Job Description

Description:

The Learning & Development Senior Specialist will design and ensure delivery of a fully integrated training ecosystem to support startup and operation of a new aseptic manufacturing facility, including lyophilization, sterile filling, and enabling functions such as engineering and maintenance.

The role also serves as a liaison to external education and training providers, ensuring local programs align with the sites technical and GMP capability needs.

Position Responsibilities:

The primary focus of the L&D Senior Specialist is to:

- Develop and execute a facility L&D strategy aligned to startup, commissioning, and operational ramp-up.

- Build structured learning pathways translating complex systems into practical training for operators and technical staff:

• Manufacturing (aseptic processing, lyophilisation, visual inspection)

• Engineering (process, automation, CQV)

• Maintenance (asset care, calibration, GMP interventions)

• Quality and enabling functions

- Align training with asset lifecycle phases (design 12 CQV 12 operations).

- Co-develop curricula with OEM , subject matter experts and academic partners aligned to:facility start up and commercial manufacturing

- Leverage OEMs and vendors for specialized technical training content.

- Establish and manage partnerships with local colleges, universities, and technical institute to strengthen employer brand and attract talent.

- Embed training into FAT/SAT, commissioning, and PPQ phases.

- Capture knowledge from:

• OEM vendors

• Commissioning and qualification activities

• Tech transfer SMEs

- Strengthen a culture where technical competence underpins compliance and performance.

- Other duties as assigned

Competencies:

• Influencing: Ability to partner, collaborate, and impact decisions within the organization

• Interpersonal Relationships: Demonstrated skill in applying approaches, tools, and techniques for working with individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner

• Oral and Written Communications: Ability to express oneself to provide information to others effectively and in a succinct manner; advanced verbal, written, and presentation abilities; ability to ask thoughtful questions to gain insights, listen, and understand other perspectives

• Decision Making and Critical Thinking: Ability to make problems visible, propose viable solutions, and capitalize on opportunities.

Qualifications & Experience:

Required:

• Bachelors degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Education, or related field

• Five (5)+ years of relevant Learning & Development experience

• Experience in GMP-regulated environments

• Experience developing technical training programs

• Strong stakeholder engagement (internal and external)

• L&D Program design with scalability and sustainability

Preferred:

• Experience working with academic or workforce development partners

• Greenfield/startup facility experience

• Ability to translate complex systems into effective learning

• Adult Learning: Theory and Practice: Experience in applying concepts and practices of adult learning to meet the dynamic needs of the business

• Learning Needs Analysis: Proven experience in assessing competency gaps and identifying what people need to learn for successful individual and organizational performance

GAHM-ILC

Required Skills:

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

The salary range for this role is

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employees position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

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:

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.