Associate Director, Operations Position Available In Durham, North Carolina

Job Description Our Manufacturing Operations teams are the people that make our products. We work in the manufacturing plants with a “Safety First, Quality Always” mindset striving for continuous improvement. We work in the local plant connected to our global manufacturing network to ensure the highest quality of raw materials, intermediates and finished products. Position Overview We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Operations Team Lead to oversee a dynamic team of 43 operations employees within our Vaccine Manufacturing Facility (VMF). This leadership role will involve direct supervision of four managers and three individual contributors, ensuring the efficient and compliant execution of critical operations including Weigh & Dispense, Equipment Preparation, Sterile Supply, Kanban, Facilities, Stabilizer Preparation, and Media Manufacturing. The team operates 24/7, and the ideal candidate will be committed to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities Team Leadership:

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of operations professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Operational Oversight:

Ensure the smooth operation of Weigh & Dispense, Equipment Preparation, Sterile supply, Stabilizer Preparation, and Media Manufacturing processes, adhering to all regulatory and compliance requirements.

Performance Management:

Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to achieve annual objectives, including: Zero (0) Recordable Injury Incident Rate (RIIR) and Zero (0) Lost Time Injury Rate (LTIR) Zero (0) Repeat and Critical Audit Observations for Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and Quality Compliance Internal On-Time In-Full delivery ≥ 95% Total Payroll and Benefits + Corporate Services ≤ Budget Travel and Meetings ≤ Budget Total Supplies / Total Transfers to Inventory ≤ Budget Total Transfers to Inventory ≥ Budget Manufacturing Variances / Total Transfers to Inventory ≤ Budget Total Scrap, Obsolete & Excess Inventory ≤

Budget Budget Management:

Collaborate with finance and management to ensure operational costs are managed within budgetary constraints, identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.

Compliance and Safety:

Uphold the highest standards of safety and compliance, ensuring all team members are trained and adhere to EHS and quality protocols.

Continuous Improvement:

Drive initiatives aimed at process optimization, waste reduction, and operational efficiency, utilizing Lean and Six Sigma methodologies where applicable.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Work closely with other departments, including Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, and Engineering, to ensure alignment and support for operational goals. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Engineering, Life Sciences, Operations Management) or equivalent experience. Minimum of 5 years of experience in operations management within a manufacturing environment, preferably in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. Proven leadership experience managing teams, with a track record of achieving operational excellence and compliance. Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, quality systems, and regulatory requirements in a GMP environment. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels. Proficiency in budget management and financial analysis. Work Environment This position requires flexibility to manage a 24/7 operational environment, including potential on-call responsibilities and occasional travel for meetings and training. Application Process Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and qualifications. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified individuals. Current Employees apply HERE Current Contingent Workers apply

HERE US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit: EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA

Supplement We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts U.S. Hybrid Work Model Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday – Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.

This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”. The salary range for this role is $126,500.00 – $199,100.00 This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs. 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. You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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 in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular Relocation:

Domestic VISA Sponsorship:

No Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable Shift:

Not Indicated Valid Driving License:

No Hazardous Material(s): n/a

Required Skills:

Aseptic Operations, Business, Communication, Decision Making, GMP Compliance, Interpersonal Relationships, Key Performance Indicators (KPI),

Lean Manufacturing, Lean Six Sigma Process Improvement, Management Process, Manufacturing Operations, Operational Excellence, Operations Management, Organizational Performance Management, People Leadership, Process Improvements, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Thinking, Team Leadership, Technical Problem-Solving Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

06/27/2025 •A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date. Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century. Our success is backed by ethical integrity, forward momentum, and an inspiring mission to achieve new milestones in global healthcare.