Team Leader

The businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany•St. Louis, MO

47d•$26 - $41

About The Position

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us. This role does not offer sponsorship for work authorization. External applicants must be eligible to work in the US. The Distribution Team Lead is responsible for the rhythm of our daily operations, overseeing the full lifecycle of warehouse activities from receiving to shipping. In this role, you will lead by example—empowering your team through consistent coaching, ensuring high-quality performance, and upholding the rigorous safety and GDP/GMP expectations that protect our customers.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
1+ year of experience in warehouse or distribution operations, including shipping, picking, receiving, or inventory
1+ year of hands-on experience with SAP EWM/TM or other Warehouse/Transportation Management System
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced floor environment, including meeting physical requirements (lifting, standing, or walking) and following all PPE protocols

Nice To Haves

1+ year of leadership experience, such as Floor Lead or Team Lead, with a focus on training associates and managing multi-shift operations
Proficiency with warehouse technology, including WMS platforms, RF scanners, and basic spreadsheets
Strong communication skills for managing smooth shift handoffs and coordinating with cross-functional teams
Experience in regulated environments, specifically within pharmaceutical, life science, or medical device distribution
Familiarity with Lean or Continuous Improvement principles, including 5S/6S, standard work, and structured problem-solving

Responsibilities

Lead daily floor execution by setting shift priorities and managing labor to ensure the team consistently hits throughput and accuracy targets
Monitor performance in real time, staying on top of productivity and backlogs while quickly resolving system issues or inventory discrepancies
Direct and develop the team through daily huddles and hands-on coaching to ensure everyone is properly trained, certified, and aligned on goals
Partner with cross-functional teams, including Quality, Planning, and Transportation, to resolve operational bottlenecks and meet customer commitments
Maintain high safety and quality standards by modeling best practices, following SOPs, and keeping the facility organized and compliant
Support continuous improvement by identifying ways to reduce waste, standardizing workflows, and managing incident reporting to prevent future issues