Manager, Manufacturing Automation

MSD•Wilmington, DE

1d•$117,000 - $184,200

About The Position

The Manufacturing Automation Manager of Lab Digital Support Operations is responsible for leading a team of FTEs and contractors, delivering high-quality IT support for lab operations. This role oversees team development, performance management, and strategic goal setting, ensuring alignment with both site and corporate objectives. The ideal candidate will combine technical expertise with strong leadership and communication skills, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, diversity, and inclusion within the Lab IT team. This role provides a unique opportunity to shape the digital transformation of lab operations at our company, driving innovation and operational excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, information technology, or a related field.
Minimum of 5+ years of experience in digital systems within a manufacturing environment
Experience supporting digital laboratory systems and applications in a GMP regulated environment (R&D, QC, Analytical, or Development labs).
Strong understanding of laboratory informatics ecosystems, including Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), Chromatography Data Systems (CDS), and instrument integration platforms (e.g., Empower, LabWare, LabX, or equivalent), supporting data integrity, compliance, and laboratory operations
Working knowledge of laboratory analytical instrumentation and COTS platforms, with experience in HPLC, UV, FTIR, spectrophotometers, titrators, balances, and the supporting vendor software ecosystems
Experience with integrating lab instruments and applications with enterprise systems (e.g., LIMS, ELN, data historians, SDC, Scitara, Biovia , MES or reporting platforms).
In‑depth understanding of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) for regulated systems, including requirements, design/configuration, testing, validation, release/change control, and maintenance.
Working knowledge of IT/OT standards, cybersecurity, and infrastructure considerations for lab environments (PC‑based and non‑PC instruments).
Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively.
Audit Management
Budgeting
Business Process Improvements
Cybersecurity
Data Management
Driving Continuous Improvement
GMP Compliance
Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
Manufacturing Environments
Operational Excellence
Problem Management
Quality Management
Real-Time Programming
Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
Stakeholder Engagement
Strategic Planning
Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
Vendor Management

Nice To Haves

Preferred Skills: Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of FTEs and contractors, fostering a culture prioritizing diversity, inclusion, safety, quality, and compliance.
Build strong collaborative relationships between Lab IT and other departments including QC and Manufacturing.
Provide clear direction, establish high standards, and assess team performance to deliver top-tier Lab IT support.
Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to team members.
Establish goals and KPIs for the Lab IT team, ensuring alignment with QC, manufacturing, site and corporate objectives.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the Lab IT landscape to achieve year-on-year productivity gains.
Identify opportunities for process improvements and lead initiatives to enhance operational efficiency.
Monitor key metrics and ensure timely closure of safety, quality, and compliance actions, including QNs, CAPAs, and Change Controls.
Ensure audit readiness for lab IT systems, particularly in areas related to quality metrics.
Develop and manage budgets, maintaining operational efficiency.
Collaborate with the business to ensure all lab equipment purchases align with IT standards and integrate seamlessly with our infrastructure.
Maintain Lab IT systems’ reliability, enhancing efficiency through technology.
Oversee Lab system validation and ensure all changes, including security patches, are properly assessed for software compatibility.
Stay current with Lab IT trends and technologies, recommending new solutions and improvements.
Coordinate with regional and global teams to standardize processes and procedures across lab IT systems.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot and resolve automation-related issues promptly.
Manage vendor relationships, ensuring their services meet quality and contractual obligations.
Lead stakeholder engagement to manage IT change initiatives effectively and communicate priorities clearly.
Strategically influence cross-functional teams and senior leadership to advance Lab IT goals.