Job Description
The Elkhorn Bioprocess Technology Solutions (BTS) Team is actively seeking a dynamic and experienced Associate Director of Engineering to spearhead our technical operations manufacturing team focused on vaccine production and process development initiatives at our state-of-the-art Elkhorn, NE Animal Health manufacturing site. This leadership role demands not only extensive technical expertise in bioengineering, vaccine development, and large molecule production but also a deep commitment to team management, coaching, and professional growth.
As the Associate Director, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring our manufacturing processes are robust and compliant within a regulated environment. Your leadership will guide the team through production investigations, process improvements, and operational alignment with various departments to achieve our organizational goals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Leadership & Team Development: Provide direction and mentorship to the technical operations team, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. Guide team members in production investigations and daily technical activities, ensuring robust vaccine manufacturing practices.
- Operational Excellence: Drive timely solutions to challenges within the production environment, implementing effective process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and product quality.
- Technical Expertise: Leverage your in-depth understanding of large molecule and vaccine production to demonstrate and advance process development capabilities within the BTS development lab.
- Cross-Department Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with Quality, Environmental Health and Safety, Technical Support, Planning, and Maintenance teams to ensure alignment of goals and operational integrity.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Bioengineering, Biological Sciences, or a related field, accompanied by a minimum of 5 years of laboratory or related vaccine production experience in an FDA or USDA-regulated setting.
- Proven track record of strong problem-solving abilities, with the capability to analyze issues from multiple perspectives (safety, compliance, automation, equipment, process, and people) to identify and address root causes effectively.
Preferred Experience and Skills:
- Previous experience in an FDA or USDA-regulated manufacturing environment.
- Proficiency in Lean and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Strong statistical analysis skills, particularly using Minitab.
- Experience in job safety protocols and practices.
- Advanced degree in a related field (Master’s or PhD) is highly desirable.
#EBRG
NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS
In accordance with Managers’ Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in current position prior to applying for open positions.
If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.
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.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:
EEOC Know Your Rights
EEOC GINA Supplement
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination
We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas 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”.
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:
10%
Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable
Shift:
Not Indicated
Valid Driving License:
No
Hazardous Material(s):
Yes
Job Posting End Date:
12/16/2024
*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.
