Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement
Associate Director, Lean Transformation / Continuous Improvement (Business Consu
Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement, Elkton, Virginia, United States, 22827
Job Description
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. We are building a new kind of healthcare company that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us.
Manufacturing Division Overview The Manufacturing Division is committed to innovating and delivering life‑saving and affordable medicines and vaccines worldwide. With 43 sites, we manufacture and distribute critical vaccines, sterile products, biologics and animal health products to more than 140 countries. Our facilities and partners comprise an interdependent global manufacturing network designed to deliver compliant, reliable supply to customers on time, every time.
Production Systems (MPS) Associate Director – Key Activities
Partner with business unit leaders and their leadership teams to develop plans and execute performance improvement activities in line with organizational priorities.
Develop Lean management and people development plans and processes.
Utilize Lean tools, techniques and GMPS standards to diagnose, analyze and improve business processes.
Provide teaching and coaching to effectively transfer Lean skills into the organization for the development of Lean Leaders.
Self‑manage projects and teams, mitigate risks, allocate resources and drive on‑time completion of initiatives and deliver intended results.
Develop visual controls and effective management systems to make problems visible, respond with urgency, break down complex problems, lead root cause analysis and develop effective countermeasures (8‑Step Problem Solving is the working standard).
Build trust and develop new relationships with internal and external clients and coach senior leaders and E2E/IP Managers to collaborate and achieve successful outcomes at site, regional and global levels.
Leverage digital and data capabilities to properly measure, visualize and analyze information to support operations improvement.
Required Education and Experience
Bachelor of Science (BS) in a related field with eight (8) years of required experience.
Master of Science (MS) with six (6) years of required experience.
PhD with three (3) years of required experience.
Required Skills and Experience
Experience analyzing complex processes or end‑to‑end supply chains and driving timely process improvement.
Hands‑on application of Lean tools and techniques (standardized work, scientific problem solving, value stream mapping, mistake proofing, production leveling, SMED, 5S and Visual Factory).
Consultative skills: influence decision making and interact with all levels of the business (senior leaders to shop floor working teams).
Project management skills (demonstrated experience in managing large project teams).
Coaching/Teaching: proven experience in coaching and equipping others to apply Lean methods and tools.
Manufacturing Division Ways of Working: Win as One Team, Focus on What Matters, Act with Urgency, Experiment Learn & Adapt, Embrace Diversity & Inclusion, Speak Up & Be Open Minded.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Solid business acumen, team building skills, excellent listening skills, results oriented, strong analytical skills.
Experience in operations management, manufacturing or related disciplines.
Experience in a Vaccines or Sterile pharmaceutical environment.
Secondary degree in supply chain or business administration.
Extensive Lean application experience or deep understanding of the Toyota Production System (TPS).
Excellent skills using IT applications to organize and analyze data (MS‑Access, MS‑Excel, Minitab, Power BI).
Critical Enterprise Leadership Skills
Strategic Planning – guiding team success with flexible interpersonal style.
Networking and Partnerships – building and leveraging relationships across work groups to achieve results.
Execution Excellence – results focused, setting ambitious expectations and ensuring accountability against metrics.
Influence – effective persuasion strategies to gain acceptance of ideas and commitment to actions.
Change Catalyst – facilitating change and encouraging better approaches to problems and opportunities.
Required Skills – Broad Areas
Adaptability, Animal Vaccination, Business Case Development, Business Management, Business Processes, Change Management, Data Analysis Tools, Financial Management, Global Health, Leadership, Lean Design, Lean Management, Lean Manufacturing, Management Control Systems, Management Process, Open‑Mindedness, Operations Management, Pharmaceutical Industry, Process Improvement Plans, Process Improvements, Project Management, Results‑Oriented, Six Sigma, Strategic Planning.
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only Merck is committed to inclusion. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, MERCK provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits 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 characteristics. For U.S. federal contract employees, 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: EEOC Know Your Rights, EEOC GINA Supplement, and learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other U.S. State Acts.
Hybrid Work Model Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office‑based positions in the U.S. will be working a hybrid model consisting of three total days on‑site per week (Monday through Thursday). Friday is a remote‑working day unless business‑critical tasks require an on‑site presence. The hybrid work model does not apply to field‑based, facility‑based, manufacturing‑based, or research‑based positions where the work must be performed at a company site, positions covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement, or roles that have been designated as “remote.”
Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: $126,500.00 – $199,100.00. This represents the lowest to highest salary we believe would be paid for this role at the time of posting.
Eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive, if applicable.
Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, insurance benefits (employee and family), retirement benefits including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, compassionate and sick days. More information is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.
Application Instructions 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.
Locations
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 applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
Recruitment Agency Policy MERCK & Co., Inc. does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All resumes submitted by search firms without a valid written agreement for this position will be deemed the sole property of MERCK.
Job Posting End Date 01/20/2026
Other Details
Employee Status: Regular.
Relocation: Not specified.
Visa Sponsorship: Not specified.
Travel Requirements: Up to 75% travel.
Shift: Not specified.
Valid Driving License: Not specified.
Hazardous Material(s): Not specified.
Shift: Not applicable.
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Manufacturing Division Overview The Manufacturing Division is committed to innovating and delivering life‑saving and affordable medicines and vaccines worldwide. With 43 sites, we manufacture and distribute critical vaccines, sterile products, biologics and animal health products to more than 140 countries. Our facilities and partners comprise an interdependent global manufacturing network designed to deliver compliant, reliable supply to customers on time, every time.
Production Systems (MPS) Associate Director – Key Activities
Partner with business unit leaders and their leadership teams to develop plans and execute performance improvement activities in line with organizational priorities.
Develop Lean management and people development plans and processes.
Utilize Lean tools, techniques and GMPS standards to diagnose, analyze and improve business processes.
Provide teaching and coaching to effectively transfer Lean skills into the organization for the development of Lean Leaders.
Self‑manage projects and teams, mitigate risks, allocate resources and drive on‑time completion of initiatives and deliver intended results.
Develop visual controls and effective management systems to make problems visible, respond with urgency, break down complex problems, lead root cause analysis and develop effective countermeasures (8‑Step Problem Solving is the working standard).
Build trust and develop new relationships with internal and external clients and coach senior leaders and E2E/IP Managers to collaborate and achieve successful outcomes at site, regional and global levels.
Leverage digital and data capabilities to properly measure, visualize and analyze information to support operations improvement.
Required Education and Experience
Bachelor of Science (BS) in a related field with eight (8) years of required experience.
Master of Science (MS) with six (6) years of required experience.
PhD with three (3) years of required experience.
Required Skills and Experience
Experience analyzing complex processes or end‑to‑end supply chains and driving timely process improvement.
Hands‑on application of Lean tools and techniques (standardized work, scientific problem solving, value stream mapping, mistake proofing, production leveling, SMED, 5S and Visual Factory).
Consultative skills: influence decision making and interact with all levels of the business (senior leaders to shop floor working teams).
Project management skills (demonstrated experience in managing large project teams).
Coaching/Teaching: proven experience in coaching and equipping others to apply Lean methods and tools.
Manufacturing Division Ways of Working: Win as One Team, Focus on What Matters, Act with Urgency, Experiment Learn & Adapt, Embrace Diversity & Inclusion, Speak Up & Be Open Minded.
Preferred Skills and Experience
Solid business acumen, team building skills, excellent listening skills, results oriented, strong analytical skills.
Experience in operations management, manufacturing or related disciplines.
Experience in a Vaccines or Sterile pharmaceutical environment.
Secondary degree in supply chain or business administration.
Extensive Lean application experience or deep understanding of the Toyota Production System (TPS).
Excellent skills using IT applications to organize and analyze data (MS‑Access, MS‑Excel, Minitab, Power BI).
Critical Enterprise Leadership Skills
Strategic Planning – guiding team success with flexible interpersonal style.
Networking and Partnerships – building and leveraging relationships across work groups to achieve results.
Execution Excellence – results focused, setting ambitious expectations and ensuring accountability against metrics.
Influence – effective persuasion strategies to gain acceptance of ideas and commitment to actions.
Change Catalyst – facilitating change and encouraging better approaches to problems and opportunities.
Required Skills – Broad Areas
Adaptability, Animal Vaccination, Business Case Development, Business Management, Business Processes, Change Management, Data Analysis Tools, Financial Management, Global Health, Leadership, Lean Design, Lean Management, Lean Manufacturing, Management Control Systems, Management Process, Open‑Mindedness, Operations Management, Pharmaceutical Industry, Process Improvement Plans, Process Improvements, Project Management, Results‑Oriented, Six Sigma, Strategic Planning.
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only Merck is committed to inclusion. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, MERCK provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits 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 characteristics. For U.S. federal contract employees, 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: EEOC Know Your Rights, EEOC GINA Supplement, and learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other U.S. State Acts.
Hybrid Work Model Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office‑based positions in the U.S. will be working a hybrid model consisting of three total days on‑site per week (Monday through Thursday). Friday is a remote‑working day unless business‑critical tasks require an on‑site presence. The hybrid work model does not apply to field‑based, facility‑based, manufacturing‑based, or research‑based positions where the work must be performed at a company site, positions covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement, or roles that have been designated as “remote.”
Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: $126,500.00 – $199,100.00. This represents the lowest to highest salary we believe would be paid for this role at the time of posting.
Eligible for annual bonus and long‑term incentive, if applicable.
Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, insurance benefits (employee and family), retirement benefits including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, compassionate and sick days. More information is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.
Application Instructions 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.
Locations
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 applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
Recruitment Agency Policy MERCK & Co., Inc. does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All resumes submitted by search firms without a valid written agreement for this position will be deemed the sole property of MERCK.
Job Posting End Date 01/20/2026
Other Details
Employee Status: Regular.
Relocation: Not specified.
Visa Sponsorship: Not specified.
Travel Requirements: Up to 75% travel.
Shift: Not specified.
Valid Driving License: Not specified.
Hazardous Material(s): Not specified.
Shift: Not applicable.
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