Associate Director, Engineering

Merck • Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Our Packaging Technical Operations (PTO) team is where we ensure the seamless supply support of primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging for our diverse portfolio of oral solid dosage and parenteral products. In this vital role, you will contribute to the assembly and distribution of innovative solutions that support our company's mission in Human Health, covering small molecules, biologics, and vaccines. Be part of a dedicated team that thrives on compliance and robustness, driving excellence in logistics technology and making a meaningful impact in the healthcare field! Purpose of the role Our innovative team is a key player in designing and implementing a range of exciting technical projects! This role involves leveraging your expertise in packaging, particularly in thermal protection systems and in distribution testing. We value the application of sound scientific principles and encourage creative thinking to develop effective solutions for cold chain and distribution challenges. You will collaborate closely with experienced supervisors who provide valuable guidance while you lead projects from conception to implementation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of eight years of experience in engineering, logistics, planning, procurement, quality, or related disciplines.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, aligning with our company’s Ways of Working norms.
• Excellent technical writing and project management capabilities.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills with an ability to interrogate the science, identify true requirements, and detect critical flaws.
• Experience and knowledge of the pharmaceutical environment including regulatory requirements.
• Familiarity with application of Lean Six Sigma principles, as well as Risk Management tools.
• Understanding of new product introduction, commercial supply, lifecycle management.
• Proven project leadership and complex problem-solving skills, with good written and verbal communication abilities.
• Proven track record of driving continuous improvement and implementing best practices in technical support.
• Strong strategic and analytical thinking, with a focus on driving continuous improvement.
• Ability to guide key activities including development of standard work, investigations, and problem solving
• Change Management
• Combination Products
• Cross-Functional Teamwork
• Deviation Management
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Leadership
• Manufacturing Scale-Up
• New Product Introduction Process
• Packaging Engineering
• Process Optimization
• Product Packaging Design
• Project Leadership
• Risk Management
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• Technical Leadership
• Technical Projects

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience in packaging design and thermal protection systems, particularly in qualification of shipping systems (temperature control and protection from shock, vibration, and compression).

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and qualification of tertiary packaging components and processes, including environmental monitors for various human health products.
• Analyze complex problems using critical thinking and laboratory experiments to create effective shipping solutions to maintain temperature control and physical protection.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate processes and shipping systems, resolving excursion issues, and implementing corrective actions.
• Provide expert guidance and mentorship to engineers and other functions at our company
• Develop regional strategies for temperature-controlled product movement in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Create detailed specifications for packaging components and maintain comprehensive documentation, including testing protocols and reports.
• Develop sound scientific justifications for planned material and process changes related to secondary and tertiary packaging.
• Develop working relationships with global company functions, external manufacturing and third-party distribution centers, with whom our company interfaces.
• Document preparation, maintenance, and review of documentation including testing protocols, testing reports, technical memos and supplier assessments

Benefits

• The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include 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. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees