Senior Specialist, Operations
Durham, NC - USA
Job Summary
Job Description
As part of our companys Vaccine Manufacturing Organization the Durham team is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as a Senior Operations Specialist within the Operations Manufacturing Support this role you must be able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment and be hands-on when called for by the situation. This role requires the ability to distill large quantities of complex data into simplified reporting and actionable measures strong problem-solving skills rapid disciplined decisions and prioritization of work. The position must also demonstrate strong collaboration and communication skills to enable interfacing with both internal contacts (site level) and external contacts (external customers sister sites vendors) to support these initiatives.
The position requires strong leadership technical writing and problem-solving skills. You will lead and/or support critical project initiatives at the site support the ongoing sterility assurance program and be involved in developing and implementing corrective actions. Enthusiasm for continuously learning is a requirement.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Supports the end-to-end product Value Stream Map driving production improvements inventory management cost reductions and standard work at the shop floor level.
Collaborates with Operations Technology and Quality to author regulatory inspection observation responses and completes remediation projects as required.
Assists shift managers in providing leadership to the production floor. Capable of providing primary leadership to team during extended periods of manager absence such as vacations
Serves as liaison between the team and support groups in resolving day to day issues and in support of various projects and initiatives including the tech transfer of new products
Author and own execution of Operations protocols
Develop and own Operations corrective actions
Author and revise Standard Operating Procedures
Support of internal and external regulatory inspections presenting on topics as needed.
Executes and manages Operations batch record review within established timelines for release and effectively liaisons with Quality to resolve comments in a timely manner
Day shift Operations representative for various site needs (Quality Assessments Process Simulation support etc.)
Leads/Supports production and quality projects and process system improvements
Lead problem-solving of real-time shop floor issues
Support investigations of process deviation events
Provide expertise to the production floor understanding the full process requirements (safety compliance equipment regulatory) in order to best understand and resolve production issues.
Works independently and is capable of balancing shifting priorities without introducing disruption to the organization. Capable of working through uncertainty with minimal levels of manager direction.
Potential to work on shift directly with an Operations team as needed for shop floor support.
Education Minimum Requirement
Bachelor Degree (science/chemical mechanical or electrical engineering preferred)
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Engineering (such as Chemical Mechanical Bio-Engineering Bio-Medical Engineering Industrial Engineering etc.) or Science Fields (such as Chemistry Biology Microbiology etc.) strongly preferred
Required Experience and Skills
Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience in a manufacturing technical or mechanical support role in a high-volume lean operation
Technical writing experience i.e. investigations change requests standard operating procedures batch records protocols.
Must be able to work both independently and within multi-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Experience and Skills
Sterile manufacturing shop floor experience highly preferred.
Working knowledge of cGMPs and of regulatory requirements as they apply to the vaccine/pharmaceutical industry.
Experience with formal problem-solving techniques and a hands-on approach to problem-solving such as root cause analysis and/or Lean Six Sigma tools.
Experience using inventory management and maintenance planning software (MRP/ERP) such as SAP automated control systems and electronic batch record systems.
Experience managing against metrics and scorecards in a business environment.
Experience with presenting to an internal / regulatory auditor.
Advanced knowledge of Excel Minitab JMP and/or Statistical analysis.
Six Sigma certification.
Required Skills:
Analytical Problem Solving cGMP Compliance Collaboration Competency Management Corrective Action Management Data Analysis Decision Making Manufacturing Processes Operations Support Process Improvements Production Scheduling Regulatory Management Root Cause Identification Site Operations Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Technical Writing Training and Development Vaccine Manufacturing Working IndependentlyPreferred Skills:
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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.
As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race color age religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin protected veteran status disability status or other applicable legally protected a federal contractor we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws visit:
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The salary range for this role is
$96200.00 - $151400.00This 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 can apply for this role through (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:
RegularRelocation:
DomesticVISA Sponsorship:
NoTravel Requirements:
No Travel RequiredFlexible Work Arrangements:
Not ApplicableShift:
1st - DayValid Driving License:
NoHazardous Material(s):
n/aJob Posting End Date:
08/27/2026*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.
Required Experience:
Senior IC
About Company
Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA is known as “Merck” in the United States, Canada & Puerto Rico. We are known as “MSD” in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America & Asia Pacific. We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a diverse portfolio of prescription medicine ... View more