intermediates), driving portfolio management, continuous improvement, and talent development.
- Partner with ExM Operations, ExM Quality, Business Development, Supply Chain, and Global Procurement to support API supply, including new product introductions, sustained commercial supply, risk management, and sourcing.
- Coach and develop the team; oversee direct reports’ career development plans.
- Apply operational excellence to improve efficiency/effectiveness; ensure technical excellence in routine supply.
- Lead process optimization to enhance competitiveness.
- Drive Proactive Process Monitoring for robust manufacturing and early detection of process issues.
- Establish compliant manufacturing capabilities at partner CMOs; direct data-driven, safe, compliant resolution of complex technical/business challenges.
- Oversee scale-up/optimization, new technology deployment, pre-approval inspection readiness, validation protocol development, process validation (PPQ) and Continued Process Verification at external suppliers.
Education Requirement
- BS in technical field with 10+ years relevant pharma experience; or MS with 7+ years; or PhD with 5+ years.
Qualifications
- Leadership experience in Technical Operations, Process Development, Manufacturing, Quality Operations, or Engineering.
- Experience resolving complex technical issues impacting supply continuity.
- Experience with traditional API processing and introducing new technologies/ways of working.
- Advantageous: biocatalysts/enzyme manufacturing, flow chemistry, highly potent compounds, sterile/low bioburden DS.
- Frequent travel ~25%.
Required Skills
- Cross-functional leadership, decision making, external manufacturing, GMP compliance, results-oriented leadership, manufacturing.
Application Instructions
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en. Application deadline is the date shown on the posting (job posting effective until 11:59:59PM the day before 07/04/2026).