Merck & Co, Inc

Operations Lead (Shop Floor Supervisor)

Merck & Co, Inc$87K — $137K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline with 2+ years of relevant experience; OR high school diploma with 6+ years of relevant experience.
  • Mechanical aptitude with a solid understanding of chemical process development and equipment.
  • Experience supervising teams in an operations environment, particularly in a manufacturing or pilot plant setting.
  • Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and Safety & Environmental regulations.
  • Effective communication and a collaborative mindset; capable of conflict resolution and root cause analysis.

Responsibilities

  • Supervise daily production activities, ensuring compliance with safety and GMP quality standards.
  • Contribute to equipment and facility design, commissioning, and qualification as the facility nears operational readiness.
  • Collaborate with operations staff to prioritize and assign daily activities to meet production goals.
  • Implement process improvements to enhance safety, environmental compliance, and GMP adherence.
  • Work cooperatively with MACS leadership and cross-functional partners to drive facility performance.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to gain pilot plant operations experience in a state-of-the-art facility.
  • Involvement in a multi-modality drug substance development and GMP manufacturing environment.
  • Experience with new facility construction and operational transition.
  • Collaboration with a diverse and skilled operations team.
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Modality Agnostic Chemistry Scaleup (MACS) group within the Chemical Engineering Research & Development (CERD) Department is seeking a highly motivated individual to work in a fast-paced job that provides pilot plant operations experience and a strong understanding of engineering fundamentals. The Process Supervisor position will report to the Associate Director, MACS Operations and will be a member of the MACS Operations Team at the Rahway, NJ facility. Responsibilities of the Specialist -Process Supervisor include the following:

The process supervisor role at the Specialist level will serve as an operations team member supporting the Modality Agnostic Chemistry Scaleup (MACS) Center. This is a new potent, multi-modality (small molecule, macrocyclic peptides, bioconjugates) Drug Substance development and GMP clinical manufacturing plant currently under construction in Rahway, New Jersey. The Specialist will serve as a team member from testing and startup through to when the MACS facility is fully operational. They will also potentially support other new and/or existing facilities across the Small Molecule Process Research & Development (SM PR&D) network. (see "Additional Supported Areas")

As the facility is currently under construction, the selected candidate will contribute to equipment and facility design, system commissioning/qualification, as well as other critical activity workstreams to enable facility startup. The selected candidate is expected to be a key part of an operations team and foster a culture of collaboration, learning and innovation.

The incumbent will supervise and participate in daily production activities while ensuring compliance with Safety, GMP Quality, and Environmental requirements to meet MACS objectives and customer requirements. This role will also be responsible for the prioritization and assignment of daily activities for the operations staff. The position is responsible for implementing process improvement actions to meet S&E (Safety & Environmental) and GMP requirements. This position is also responsible for ensuring facility readiness for API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) processing and shares accountability for the facility's performance. Ultimately, this position is expected to work cooperatively with the MACS leadership team and cross-functional MACS partners to drive overall success and performance of the building.

Additional Supported Areas:

As required and in addition to support of current capital projects the Senior Specialist may provide direct support to other areas such as:

Small Scale Organics Pilot Plant (SSO): The SSO is a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing facility in the Process Research and Development (PR&D) organization. The pilot plant's mission is to serve as PR&D's internal node for small molecule drug substance clinical manufacture, and as preferred site for first pilot of commercial small molecule processes, enabling gain of critical internal experience with scale-up of manufacturing GMP steps, demonstration of new manufacturing technology/processes, training opportunities for improved manufacturing process development and seamless tech transfer to commercial sites.

Prep Lab Area: The Prep Lab is used to generate data which contributes to process definition and provides Phase I/IIa clinical material when needed. This kilo scale capability establishes reaction parameters and ensures successful batches when transferring to pilot scale. Areas of the Prep Lab have been and are continuing to be upgraded to support pipeline programs such as ADCs, PDCs, and other cross modality compounds that require a more flexible potent compound processing space.

Education Minimum Requirement:
  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related engineering/scientific discipline with at least 2 years of relevant experience in a process development lab, pilot plant/manufacturing facility, or other operations environment.

- OR-
  • High school diploma with at least 6 years of relevant experience in a process development lab or pilot plant/manufacturing facility.


Required Experience and Skills:
  • Mechanical aptitude and familiarity with chemical process development and process equipment.
  • Supervising a team of shop floor personnel in an operations environment
  • Understanding of and experience with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), Good Documentation Practices (GDPs), and Safety & Environmental (S&E) regulations.
  • Experience operating/maintaining manufacturing scale, pilot scale, and/or lab scale equipment.
  • Effective communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
  • Experience in conflict resolution and root cause analyses.
  • Ability to build effective work relationships with a varied workforce.
  • Adaptable to a dynamic production environment.
  • Relevant experience in a process development lab or pilot plant/manufacturing facility.
  • As the building transitions towards equipment qualifications and operations must be able to rotate between 1st and 2nd shift on a weekly basis.
  • Desire and willingness to learn, contribute and lead.
  • Coordinating maintenance activities around processing activities to support reliable facility operation.
  • Working in an environment with Automation Systems (DeltaV, PLC, etc.).


Desired Experience and Skills:
  • GMP facility design, equipment start-up and/or qualification.
  • Small molecule drug substance and/or biologics process development.
  • Supporting compliance investigations and change management.
  • Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and/or Level of Protection Analysis (LOPA)
  • Potent Compound processing and containment systems (e.g., isolators).
  • Interacting with process utility system associated with a large drug substance pilot plant including WFI generation/distribution, Process Chillers, Vacuum Systems, etc.
  • Quality systems notifications, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Corrective Action Preventative Action (CAPA), quality change controls, and/or safety Management of Change (MOC).


Required Skills:
cGMP Guidelines, Competency Management, Corrective Action Management, Electronic Batch Records, Manpower Planning, Manufacturing Processes, Pilot Plant Operations, Process Engineering, Root Cause Identification, Root Cause Investigations, Troubleshooting

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Employee Status:
Regular

Relocation:
No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:
No

Travel Requirements:
10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:
Not Applicable

Shift:
Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:
No

Hazardous Material(s):
N/A

Job Posting End Date:
09/23/2026
*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.

Innovate and Lead

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.

Develop Your Skills

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.

Join Our Team

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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