M

Merck

Makes medicines, vaccines and animal treatments

Junior Operations Manager Fill & Finish Production

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/20/2026Deadline 11/9/26
No salary listed
Mid
Bachelor's
De Bilt, Netherlands
In Person
Manufacturing & Production Operations

About the job

Requirements
  • A completed higher professional or university degree in a technical field, such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, mechatronics, or process technology.
  • Experience leading, coaching, and developing employees.
  • Experience in a production environment, preferably in a regulated industry such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food, or chemicals.
  • Strong technical knowledge of automated production installations.
  • Experience analyzing and resolving complex technical disruptions.
  • Affinity with continuous improvement methods such as Lean, Total Productive Maintenance, root cause analysis, or comparable methods.
  • Good communication skills in both Dutch and English.
  • A practical, hands-on approach and visible presence on the shop floor.
  • Strong coaching, collaboration, and change-management skills.
  • Proactive, technically curious, reliable, and resilient, with attention to both people and processes.
  • Willingness to work flexible hours, including at least two shifted days per week from 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Responsibilities
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of approximately 15 to 20 operators.
  • Create a culture centered on ownership, collaboration, and continuous development.
  • Be present on the shop floor daily to guide, support, and motivate employees.
  • Ensure a safe working environment and actively promote Safety First, Quality Always.
  • Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice, quality, safety, and compliance guidelines.
  • Analyze technical disruptions and process deviations and contribute to lasting solutions.
  • Conduct and guide root cause analyses and improvement initiatives.
  • Work with Engineering, Maintenance, Automation, Quality, and external suppliers to further optimize production processes.
  • Initiate and lead improvement projects to increase the reliability, efficiency, and availability of the filling line.
  • Promote an open improvement culture in which deviations can be discussed and employees actively contribute to continuous improvement.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience in a regulated industry such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food, or chemicals.
  • Experience or affinity with continuous improvement methods such as Lean, Total Productive Maintenance, root cause analysis, or comparable methods.

About the company

Merck develops prescription medicines, vaccines and veterinary treatments for patients, health systems and animal owners worldwide. Its vaccine portfolio includes Gardasil 9, which helps prevent cancers and other diseases caused by several types of human papillomavirus. The company takes potential treatments through laboratory research and clinical trials, then manufactures and sells approved products to drug distributors, hospitals, physicians and governments. Its animal health division sells medicines and vaccines to veterinarians, farmers and pet owners, while selected drug partnerships also earn shared profits or royalties. Founded in 1891, Merck is headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Rahway, New Jersey

Founded

1891

Get referred to Merck

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • U.S. employees build retirement benefits: Merck pairs a defined benefit pension with a matching 401(k).
  • Scientists work within a large research network: Merck reports approximately 24,700 employees in R&D.
  • Animal health adds growth: August 2026 results report Q2 sales of $1.8 billion, up 8% year over year.

What critics are saying

  • Job security faces cuts: Merck's active restructuring program eliminates roles and shrinks its global real estate footprint.
  • Keytruda protection narrows: its main U.S. patent expires in 2028, with additional patents expiring in 2029.
  • Revenue is concentrated: August 2026 results show Keytruda products generated $8.4 billion of Merck's $16.6 billion Q2 sales.

What makes Merck unique

  • Merck extends into farm technology: SenseHub continuously monitors livestock for behavioral and physiological changes.
  • Merck publishes open medical knowledge: its Manuals give clinicians and patients free online references.
  • Merck's donation commitment is open-ended: Mectizan supplies for river blindness continue for as long as needed.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Hybrid Work Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-19%

1 year growth

-20%

2 year growth

-20%
Yahoo Finance
Oct 21st, 2026
Keytruda is half of Merck's $16.6B quarterly sales, so what if growth stalls?

Merck's Keytruda cancer drug family generated $8.4 billion in fiscal Q2 2026, about half of the company's $16.6 billion revenue. Excluding currency, Keytruda sales grew 4%, the same pace as total revenue. Management said on the August 4 call that US Keytruda growth will moderate as the drug reaches peak penetration. A Dutch court has also barred Merck from selling subcutaneous Keytruda in eight European markets, Barron's reported. Newer drugs are growing faster. WINREVAIR sales rose 75% to $588 million, and WELIREG sales rose 67%. Free cash flow of $16.1 billion covered dividends of $8.3 billion about twice. Total debt rose to $53.9 billion from $35.4 billion a year earlier. Merck is expected to report results on October 29.

Ash
Oct 20th, 2026
Ash announces $10M Series A funding to uplevel at-home health testing to close healthcare gaps for millions

Ash secures $10M Series A funding led by Merck GHI Fund. We are scaling at home lab test programs to close care gaps and bring patients into the care cycle.

Yahoo Finance
Oct 19th, 2026
Merck and AbbVie shares jump 39% and 24% in 2026 as dividend picks for a decade

Healthcare stocks are rebounding in 2026, led by Merck and AbbVie. Merck shares have climbed 39% and AbbVie's 24%, against about 12% for the S&P 500. Merck's second-quarter revenue rose 5% to $16.6 billion, beating Wall Street estimates. Keytruda sales hit $8.4 billion, though the drug will likely lose patent exclusivity by 2028. A subcutaneous version, Keytruda Qlex, may help retain market share. Merck's forward dividend yield is 2.3%. AbbVie's revenue grew 10.2% to almost $17 billion, with adjusted earnings per share up 22.9% to $3.65. Skyrizi and Rinvoq sales each rose about 24%, and neither faces US competition until 2033 and 2037 respectively. AbbVie has raised its dividend for 54 straight years, including its time as part of Abbott Laboratories.

WebBizMarket
Oct 19th, 2026
Cancer vaccine manufacturing time could shrink.

Cancer vaccine manufacturing time could shrink. Merck's CEO Rob Davis expressed optimism regarding the manufacturing timeline of the company's cancer vaccine developed in collaboration with Moderna. In a recent interview with CNBC, Davis indicated that efforts are being made to shorten the current six-week production period, which could improve patient access to this innovative treatment. The vaccine is personalized, targeting mutations specific to each patient's tumor, which complicates production but is designed to enhance the immune system's ability to combat cancer. Davis emphasized the complexity of the vaccine manufacturing process but conveyed confidence in the collaboration between Merck and Moderna, stating that they have refined the process to ensure timely delivery to patients. Positive preliminary data from a late-stage trial involving melanoma patients has bolstered this optimism, with ongoing investigations into the vaccine's efficacy against other cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer and bladder cancer. In a related development, Merck has inaugurated a new 120,000-square-foot research facility named Advance at its West Point, Pennsylvania campus. This facility incorporates advanced technology aimed at enhancing research and development processes. The launch comes as Merck anticipates the expiration of patents for its flagship drug, Keytruda, which is essential to its revenue model. To mitigate potential revenue loss, the company plans to bolster its pipeline with both internal research and substantial external acquisitions. Merck is also addressing legal challenges regarding the subcutaneous formulation of Keytruda in Europe, where a recent court ruling has affected its market capabilities. Despite these hurdles, the company remains focused on introducing new therapies, including its recently approved cholesterol-lowering medication, Lipfendra. Why this story matters * This vaccine represents a significant advancement in personalized cancer treatment, potentially improving patient outcomes. Key takeaway * Merck and Moderna are committed to refining the manufacturing process of their personalized cancer vaccine, aiming for broader patient access. Opposing viewpoint * Legal challenges regarding Keytruda's subcutaneous formulation could hinder market penetration and affect future revenues.

Spot On Pennsylvania
Oct 16th, 2026
Merck expands near philadelphia as riverside plant winds down.

Merck expands near philadelphia as riverside plant winds down. RIVERSIDE - While Merck is closing its longtime manufacturing operation in Northumberland County, the pharmaceutical company is preparing a major expansion elsewhere in Pennsylvani... Discover more Get Sports Gear Discover more Read Daily News