Director, Operations
Merck
August 24, 2026
On-site
Wilmington, DE
Operations
Director Operations for Drug Product
Principle Roles & Responsibilities / Accountabilities
- Help realize the Wilmington Biotech hi-potent facility strategy; ensure mission/objectives are achieved for compliance, safety, and reliable customer supply.
- As part of Site Leadership Team, shape site/organizational strategies and oversee drug product manufacturing for commercial and new product introductions.
- Support facility start-up to manufacture high-potent products (e.g., antibody drug conjugates/ADCs).
- Collaborate cross-functionally to streamline technology transfers and commercial approvals; lead and empower the operations team.
- Drive continuous learning/improvement; lead/support structures for departmental alignment.
- Use Lean principles and operational/technical excellence to optimize processes amid resource constraints.
- Manage relevant quality topics under the Manufacturing Division QMS and ensure inspection readiness.
- Oversee financial forecasts/workload to improve departmental costs; support sustainability and cost reduction initiatives.
- Use digital tools to improve operational efficiency and decision-making.
- Own site KPIs (hiring, uptime, training, change controls, investigations, CAPAs, yield, volume, cadence, operational availability, etc.).
Qualification and Experience
Required:
- BS +12 years, or MS +10 years, or PhD +8 years in Engineering/Science/Technical or related field.
- 6+ years leading/coaching/mentoring high-performing cross-functional teams.
- Biotech/vaccines/pharma manufacturing experience; specifically drug product sterile manufacturing.
- Experience manufacturing clinical and commercial products.
- Understanding of cGMP for commercial high-potent ADC sterile drug product manufacturing.
Preferred:
- Sterile manufacturing leadership/operations (multi-product preferred); high-performance culture builder; continuous learning; strong decision-making/problem-solving.
Required Skills (selected)
- Lean Manufacturing, Operations Management, People Leadership, Performance Metrics, Process Optimization/Improvement, Quality & Regulatory Compliance, Data Analysis, Customer Delivery, Cross-Functional Project Management.
Benefits (as stated)
- Annual bonus/long-term incentive (if applicable); medical/dental/vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays/vacation, compassionate and sick days.
Application
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub). Apply no later than the day before the posted deadline (end date: 09/14/2026).
Principle Roles & Responsibilities / Accountabilities
- Help realize the Wilmington Biotech hi-potent facility strategy; ensure mission/objectives are achieved for compliance, safety, and reliable customer supply.
- As part of Site Leadership Team, shape site/organizational strategies and oversee drug product manufacturing for commercial and new product introductions.
- Support facility start-up to manufacture high-potent products (e.g., antibody drug conjugates/ADCs).
- Collaborate cross-functionally to streamline technology transfers and commercial approvals; lead and empower the operations team.
- Drive continuous learning/improvement; lead/support structures for departmental alignment.
- Use Lean principles and operational/technical excellence to optimize processes amid resource constraints.
- Manage relevant quality topics under the Manufacturing Division QMS and ensure inspection readiness.
- Oversee financial forecasts/workload to improve departmental costs; support sustainability and cost reduction initiatives.
- Use digital tools to improve operational efficiency and decision-making.
- Own site KPIs (hiring, uptime, training, change controls, investigations, CAPAs, yield, volume, cadence, operational availability, etc.).
Qualification and Experience
Required:
- BS +12 years, or MS +10 years, or PhD +8 years in Engineering/Science/Technical or related field.
- 6+ years leading/coaching/mentoring high-performing cross-functional teams.
- Biotech/vaccines/pharma manufacturing experience; specifically drug product sterile manufacturing.
- Experience manufacturing clinical and commercial products.
- Understanding of cGMP for commercial high-potent ADC sterile drug product manufacturing.
Preferred:
- Sterile manufacturing leadership/operations (multi-product preferred); high-performance culture builder; continuous learning; strong decision-making/problem-solving.
Required Skills (selected)
- Lean Manufacturing, Operations Management, People Leadership, Performance Metrics, Process Optimization/Improvement, Quality & Regulatory Compliance, Data Analysis, Customer Delivery, Cross-Functional Project Management.
Benefits (as stated)
- Annual bonus/long-term incentive (if applicable); medical/dental/vision, retirement (401(k)), paid holidays/vacation, compassionate and sick days.
Application
- Apply via https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or Workday Jobs Hub). Apply no later than the day before the posted deadline (end date: 09/14/2026).