Director, Technical Operations Planning (Onsite)

Director, Technical Operations Planning

The Global Clinical Supply (GCS) organization within our company's Research Laboratories manages the end-to-end clinical supply chain for the company's portfolio (300+ Phase I-IV Clinical Trials, 200+ Investigator Initiated Studies and 200+ External Collaborations). GCS is accountable for the planning, sourcing, labeling, packaging and delivery of clinical supplies to clinical sites across more than 60+ countries, in compliance with worldwide regulations, company policies and standard operating procedures.

The Director, Technical Operations Planning is a strategic team leader and technical expert within the Global Operations Planning Team. The ideal candidate should have a passion for operational excellence and a proven track record in continuous improvement of processes, systems, and talent development across global, culturally diverse teams. The incumbent must demonstrate strong strategic and leadership skills to manage and resolve challenges arising from the diverse and dynamic requirements of our complex clinical supply chain.

The key immediate needs and opportunities for the role include:

• Integrating teams across US and Switzerland, implementing a new operating model and ways of working.
• Leading a team of technical experts responsible for:
• CSO Compliance Operations
• CSO Integration Operations
• Global Site Scheduling
• Process ownership, KPIs, investigations & CAPAs for Operations Planning
• Proactively identifying operational risks and implementing data-driven mitigation strategies to ensure strong operational performance.
• Embedding business process continuous improvement that allows for enhanced efficiency with required responsiveness/flexibility to project-specific needs.
• Seeks opportunities to innovation and efficiency, removing barriers for the team and supporting change initiatives

Primary Activities (including but not limited to):

• Supports strategic plans by defining priorities, establishing key performance indicators, and driving change initiatives and process improvements.
• Continuously optimize assets, processes, and resources across the supply chain to maintain compliance and achieve operational excellence.
• Ensure coordinated scheduling process across sites, influence siting decisions, ensure productivity targets are met and provide direction to address scheduling conflicts.
• Engage with inspectors/auditors to review processes, coordinate responses to observations and lead implementation of CAPA.
• Lead integration of complex BD assets (e.g. new external sites, complex packaging) and provide guidance to team for operational execution.
• Lead complex, cross-functional investigations and provide guidance to team on problem-solving and effective CAPA.
• Lead implementation and change adoption for new systems and tools within Operations Planning to deliver digital strategy.
• Lead operational simplification efforts with external sites to enable speed, flexibility and cost opportunities.
• Inspire and motivate teams by setting high-performance expectations and fostering a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Experience and Skills:

• Degree (BSc, MSc, MBA, PhD) in Life Sciences, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration or related discipline.
• Experience (10+ years) in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical devices with proven success in Project management and team leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams, manage complex projects, and deliver innovative solutions.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
• Adaptable and resilient, with a track record of performing under pressure and fostering collaboration across global, culturally diverse teams.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver integrated solutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and drive evidence-based decisions.
• Proficiency in English (verbal and written) at a professional working level.

Required Skills:

• Accountability
• Audit Preparations
• Business Process Improvements
• Clinical Supply Chain Management
• Contract Management
• Customer Alignment
• Customer-Focused
• Data Compilation
• Detail-Oriented
• Dispatching
• Driving Continuous Improvement
• Financial Forecasting
• Inventory Control Management
• Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
• Materials Procurement
• Medical Supply Management
• Motivating Teams
• Negotiation
• Operational Excellence
• Operational Risk Assessment
• Outsourcing
• People Leadership
• Problem Solving
• Process Optimization

Preferred Skills:

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.

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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 $153,800.00 - $242,200.00. 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

Employee Status: Regular

Relocation: No

VISA Sponsorship: No

Travel Requirements: 10%

Flexible Work Arrangements: Not Applicable

Shift: 1st - Day

Valid Driving License: No

Hazardous Material(s): n