Associate Director, Engineering- Packaging Commercialization

Merck & Co. • West Point, PA

92d • $126,500 - $199,100 • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director, Engineering, Packaging Commercialization will lead packaging development for new products including parenteral products including small molecules, biologics, vaccines and oral solid dosage. This role involves collaborating with stakeholders across the end-to-end continuum of CMC areas and requires both an understanding of packaging as well as prior experience developing and commercializing new products on cross-functional teams. The Associate Director will be accountable for the definition and execution of overall packaging strategies that meet global network needs. Responsibilities include ensuring packaging system designs are robust, packaging processes are efficient, and control strategies are integrated with both upstream and downstream needs. They will ensure activities supporting these program deliverables are executed with technical rigor and drive risk understanding and reduction prior to product launch. The packaging development lead will be accountable for technical risk assessments, packaging specifications, and qualification activities, while ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards and sustainability goals. Individuals in this role will lead with ownership and accountability for representing, communicating, and balancing the interests of stakeholders. They will have an ability to effectively drive the right risk posture that balances technical probability, cost and resources, and trade-offs across various groups. The role requires strong technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to navigate complex situations in a fast-paced environment, all while aligning packaging with product and patient needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, or similar field with ten (10) years of relevant pharmaceutical development experience; OR Master of Science (M.S.) in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, or similar field with eight (8) years of relevant pharmaceutical development experience; OR PhD in Packaging Engineering, Packaging Science, Mechanical Engineering, or similar field with five (5) years of relevant pharmaceutical development experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of pharmaceutical development process and ability to design, develop, and test primary and secondary packaging components.
• Demonstrated understanding of Medical Device and Combination Product regulations.
• Demonstrated understanding of the use of Risk Assessment tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a larger team.
• Demonstrated experience in leading cross-functional groups both internally and externally.
• Demonstrated project management experience and ability to provide technical leadership for complex projects while managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent technical written and oral communication skills that support presentation of information clearly and concisely for all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current US, and global Regulations, ICH guidance, ISO standards, and quality system regulations for pharmaceutical packaging.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders.
• Ability to manage complex programs and support multiple activities/projects.
• Willingness to grow and learn all areas of Pharmaceutical new product development.

Nice To Haves

• Medical Device and Combination Product Packaging development experience.
• Quality by Design (QbD) experience.
• Experience in defining standard work processes and documents.
• Experience specifying, processing and characterizing packaging materials including rigid and flexible barriers, pulp/paperboard and recyclables.

Responsibilities

• Lead packaging development for new products including parenteral products, small molecules, biologics, vaccines, and oral solid dosage.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the end-to-end continuum of CMC areas.
• Define and execute overall packaging strategies that meet global network needs.
• Ensure packaging system designs are robust and packaging processes are efficient.
• Integrate control strategies with both upstream and downstream needs.
• Execute activities supporting program deliverables with technical rigor.
• Drive risk understanding and reduction prior to product launch.
• Accountable for technical risk assessments, packaging specifications, and qualification activities.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory standards and sustainability goals.
• Represent, communicate, and balance the interests of stakeholders.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family).
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k).
• Paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Chemical Manufacturing
• Education Level: Master's degree