Production Lead – FLEx Non-Sterile Operations (Onsite)
Merck
August 18, 2026
On-site
Rahway, NJ
Operations
Position Summary
Associate Director, Production Operations serves as Production Lead for FLEx Non-Sterile operations, accountable for end-to-end manufacturing readiness, production scheduling, and execution across first and second shifts. Provides direct leadership to production teams to ensure safe, compliant, and reliable clinical manufacturing campaign execution.
Primary Responsibilities
- Lead manufacturing operations across all shift teams; provide direction to Production Supervisors and technicians.
- Ensure safe, compliant, efficient execution; own daily performance, schedule attainment, and operational metrics.
- Set priorities and align across shifts; drive accountability via tiered meetings and performance management; serve as escalation point for execution challenges/risks.
- Own readiness processes: staffing, training, equipment/material availability; run cross-functional readiness reviews; mitigate schedule risks; ensure shift turnover/communications; partner with Tech Ops/Process Engineering.
- Own granular production schedule; translate demand into executable plans; balance priorities/capacity/staffing/equipment; chair scheduling meetings; monitor adherence and implement recovery; optimize sequencing/changeovers.
- Lead/develop organization: coaching, performance management, talent development, succession planning, engagement, continuous improvement.
- Drive operational excellence using Lean/ MPS/ problem-solving; establish performance dashboards.
- Partner cross-functionally with Tech Ops, Process Engineering, Supply Chain/Scheduling, Quality/Compliance, and Facilities/Maintenance.
- Ensure GMP/safety/environmental compliance; inspection readiness; support deviations/CAPAs/change controls/risk assessments; drive right-first-time; ensure required training/qualification.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (Engineering/Science/Operations Mgmt or related) or 15+ years in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- 8+ years pharma/biotech/manufacturing operations; 5+ years people leadership.
- Demonstrated leadership of GMP manufacturing operations.
- Strong production planning/scheduling/execution; proven cross-functional leadership.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree; clinical supply manufacturing experience; Lean Six Sigma (or equivalent); multi-shift operations; knowledge of scheduling systems (SAP), digital manufacturing, manufacturing analytics.
Required Skills
Change management; decision making; GMP; Lean Six Sigma process improvement; manufacturing/operations management; people leadership; process improvements; strategic thinking/alliances.
Preferred Skills
Continuous improvement; Lean Six Sigma; manufacturing operations.
Benefits / Incentives / Pay
- Annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable).
- Comprehensive benefits (medical/dental/vision, retirement/401(k), paid holidays/vacation, compassionate and sick days).
- Salary range: $129,000.00–$203,100.00.
Application Instructions
- Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (Workday Jobs Hub for current employees).
Associate Director, Production Operations serves as Production Lead for FLEx Non-Sterile operations, accountable for end-to-end manufacturing readiness, production scheduling, and execution across first and second shifts. Provides direct leadership to production teams to ensure safe, compliant, and reliable clinical manufacturing campaign execution.
Primary Responsibilities
- Lead manufacturing operations across all shift teams; provide direction to Production Supervisors and technicians.
- Ensure safe, compliant, efficient execution; own daily performance, schedule attainment, and operational metrics.
- Set priorities and align across shifts; drive accountability via tiered meetings and performance management; serve as escalation point for execution challenges/risks.
- Own readiness processes: staffing, training, equipment/material availability; run cross-functional readiness reviews; mitigate schedule risks; ensure shift turnover/communications; partner with Tech Ops/Process Engineering.
- Own granular production schedule; translate demand into executable plans; balance priorities/capacity/staffing/equipment; chair scheduling meetings; monitor adherence and implement recovery; optimize sequencing/changeovers.
- Lead/develop organization: coaching, performance management, talent development, succession planning, engagement, continuous improvement.
- Drive operational excellence using Lean/ MPS/ problem-solving; establish performance dashboards.
- Partner cross-functionally with Tech Ops, Process Engineering, Supply Chain/Scheduling, Quality/Compliance, and Facilities/Maintenance.
- Ensure GMP/safety/environmental compliance; inspection readiness; support deviations/CAPAs/change controls/risk assessments; drive right-first-time; ensure required training/qualification.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (Engineering/Science/Operations Mgmt or related) or 15+ years in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- 8+ years pharma/biotech/manufacturing operations; 5+ years people leadership.
- Demonstrated leadership of GMP manufacturing operations.
- Strong production planning/scheduling/execution; proven cross-functional leadership.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree; clinical supply manufacturing experience; Lean Six Sigma (or equivalent); multi-shift operations; knowledge of scheduling systems (SAP), digital manufacturing, manufacturing analytics.
Required Skills
Change management; decision making; GMP; Lean Six Sigma process improvement; manufacturing/operations management; people leadership; process improvements; strategic thinking/alliances.
Preferred Skills
Continuous improvement; Lean Six Sigma; manufacturing operations.
Benefits / Incentives / Pay
- Annual bonus and long-term incentive (if applicable).
- Comprehensive benefits (medical/dental/vision, retirement/401(k), paid holidays/vacation, compassionate and sick days).
- Salary range: $129,000.00–$203,100.00.
Application Instructions
- Apply at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (Workday Jobs Hub for current employees).