Director, Operations - Bottles & Blisters (IPT)

MSD • Wilson, NC

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company. We're at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. Join our team and contribute to our mission of using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. The Director, Operations, serves as the business unit leader for the Bottles & Blisters Integrated Process Team (IPT), overseeing primary and secondary packaging operations that support a wide range of company products. This role is accountable for the overall performance of the IPT and acts as the key representative for the business area in our Company’s Manufacturing Division Wilson Site Leadership Team. The role is responsible for setting both strategic direction and day‑to‑day operational priorities to ensure packaging operations consistently meet business objectives, supply requirements, and budget targets while maintaining the highest standards of Quality, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), and regulatory compliance. The Director is expected to champion continuous improvement through lean principles, drive operational efficiency, and support capital and process enhancement initiatives. A successful individual in this role fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, and inclusion, while ensuring the IPT is positioned to reliably support both current operations and future business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering related field
• Minimum eight (8) years of required industry experience across multiple functions (Operations, Quality, Technical, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, etc.)
• Minimum five (5) years Operations experience with responsibility managing multi-layered organizations
• Strong leadership and influencing skills
• Working knowledge of cGMP and regulatory requirements in the pharmaceutical industry
• Strong communication skills
• Willingness to work irregular hours to support multi-shift operations as needed
• Adaptability
• Budgeting
• Business Agility
• Data Analysis
• Decision Making
• Lean Manufacturing
• Manufacturing Quality Control
• Packaging Engineering
• People Leadership
• Process Optimization
• Production Scheduling
• Project Management
• Regulatory Compliance
• Results-Oriented
• Root Cause Problem Solving
• Sterile Manufacturing
• Strategic Planning
• Talent Development
• Vaccine Manufacturing

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree in Science or Engineering related field (Six (6) years of required industry experience across multiple functions listed
• Experience leading a complex manufacturing or packaging operation within a plant site
• Experience licensing a new facility or start-up/scale-up of new capital installations for commercial supply
• Experience in continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, problem solving, and/or right first-time methodologies
• Familiarity with change execution management and behavioral coaching/consequence management tools
• Strong written and verbal communication, including presentation skills and technical writing experience
• Project management skills
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections (FDA, EMA, etc.)

Responsibilities

• Provide tactical and strategic direction to the Bottles & Blisters integrated process team (IPT) for primary and secondary packaging.
• Ensure business objectives are met, maintaining high standards for Quality and EHS compliance.
• Promote continuous improvement within the IPT, aligned with lean principles.
• Ensure operations comply with Safety, Environmental, cGMP, and Labor regulations.
• Maintain a safe workplace and manage actions to prevent safety incidents.
• Investigate, determine root cause, and implement robust CAPAs for compliance discrepancies.
• Direct production, packaging, and support personnel to meet customer supply requirements.
• Resolve and escalate issues impacting supply within IPT and site management processes.
• Develop and manage the IPT budget, ensuring activities align with budget forecasts.
• Identify and execute capital projects to support IPT strategies.
• Recognize and implement opportunities for efficiency and financial savings.
• Define and staff positions necessary for multi-shift operations.
• Provide leadership, coaching, development, and performance management to the cross-functional team.
• Maintain a culture of inclusion and positive employee relations.
• Build effective relationships with other functional areas and stakeholders.
• Develop and execute strategies and tactical plans for the IPT.
• Embed a culture of continuous improvement and MPS into the Operations team.
• Identify and implement opportunities for process optimization and efficiency.
• Provide site support and leadership to high priority network strategies and initiatives.

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