Merck & Co, Inc

Director, Pharmaceutical Commercialization Technology

Merck & Co, Inc$173K — $272K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a scientific field with 12+ years' experience, or Master's with 10+ years, or Ph.D. with 8+ years.
  • Deep technical expertise in pharmaceutical processes and product development.
  • Strong understanding of oral drug product formulation and technology transfer.
  • Proven experience in drug product commercialization and regulatory submissions.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
  • Effective in delegating tasks and driving improvement priorities.
  • Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional teams and organizational change.

Responsibilities

  • Drive development of product portfolio and control strategies for robust supply.
  • Ensure executional excellence across the department's portfolio.
  • Translate priorities into actionable steps and hold teams accountable.
  • Identify and improve gaps in processes to foster continuous improvement.
  • Build critical partner relationships for the success of cross-functional teams.
  • Sponsor the development of high-performing teams and facilitate technical reviews.
  • Guide programmatic strategy including regulatory support and financial forecasting.

Benefits

  • Employee development toolkit available for various career levels.
  • Opportunity to lead and shape high-performing teams globally.
  • Work within a culture focused on safety, quality, and inclusion.
  • Engagement in impactful change leadership initiatives.
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Pharmaceutical Commercialization Technology (PCT) organization, within our Manufacturing Division, develops robust processes and technologies for small-molecule, solid-dosage drugs. From early formulation partnerships through to commercial launch and stable global supply, we bridge the gap between discovery and patients worldwide. Our operations are anchored by development centers in Rahway, NJ and West Point, PA, alongside a global manufacturing network spanning Ireland, Singapore, and external contract organizations.

As the Director of Pharmaceutical Commercialization Technology, you will lead a high-performing department of 10 to 20 engineers and scientists-ranging from entry-level researchers to senior scientific leaders and people managers.

In this role, you will shape and execute program strategies for our development pipeline while fostering a culture anchored in Safety First, Quality Always, and Inclusion for All. You will champion talent development, drive operational excellence, and build highly collaborative partnerships across our global technical, quality, and manufacturing networks to bring life-saving medicines to market.

Responsibilities
  • Drive development of product portfolio including overall plan for control strategy development, experimental designs across scales, execution of experimental plans, and data analysis with the goal of creating robust control strategies that will lead to reliable supply.
  • Drive results and executional excellence within the department's portfolio, impacting multiple layers of the organization and other lines within PCT.
  • Drive operational excellence by clarifying and translating priorities into actionable steps and holding teams accountable to deliver against priorities.
  • Recognize gaps in systems and drive improvement in process and department function, sponsoring and driving a culture of continuous improvement throughout the organization.
  • Develop critical partner relationships and create sponsorship frameworks with peers to ensure the success of highly cross-functional teams.
  • Actively sponsor the creation of high-performing teams with peers and ensure necessary technical reviews are occurring proactively with the right cross-section of peer partner groups.
  • Utilize a sophisticated employee development toolkit across many levels within the organization, including people managers, senior scientific staff, and new hires.
  • Help teams drive programmatic strategy including regulatory, siting, and tech transfer, and assist in creating financial forecasts.
  • Lead change throughout the organization with a well-developed change leadership toolkit.
  • Oversee the department's core functions including PCT Source (clinical supply stewardship), the APEX (Applied Pharmaceutical Engineering & eXperimentation) supply-support facility, safety teams, digital strategy, compliance, modeling, risk assessment platforms, diversity and inclusion, due diligence, and capital projects.


Qualifications

Required
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or related scientific field with a minimum of twelve (12) years of required experience; OR Master of Science (M.S.) with a minimum of ten (10) years; OR Ph.D. degree with a minimum of eight (8) years.
  • Possesses deep technical and subject matter expertise with the function.
  • Knowledge of oral drug product formulation and process development, proven track record in small molecule commercial process development, scale-up, and technology transfer to supply.
  • Applies a deep understanding of new product development and commercialization.
  • Experienced in the end-to-end development of drug products from commercialization through to supply.
  • Experience with authoring regulatory submissions and responding to regulatory questions.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.
  • Effective delegation skills and demonstrated ability to drive improvement priorities in addition to driving the portfolio.
  • Demonstrated ability in leading and sponsoring cross-functional teams.
  • Strength in delivering results on firm deadlines.
  • Experience with leading organizational change.

Preferred
  • Experience in supporting supply investigations.
  • Proficient in situational effectiveness and can structure communications to technical teams and executive level.


Location: Rahway, NJ preferred. Candidate will have reports based in Rahway and West Point, PA, so travel to West Point will be required.

Required Skills:
Adaptability, Change Agility, Consulting, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Key Client Relationships, Manufacturing Scale-Up, People Leadership, Pharmaceutical Process Development, Process Characterization, Regulatory Experience, Research and Development Operations (Inactive), Results-Oriented, Teamwork, Technical Transfer, Writing Technical Documents

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
Domestic

VISA Sponsorship:
Yes

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
1st - Day

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
n/a

Job Posting End Date:
10/3/2026
*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.

Merck & Co, Inc Careers

Join the visionary team at Merck & Co, Inc, a global leader in healthcare dedicated to advancing the world of medicine. As part of our professional community, you'll find dynamic job opportunities that foster innovation and leadership across various fields. Merck & Co, Inc is not just a company; it's a place where you can make a difference.

Work You’ll Do

At Merck & Co, Inc, we are committed to improving global health through groundbreaking research and innovative healthcare solutions. Our team is at the forefront of developing new therapies and vaccines that significantly impact public health worldwide. By joining us, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, using your skills to contribute to projects that save and improve lives around the globe.

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Whether you're seeking an internship, a graduate opportunity, or a professional position, Merck & Co, Inc offers a range of career paths in environments that promote rapid professional growth and development. Explore job opportunities in research, digital transformation, manufacturing, and more, all while benefiting from a culture that supports diversity and inclusion.

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Merck & Co, Inc is an ideal environment for those who lead with curiosity and the drive to innovate. Our leadership is committed to fostering a culture where inventive thinking and collaboration are encouraged, making it a perfect place for professionals who seek to make an impact through their work.

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With Merck & Co, Inc, you are not just getting a job; you're gaining access to unparalleled career development opportunities. Enhance your skills through diverse training programs, workshops, and continuous learning courses designed to help you grow at every stage of your career.

Benefits and Culture

We understand that our employees are our greatest asset, which is why we offer competitive benefits designed to support the health and well-being of you and your family. From comprehensive health care coverage and retirement plans to flexible working conditions and wellness programs, our benefits package is designed to meet the diverse needs of our team members.

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Ready to advance your career at Merck & Co, Inc? Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for passionate, creative, and solution-driven team players. Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and become part of a company that's dedicated to making a difference.

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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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