Director Product Compliance

MSD

8d•$173,200 - $272,600•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director Product Compliance leads the global Product and Environmental Compliance function across the company’s Technology Solutions portfolio, including electronic and non-electronic products and products containing software. The role defines and deploys global compliance and sustainability strategy and establishes an end-to-end, risk-based compliance framework spanning the product lifecycle—from concept and design through sourcing, manufacturing, market release, post-market surveillance, and end of life. Scope includes legacy products, new product development, engineering change management, and extensions into new geographies or applications. Operating in a global matrix organization, the Director partners with product teams and functions including R&D, Quality, Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Policy & Communications, EHS, Sustainability, Manufacturing, and Global Supply Management. The role leads an international network, provides senior guidance on regulatory risk and market access, and advances compliance culture and organizational maturity. It covers software developed internally, through partners, and through third-party or open-source components, across software design, development, deployment, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning. The position is based primarily in Rahway, New Jersey, with a hybrid work arrangement and 25% travel. The stated base salary range for the primary location is $173,200–$272,600. The successful candidate is eligible for an annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable. Employee status is regular; relocation is not offered and visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Software), Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
10+ years of senior experience leading global Product Compliance, Environmental Compliance, or Regulatory Affairs within a global organization developing and manufacturing multidisciplinary products involving mechanics, electronics, and software.
Strong background managing regulatory compliance and product certification or standards for complex, technology-driven products in multiple jurisdictions.
Experience working with external compliance and regulatory interfaces, such as regulators, certification laboratories, notified bodies, and industry organizations.
Ability to lead cross-functional, matrix organizations without direct authority.
Experience building governance models, compliance policies and procedures, and product compliance data frameworks from the ground up.
Risk-based mindset and ability to balance regulatory rigor with business needs.
Excellent executive-level communication and stakeholder-management skills.
Fluency in English and experience working in a global, multicultural environment.
Required skills include compliance policies, conformance testing, control monitoring, government regulation, information security, knowledge of regulations and frameworks, legal compliance, product compliance, regulatory management, regulatory risk, standards compliance, strategic leadership, and vendor management.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (M.S.) in Regulatory Affairs, Engineering Management, or Business Administration (MBA).
Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) or Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP).

Responsibilities

Define and lead a global Product Compliance strategy aligned with business objectives, product portfolio, and risk profile.
Establish compliance governance, including scope, decision rights, escalation paths, and accountability across relevant functions.
Move the organization from reactive compliance toward a proactive, risk-based model; advise leadership on regulatory risk, market access, and implementation strategy.
Lead and coordinate an international network of Compliance and Sustainability functions, influencing local and global teams without direct line authority.
Build and strengthen product compliance culture and organizational maturity in compliance and sustainability.
Oversee regulatory monitoring, assess regulatory and standards changes, conduct impact assessments, and define multi-year implementation roadmaps.
Lead product certification and conformity assessment requirements and ensure compliance with international regulations, standards, and market-access rules.
Define and embed compliance processes in product development and design, material and component selection, supplier onboarding and qualification, Production Readiness Reviews, and post-launch monitoring.
Ensure compliance data management, traceability, and documentation for audits, regulatory inquiries, and customer requests; own compliance KPIs, coverage metrics, and reporting.
Lead supplier engagement and compliance-data collection across a global, multi-tier supply chain; define supplier contract requirements and improve supplier data response, quality, and transparency.
Develop and deploy global training for relevant functions, and draft and maintain compliance policies, SOPs, work instructions, and templates.
Serve as a Center of Excellence for compliance cases and queries.
Define and lead the Software Compliance Framework and ensure compliance throughout the software lifecycle.
Act as the primary compliance interface for software-related audits, customer inquiries, and regulatory inspections.
Partner with global organizational and corporate functions, including Manufacturing, Global Supply Management, EHS, Policy & Communications, and Legal.
Support M&A, due diligence, and business development activities from a product compliance perspective.
Interface with regulators, notified bodies, certification laboratories, and industry organizations as required.