Sr. Specialist, Operational Excellence

Job Description We are seeking a Senior Specialist, Operational Excellence to serve as our Company's Production System Lead at our Elkhorn, NE facility. In this role, you will act as a Lean Practitioner, Coach, and Project Manager, driving operational excellence and continuous improvement across the site. You will lead the development and execution of the site's improvement strategy, serving as the primary point of contact for Production System initiatives. As a Lean Practitioner and Coach, you will identify, analyze, and implement improvements while mentoring colleagues at all levels to embed lean principles into daily operations. As a Project Manager, you will lead strategic projects focused on improving supply reliability, increasing productivity, and reducing costs. This is an ideal role for a pioneer of transformational change. This role is part of a larger network of similar positions, and offers the opportunity to work with regional and global resources to identify best practices and benchmarking for production system implementation. Key Responsibilities Lean Practitioner / Coach Initiate and implement improvement projects using Lean tools (e.g., Standardization, 5S, Poka-Yoke, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, Visual Management, SMED, Capacity Analysis/Debottlenecking). Provide hands-on support for operational problem-solving and cross-functional investigations using scientific problem-solving techniques. Coach lean roadmaps and deliver training on foundational competencies (tier management, problem solving, leader standardized work, standardized work, and Hoshin Kanri). Act as a role model for continuous improvement, inclusion, and change management while developing colleagues at all organizational levels. Serve as point of contact to plant manager and regional team for production system implementation. Lean Project Manager Facilitate value scouting workshops and Kaizen events. Lead larger cost-savings and productivity improvement projects to achieve business objectives. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Business, Biology, Engineering, or related field. Minimum 5 years of experience in a continuous improvement environment within biopharmaceuticals, manufacturing, or quality. Military service, coursework, and degrees may be considered as alternatives. Proven experience in project facilitation and project management. Strong analytical skills with experience in data analysis and trend visualization. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Project, Minitab). Ability to coach and influence at all levels, with demonstrated change management skills. Hands-on experience deploying lean tools and concepts in multiple environments. Familiarity with strategy deployment (Hoshin Kanri, Policy Deployment) and A3 Thinking. Preferred Qualifications Project Management Certification. Formal Lean training or advancement in our Company's Competency System. Lean Practitioner Certification Six Sigma Greenbelt/Blackbelt Certification Ability to lead transformational change

Required Skills:

Buenas prácticas de fabricación (BPF), Elaboración de hojas de ruta, Excelencia Operacional, Gestión de proyectos, Implementación de sitio, Kaizen (mejora continua), Mejora continua, Mejoras de procesos, Monitoreo continuo, Motor de cambio,

Principios Lean Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE Current Contingent Workers apply HERE Solo para residentes en EE. UU. y

Puerto Rico:

Nuestra empresa está comprometida con la inclusión, velando para que las personas puedan participar en un proceso de contratación que muestre sus verdaderas capacidades. Haga clic aquí si necesita adaptaciones durante el proceso de solicitud o contratación. Somos un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades, comprometido con fomentar un lugar de trabajo inclusivo y diverso. Todos los solicitantes calificados recibirán consideración para el empleo sin distinción de raza, color, edad, religión, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad de género, origen nacional, estado de veterano protegido, o estado de discapacidad, u otras características protegidas legalmente aplicables. Para obtener más información sobre los derechos personales bajo las leyes de empleo de igualdad de oportunidades de los EE. UU., visite: EEOC Conozca sus derechos EEOC Suplemento GINA Transparencia de pago No discriminación Orgullosos de ser una empresa que adopta el valor de reunir a personas diversas, talentosas y comprometidas. La forma más rápida de lograr una innovación revolucionaria es cuando las ideas diversas se unen en un entorno inclusivo. Alentamos a nuestros colegas a desafiar respetuosamente el pensamiento de los demás y abordar los problemas de manera colectiva. Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts The salary range for this role is $106,200.00 - $167,200.00 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:

Contrato indefinido

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No Travel Requirements:

25%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable Shift:

1st -

Day Valid Driving License:

Yes Hazardous Material(s):

N/a Job Posting End Date:

05/29/2026 •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. Nuestra compañía es líder mundial de atención de la salud con una cartera diversificada de medicamentos con receta, vacunas y productos de salud animal. La diferencia entre potencial y logro radica en la chispa que alimenta la innovación y la creatividad; este es el espacio donde hemos codificado nuestro legado durante más de un siglo. Nuestro éxito está respaldado por la integridad ética, el impulso hacia adelante y una misión inspiradora para lograr nuevos hitos en la atención sanitaria global.