Merck & Co, Inc

Digital Systems Deployment Lead (Onsite)

Merck & Co, Inc$142K — $224K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Business, or related fields.
  • 8+ years of experience in MES deployment and sustainment, preferably PAS-X or similar platforms.
  • Proven track record in leading MES implementations or significant workstreams in a manufacturing or GMP environment.
  • Experience with large-scale ERP transformations, specifically SAP S/4 HANA.
  • Strong understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing principles and the capability to translate those into digital solutions.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the deployment of SAP S/4 HANA within the FLEx site as part of the global COMET program.
  • Own site readiness across various business areas impacted by deployment.
  • Collaborate with global teams to influence system design and ensure alignment with operational models.
  • Oversee the lifecycle of Electronic Batch Records to ensure compliance and scalability.
  • Drive the integration of MES with SAP and Level 2 systems for efficient data flow.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art digital manufacturing ecosystem.
  • Engagement in a mission-driven organization focused on talent development.
  • Possibility of collaboration and shared best practices across other network sites.
  • Involvement in regulatory inspections and maintaining compliance standards.
Full Job Description
Job Description

The FLEx Center is a new multi-modality (small molecule, biologics, vaccine) Drug Product development and GMP clinical manufacturing plant in Rahway, New Jersey. The FLEx organization has a mission to enable the speed, agility, and rigor of our Company's pipeline products. It will do so through 1). Enabling robust formulation and process development with flexible physical and digital infrastructure; 2). Delivering compliant, high quality clinical supplies; 3). Developing talent with a new operating model and promoting a growth mindset.

The FLEx organization is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as an Associate Director, Digital Systems Deployment Lead. This role is responsible for leading the end-to-end deployment, integration, and sustainment of core digital manufacturing capabilities at the FLEx Center, including the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and SAP S/4 HANA as part of the global COMET program.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the SAP S/4 HANA transformation, ensuring readiness, alignment, and successful deployment across FLEx business processes. In parallel, the successful candidate will also act as a senior subject matter expert and MES technical lead, ensuring MES capabilities (e.g., Electronic Batch Records, Electronic Logs, and Weigh & Dispense) are designed, implemented, and sustained in alignment with FLEx operating model principles across all modalities. By ensuring seamless integration between enterprise systems and FLEx manufacturing operations, this position plays a critical role in enabling a scalable, compliant, and future-state digital manufacturing ecosystem at FLEx.

This position is an onsite role based in New Jersey and reports to the Systems Process Lead Director in the FLEx organization within Pharmaceutical Operations and Clinical Supply.

Primary Responsibilities
  • Lead SAP S/4 HANA Deployment (COMET Program)
    • Serve as the FLEx site lead for SAP S/4 HANA deployment as part of the global COMET program
    • Own site readiness across impacted business areas, including manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and supporting functions
    • Partner with Global COMET teams to influence system design and ensure alignment with FLEx operating model and manufacturing processes
    • Drive business process harmonization and ensure end-to-end process integrity across SAP S/4 HANA and site operations
    • Coordinate site activities related to data readiness, process changes, testing, training, and deployment execution
    • Lead issue resolution and stabilization efforts during and post-deployment to ensure business continuity and operational success
  • Lead MES Strategy & Execution
    • Lead the deployment and expansion of MES capabilities (EBR, E-Logs, Weigh & Dispense) across the FLEx Center
    • Drive design decisions to ensure alignment with site business processes, global standards, and operating models across modalities
  • Own EBR Lifecycle & Standards
    • Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of EBRs (design, build, testing, deployment, sustainment) to ensure compliance, scalability, and business value
    • Establish and enforce standards for EBR design, authoring, and optimization
  • Drive Integration & Technical Architecture
    • Oversee MES integration with SAP (including alignment with S/4 HANA architecture), Level 2 systems, and data flows between systems
    • Partner with IT and automation teams to ensure robust, compliant system architecture
  • Cross-Functional Leadership
    • Serve as the MES SME and primary point of contact for stakeholders across Operations, Process Engineering, Quality, and IT
    • Act as FLEx representative for SAP S/4 HANA (COMET) and MES topics, ensuring site needs are represented in global design and decision-making
    • Drive alignment across Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Process Engineering, and IT for successful adoption of new business processes
  • Sustainment & Continuous Improvement
    • Ensure MES remains in a validated, compliant state while continuously improving system performance and business processes
    • Apply lean principles to optimize EBR lifecycle processes and drive efficiency
  • Program & Vendor Oversight
    • Provide governance of MES and S/4 HANA delivery, including scope, schedule, and benefit realization
    • Manage scope, timeline, risks, and cross-functional dependencies to ensure successful delivery of transformation programs
    • Lead and manage external partners/contractors to ensure adherence to standards and delivery expectations
  • Training, Adoption, & Network Collaboration
    • Drive training strategy and user adoption for both SAP S/4 HANA and MES across site functions
    • Share best practices and harmonize approaches with other sites in the network
  • Compliance & Inspection Readiness
    • Ensure adherence to cGMP, SDLC, and validation requirements
    • Support regulatory inspections and audits as required


Qualifications

Education
  • BS or MS in Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Business, or related field


Required Experience
  • ~8+ years of experience in MES deployment and/or sustainment (preferably PAS-X or similar platforms)
  • Demonstrated experience leading MES implementations or major workstreams
  • Demonstrated experience leading or supporting large-scale ERP transformations (SAP S/4 HANA preferred) in a manufacturing or GMP environment
  • Strong understanding of pharma manufacturing principles/processes and ability to translate manufacturing requirements into a Digital Solutions
  • Strong expertise in EBR authoring, optimization, and lifecycle management
  • Experience integrating MES with SAP and manufacturing systems (Level 2 or equivalent)
  • Experience managing cross-functional business process changes beyond system implementation
  • High personal integrity, credibility, and energy
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills


Preferred
  • Knowledge of SDLC, computer systems validation (CSV), and regulatory expectations
  • Demonstrated ability to influence standards and drive continuous improvement initiatives


#eligibleforERP

#PSCS
FLEx2026

Sterile2026

Required Skills:
Adaptability, Adaptability, Biopharmaceutics, Business Processes, Change Agility, Chemical Engineering, Customer-Focused, Data-Driven Decision Making, Digital Manufacturing, Drug Product Development, Estimation and Planning, GMP Compliance, Manufacturing Processes, Manufacturing Quality Control, Pharmaceutical Process Development, Process Control Automation, Process Engineering, Process Optimization, Product Formulation, Regulatory Inspections, Safety Compliance, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Standards Compliance, Strategic Thinking, Talent Development {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
1st - Day

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
07/7/2026
*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.

About Merck & Co, Inc

Schering-Plough Corporation is a major U.S.-based manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. It operates in three segments: Prescription Pharmaceuticals, Animal Health, and Consumer Health Care. Schering-Plough develops products targeting on allergy, cancer, hepatitis, cardiovascular, central nervous system, respiratory system, and more.  It was founded in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering as Schering AG in Germany. Schering-Plough manufactured several pharmaceutical drugs, the most well-known of which were the allergy drugs Claritin and Clarinex, an anti-cholesterol drug Vytorin, and a brain tumor drug Temodar. It also developed drugs targeting on central nervous system and the respiratory system. Schering Plough also owned and operated the major foot care brand name Dr. Scholl's and the skin care line Coppertone. These also became a part of the new company. Schering-Plough was a full member of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), a membership which is also maintained by the new Merck.

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Learn more about Merck & Co, Inc
Size
68,000 employees
Market Cap
$282.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$7 billion
Founded
1668
5 Year Trend
+4.1%
Revenue
$47.9 billion
NASDAQ

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