AVP, Engineering

Merck•Upper Gwynedd Township, PA

1d•$282,200 - $444,200•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Vice President (AVP), Drug Product Technical Operations (DP Tech Ops) provides enterprise technical leadership for drug product manufacturing across the company's commercial manufacturing network, including oversight of external manufacturing partners, technical operations leadership for the Singapore manufacturing facility, and strategic stewardship of in-line product manufacturing across the global network. Reporting to the Vice President, Small Molecule Science & Technology (SM S&T) within the our company's Manufacturing Division, this leader is accountable for ensuring robust, reliable, compliant supply, and continuously improving drug product operations that enable uninterrupted patient supply and support the long-term success of the portfolio. The role requires deep technical operations expertise combined with strategic leadership, enterprise influence, and a demonstrated ability to build organizational capability. As the senior drug product technical leader, the AVP provides technical stewardship across the manufacturing network, addressing complex technical, operational, quality, and supply challenges while advancing technical excellence, operational performance, and transformational change. Success in this role is defined by the ability to build and sustain a high-performing technical operations organization that consistently delivers reliable supply, proactively identifies and mitigates risk, develops future leaders, and strengthens the long-term competitiveness of the manufacturing network through innovation, operational excellence, and enterprise leadership. The AVP partners closely with senior leaders across Science & Technology, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain and Engineering to drive strategic priorities, strengthen network performance, and deliver business outcomes across the enterprise.

Requirements

Ph.D., M.S. or B.S. in Chemistry, Engineering or Analytical Sciences with a minimum of 15 years of experience
Significant leadership experience spanning pharmaceutical technical operations, manufacturing science, CMC development, commercialization, and lifecycle management.
Proven success leading global technical organizations, complex manufacturing networks, and strategic external partnerships in highly regulated environments.
Demonstrated ability to influence enterprise strategy and drive alignment across Science and Technology, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and commercial manufacturing organizations.
Deep expertise in GMP manufacturing, quality systems, regulatory compliance, inspection readiness, and lifecycle product stewardship.
Strong track record of leading organizational transformation, improving operational performance, and advancing technical excellence through innovative and data-driven approaches.
Proven ability to build, develop, and retain high-performing teams, including experience in organizational design, succession planning, leadership development, and capability building.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture characterized by accountability, psychological safety, continuous learning, and innovation.
Experience leading large, cross-functional organizations and complex strategic initiatives requiring significant stakeholder influence and change leadership.
Exceptional communication, executive presence, sound judgment, and strategic decision-making capabilities.

Nice To Haves

Analytical Thinking
Analytical Thinking
Building Capability
Business Decisions
Business Performance Management
Business Process Improvements
Business Requirements Analysis
Chemical Engineering Fundamentals
Chemical Plant Operations
Competency Management
Cross-Cultural Awareness
Customer-Focused
Engineering Leadership
Ethical Compliance
Executive Leadership
Executive Presence
Financial Acumen
Innovation
Manufacturing Scale-Up
Mentoring Staff
Operational Quality
Organizational Leadership
People Leadership
People Management
Performance Improvements

Responsibilities

Provide enterprise leadership for drug product manufacturing performance across internal sites, external manufacturing partners, and global commercial product networks, ensuring reliable supply, regulatory compliance, and effective lifecycle stewardship.
Serve as the senior technical authority for complex product, process, manufacturing, and supply challenges, driving science-based decisions and sustainable solutions.
Provide strategic oversight of external drug product CMOs and technical operations leadership for Singapore manufacturing facilities, ensuring strong technical stewardship, operational excellence, and inspection readiness.
Advance network performance through proactive risk management, lifecycle monitoring, investigation excellence, CAPA effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
Champion digital, analytics, and advanced process monitoring capabilities to strengthen technical decision-making, process understanding, and operational effectiveness.
Lead transformational initiatives that enhance manufacturing reliability, organizational agility, and the long-term competitiveness of the drug product manufacturing network.
Build and lead a high-performing organization recognized for technical excellence, scientific rigor, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Develop leadership bench strength through coaching, talent development, succession planning, and deliberate capability-building strategies.
Foster an inclusive, high-performing culture that promotes innovation, engagement, and operational excellence.