Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Associate Director, Upstream Manufacturing Operations. This position will play a pivotal and critical role in the manufacture of biologics-based medicines at Biotech Dublin.

The role will involve leading the Upstream Manufacturing shift and days teams, ensuring that the plant operations are set up for success and enabling delivery of the manufacturing production schedule. The role ensures that all support activities are aligned to run operations effectively and efficiently. The team will be responsible for ensuring Biotech Dublin supports the network in the launch of large-scale biologics manufacture.

What you will do:

Bring your energy, knowledge, and innovation to:

• Lead, coach, support and develop a highly qualified team of the Upstream Shift Leads and days Operations Team.
• Participate in the generation of the site’s production plans. Ensure the Upstream Operation integrated process team deliver on the production plan.
• Drive the teams’ performance so that every individual understands their contribution and how it impacts the site.
• Drive operational and strategic planning and decision making during both sustaining operations and new product introduction (NPI) are executed with a focus on operational excellence.
• Lead and/or support site initiatives to improve compliance status and overall operational efficiency of the site.
• Consistently deliver on key performance metrics, e.g. Environment, Health and Safety metrics, Compliance, and budget performance.
• Drive a culture of Continuous Improvement by driving the deployment of lean manufacturing tools.
• Collaboration with Technical groups across the site and network, foster technical excellence to be a differentiating advantage.
• Participate and comply with the internal Quality Management Systems Environment, Health, and Safety System requirements.

What skills you will need:

• Degree level or higher-level qualification (preferably in Science or Engineering).
• Demonstrated leadership and change management skills with a continuous improvement focus.
• Have a proven record of delivering high performance through the development and coaching of a team.
• Proven people manager with a demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally.
• Experienced on meeting and tracking to schedules and embracing an interdependent working culture.
• At least eight years' experience in the pharmaceutical industry (preferably in Drug Substance & Cell Culture, with knowledge of inoculation, seed expansion and harvest of cell culture from single-use and stainless-steel bioreactor systems).
• Experience in product tech transfer of drug substance.
• Strong working knowledge of the management of GMP manufacturing activities, continuous improvement, and team development.
• Knowledge of and practice in applying Six Sigma and Lean methodologies.
• Desirable evidence of Continuous Professional Development.

We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world's most challenging healthcare needs.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. Please don't hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition Advisor assigned to this role should you need any support during our recruitment process.

So, if you are ready to:

Invent solutions to meet unmet healthcare needs, please apply today.

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

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:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Required Skills:

Biologics, Continuous Improvement, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Interpersonal Relationships, Lean Manufacturing, Management Process, Manufacturing, People Leadership, Process Improvements, Production Ramp Up, Production Scheduling, Strategic Thinking, Team Development, Technical Problem-Solving, Upstream Operations

Preferred Skills:

Job Posting End Date:

09/20/2025

*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.